Herpes and misdiagnosis

[caad]

Thank you in advance!

- October 1st exboyfried and I had std screen (HIV,Herpes,Syphillis-blood test- everything came back negative).
We engaged in unprotected sex ( I performed oral also)
- November 15- same thing again.
A week later got a bump on the outer vagina lip next to it was about 3 smaller bumps that looked like a boil- wasnt worried b/c I remove pubic hair alot. They went away in week. Some external itching occurred a week later-I wasnt worried because it happened before.

On Dec.23, started experiencing pain and burning in vaginal area. On Jan.9 got tested for everything and everything came back negative except I was positive for HSV1 and negative for HSV2. Doc gave me yeast cream, but burning and pain still persist. So, I went to PCP and was examined, she did a culture for herpes, but it came back negative. And she said it doesnt sound like herpes, but I still have been burning consistenly for the last three months and it intensifies during my period.

Does this sound like herpes or can it be vulvodynia even though I am African American?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You don't describe anything that makes me particularly concerned about herpes.  You don't say what herpes test was done when tested in October; if that included an HSV-1 blood test that was negative, it seems likely you acquired HSV-1 sometime between October and January.  But even so, that doesn't necessarily explain your genital symptoms.  'Burning consistently' for 3 months isn't a typical symptom of genital herpes.

Of course it could be vulvodynia.  To my knowledge idiopathic vulvodynia has no relationship to race or ethnicity.

Follow up with your provider if symptoms persist.  Or if uncertain of her expertise, ask for referral to an ObG who also specializes in infectious diseases.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[monkeyflower]

Of course African Americans can have vulvodynia. In fact, the rates are pretty much the same.

I think it's pretty clear you don't have a STD (that HSV1 result is probably just oral herpes, which many people contract during childhood and is NOT a STD). You might consider seeing a pelvic pain specialist. It's a subset of gynecology, and while they're not always easy to find, it's apparently well worth the effort. You'll probably have an easier time finding one if you live in a big city and/or near a teaching hospital.  

[petrified]

FYI, as an Vulvodynia sufferer myself..........I would highly recommend going to the following site www.nva.org

It's a wonderful site and will explain what Vulvodynia is and you may get peace of mind.  You can also subscribe and they'll let you know providers in your area that specialize.

Good luck!

[caad]

In October, I took the blood test that identifies HSV antibodies and tested negative. However, in Jan, I took the same test and tested positive for HSV1. In my research, I have found that HSV1 can cause genital herpes, can cause mild or even no symptoms and at times is extremely hard to diagnos. I just want to make sure my doctors are not missing anything. I honestly thought my symptoms sounded a lot like herpes sympotms described on the internet. Thanks for the clarification.