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Vaginal Cuts and Herpes
Grace,
I have recently been diagnosed with Herpes 1 (not a suprise) and Herpes 2. Since then, I have poured over the doctors and others comments on false positives, symptoms (or lack there of), etc. I have been married for the 10 years and with my husband for 13 and feel very strongly that he has not cheated on me. So I'm figuring if I do indeed have it, then I've had it for at least 13 years. I'm definitely coming to terms with it after the inital shock, but there are many questions still lingering based on all that I've read and understand about this very complex STD. Here's my "story": For many years, I have struggled with "paper cuts" in my labial folds (always right on the crease)that have seemingly become more frequent and more uncomfortable in the past few years. Some heal quickly, others not so fast. During these times, my labia is often swollen, the interior red and it is often accompanied by itching. My husband, on the other hand, has never had a noticeable outbreak. My husband told his Doc that he may have been exposed, but was told if he's never had an outbreak than he doesn't have it so don't worry abou getting tested. We're going to test him anyway through my doctor, but here are my questions and test results from the Herpes Select Test.
Results: Herpe 1- 5.2, Herpes 2- 3.0
1) Does it seem strange that my husband hasn't had a noticeable outbreak after all these years?
2) If he tests negative, would it make my positive result more likely to be a false positive after 10+ years of unprotected sex?
3) Why, if the tendency is to have less outbreaks over time, do I seem to be having more? (Do my kids really give me that much stress?? :)
4) Should I be retested along with my husband or just wait for his results to come back and then decide?
I have recently been diagnosed with Herpes 1 (not a suprise) and Herpes 2. Since then, I have poured over the doctors and others comments on false positives, symptoms (or lack there of), etc. I have been married for the 10 years and with my husband for 13 and feel very strongly that he has not cheated on me. So I'm figuring if I do indeed have it, then I've had it for at least 13 years. I'm definitely coming to terms with it after the inital shock, but there are many questions still lingering based on all that I've read and understand about this very complex STD. Here's my "story": For many years, I have struggled with "paper cuts" in my labial folds (always right on the crease)that have seemingly become more frequent and more uncomfortable in the past few years. Some heal quickly, others not so fast. During these times, my labia is often swollen, the interior red and it is often accompanied by itching. My husband, on the other hand, has never had a noticeable outbreak. My husband told his Doc that he may have been exposed, but was told if he's never had an outbreak than he doesn't have it so don't worry abou getting tested. We're going to test him anyway through my doctor, but here are my questions and test results from the Herpes Select Test.
Results: Herpe 1- 5.2, Herpes 2- 3.0
1) Does it seem strange that my husband hasn't had a noticeable outbreak after all these years?
2) If he tests negative, would it make my positive result more likely to be a false positive after 10+ years of unprotected sex?
3) Why, if the tendency is to have less outbreaks over time, do I seem to be having more? (Do my kids really give me that much stress?? :)
4) Should I be retested along with my husband or just wait for his results to come back and then decide?
I am so darn over it too after having these irritations for so long. Let's stick together and get eachother through this, eh??
Yeah, I hear ya. It does seem funny how I'm the one researching all this and he's like, "Hey, whatever, if I have it, I have it! Not like I'm going anywhere. We're in it together for the long haul". Meanwhile, I'm spending hours on the computer finding out as much as I can. Maybe its because I'm having the "issues" and he's not!
These forums have been helpful both for information and realizing that you're not the only one. Wish it didn't have such a social stigma. ISure does help to know there's people out there that you can talk to about it. Hang in there.
These forums have been helpful both for information and realizing that you're not the only one. Wish it didn't have such a social stigma. ISure does help to know there's people out there that you can talk to about it. Hang in there.
Some gals really are miserable with gbs - I'm sure it didn't help with all your issues down yonder that's for sure :( Having constant vaginal infections can really weaken the skin too.
