yeast infection, herpes or something else?

[wantostayhealthy]

I had unprotected sex about a month and a half ago, then protected sex last weekend.  the next couple days, my vagina started to itch and swell and looked red...  i felt a surge of guilt and fear and got an appointment with a doctor and she said "it doesn't look like herpes but u had a red bump so I'll take a test for herpes," took my blood, and prescribed me some yeast infection cream. (I believe steroids?)  That was 5 days, ago, and though the swell looks a lot better, it still stings a little and is uncomfortable. (Slightly itchy?) Showers with soap hurt and irritate too.  I'm not sure if I should stop taking the cream, or if there is ANYTHING I can do to feel better....  I wish the results would come in sooner than 2 weeks!  Shall I see the doctor again?  Is this herpes???  Or anything else???

[wantostayhealthy]

Oh!  I meant, I actually did get a biopsy in April for my cervix.  But you are so right with your advice - I should call my doctor again!  
Thank you;)

[auntiejessi]

It might be a good idea to just get it biopsied to see what it is.  If its nothing serious, at least you'll know, right?

Aj

[wantostayhealthy]

i don't know why im having so many problems down there lately, but the little bump i saw before is still there.  it multiplied to three, then two disappeared, then one appeared again.  is this cancer??  i had a colposcopy for cervical cancer in april and it was okay.  it's just really odd and i was wondering if i need to make another appointment with my doctor right away?

[auntiejessi]

Congrats!!

Aj

[wantostayhealthy]

Thank you so much 'auntiejesse'!!!  My culture test came back negative and it turns out it was just a yeast infection afterall. (My doctor decided I should take a blood test too just to be sure - because somehow, the lab made a mistake and just tested my blood for hiv - but she says only to be 100% sure, so hopefully, not something to worry about.)  I'm so relieved, and at the same time, I realized how easy it is for someone to make a mistake one time and end up with consequences that are hard to deal with..... :(.  I got lucky this time, but have to promise myself NEVER to put myself in such a position again! What a lesson.  

Thank you again for being so kind in reassuring me over the internet, even though you don't even know who I am!!  It was a TREMENDOUS help emotionally to be able to reach out and have someone respond so quickly and in a thoughful, sensitive way..... (especially since much of it was about my emotional state than what was physically going on with my body!)

A big sigh of relief....

[auntiejessi]

I know - its horrible to wait.  It really just depends on the lab, and how they report the results back to the doctor.

It wouldn't hurt to call and check on them.  Sometimes they come back sooner.

And I'm glad you are feeling better.

Aj

[wantostayhealthy]

I feel a lot better down there... but still have to wait another week for my results.  Why do these tests take so long?  Such a horrible feeling to be so worried....

[wantostayhealthy]

Thank you "auntiejessi"!  I actually feel LOTS better after not using soap....  Had no idea my body had a "self-cleaning" function... sort of amazing.

I really appreciate the thoughful posts.  Thank you so much.

[auntiejessi]

Technically, you don't need soap.  The vagina is like a self-cleaning oven, and all the good and bad bacteria will do its thing and keep itself healthy.  You can always just use a washcloth and wipe the area to keep it clean.

Under the skin isn't herpes.  You probably have a small cyst there, which isn't uncommon.

Aj

[wantostayhealthy]

Thank you for your comment!  You're right, I should stop using the soap, since I think it hurts everytime I use it now.  I did get tested for all the STDs and HIV(came out neg., thank god.) as well.  

I just noticed that about an hour ago, a bump developed further away from my vaginal area.  Like  a little caper under the skin.  It doesn't hurt or anything, but it's there. Yikes.

Aside from the umcomfortableness, (is that even a word??) mostly, I feel rather irresponsible for having unprotected sex, which feeds my worries that it could be something really bad.  

I guess this is tmi for everyone, but it helps to write about it to someone... sorry.  and thank you again for taking the time to write your comment, 'emma_08"

[Emma_08]

You did the right thing by going to the doctor after your symptoms started.  The viral culture will tell you whether or not your symptoms or due to herpes (it is the most accurate form of testing).  I would finish the cream for the yeast infection, just in case that is what is going on.  My advice would be to wait for your test results and also test for other STDs, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea because you had unprotected sex.  Try to avoid using soap in the genital region, as it can make your current irritation even worse.
Good luck,
Em