I like millenium lube - I got a sample of it at the last cdc std conference and really like it and actually need to order some more of it. I've tried eros but it didn't seem to last as long. I know some folks like jo lube but I"ve never tried it ( different from joe lube ). I have some samples here from Joe lube but I haven't tried them yet ( their condom packages are really cool ! ). Maybe if I could get a volunteer I could do a science experiment for ya? he he he
grace
I like millenium lube - I got a sample of it at the last cdc std conference and really like it and actually need to order some more of it. I've tried eros but it didn't seem to last as long. I know some folks like jo lube but I"ve never tried it ( different from joe lube ). I have some samples here from Joe lube but I haven't tried them yet ( their condom packages are really cool ! ). Maybe if I could get a volunteer I could do a science experiment for ya? he he he
grace
And one more thing in response to whether they've been checking for other infections. Yes, indeed they have. Over the past two years, I've had trouble with Group B Strep rearing its ugly head. (yes, that strep that most people only worry about when they're pregnant...and I'm not, but did test positive for it when I WAS pregnant). Apparently, lab tests revealed I had rather high levels of GBS when I went in to get checked for what was ailing me. It didn't really present itself as yeast-nor did it clear up with a diflucan- so that's when they went for the other bacterial and GBS testing. Sometimes I wonder how much of the itching was due to the GBS and how much to the HSV. Yes, my Vuh-J-J (as Oprah would say) has been a mess the past couple of years. Seems to have gotten bent out of shape after placing an IUD (which is now out). Wish I knew why my body is reacting the way it is...
Grace,
Thanks so much for your input. It does sound like that story could be mine! ugh. I guess there's just no rhyme or reason to this STD. Just have to learn how to manage it and move on! Sounds weird, but I'm hoping my hubby is positive so we don't have to worry about transmission. Do you have any recommendations for lube? The KY doesn't work all that well IMO.
Again, thank you...I'll keep you posted on the hubby's results.
J
Thanks so much for your input. It does sound like that story could be mine! ugh. I guess there's just no rhyme or reason to this STD. Just have to learn how to manage it and move on! Sounds weird, but I'm hoping my hubby is positive so we don't have to worry about transmission. Do you have any recommendations for lube? The KY doesn't work all that well IMO.
Again, thank you...I'll keep you posted on the hubby's results.
J
I wish I had the contact info for one of the old reg's over on the webmd herpes board - you would think her story was your own!! She too over the years had mild issues down yonder and after about 12-13 years of being married they started getting more frequent. she asked her doc to test her for herpes and he said no way no how don't worry about it. Next month she's back again - test me for herpes and he's the same way. Finally after her bugging him enough he tested her and lo and behold - she was hsv2+. Hubby got tested and he was negative so she knew she had had it since before she met him. To this day he's still hsv2 negative as far as I know.
I would recommend daily suppressive therapy - the 1gm a day ( or 500mg twice a day ) dose if you are going to use valtrex. Your symptoms are frequent so you need the higher dose. Don't even mess around with episodic therapy for now since you get so little bang for your buck out of it in general. Meanwhile get your hubby tested too so you know if you have to be concerned about transmission or not. No symptoms doesn't mean no infection.
If you are still having symptoms while on the daily suppressive therapy then it's time for a further work up. I assume they've been testing you for yeast and bacterial infections? Also sometimes as we get older or because of our hormones ( or being on the pill ) our genital skin thins out and breaks more easily. You can try topical estrogens to help restore the skin and make it stronger again. Also lube, lube and more lube - it's well worth going onling and getting a good quality lube instead of ky or even astroglide.
Ob's don't always get less over time unfortunately ( HHH will argue with me on this one but there's research to back up what I say so I stand by it 100% ). Also changes in our bodies can often trigger more frequent recurrences too. And if the kids don't stress us out - the hubby will ;)
Hopefully you can get to the bottom of all this soon and get some relief and go back to feeling "normal" down yonder again :)
grace
I would recommend daily suppressive therapy - the 1gm a day ( or 500mg twice a day ) dose if you are going to use valtrex. Your symptoms are frequent so you need the higher dose. Don't even mess around with episodic therapy for now since you get so little bang for your buck out of it in general. Meanwhile get your hubby tested too so you know if you have to be concerned about transmission or not. No symptoms doesn't mean no infection.
If you are still having symptoms while on the daily suppressive therapy then it's time for a further work up. I assume they've been testing you for yeast and bacterial infections? Also sometimes as we get older or because of our hormones ( or being on the pill ) our genital skin thins out and breaks more easily. You can try topical estrogens to help restore the skin and make it stronger again. Also lube, lube and more lube - it's well worth going onling and getting a good quality lube instead of ky or even astroglide.
Ob's don't always get less over time unfortunately ( HHH will argue with me on this one but there's research to back up what I say so I stand by it 100% ). Also changes in our bodies can often trigger more frequent recurrences too. And if the kids don't stress us out - the hubby will ;)
Hopefully you can get to the bottom of all this soon and get some relief and go back to feeling "normal" down yonder again :)
grace
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You are reading content posted in the STDs / STIs Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
