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STDs (Expert Forum)
Herpes or Vulvodynia?
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
Welcome to the STD Forum, which is intended only for questions and support pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV/AIDS, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus, genital warts, trichomonas, other vaginal infections, nongonoccal urethritis (NGU), cervicitis, molluscum contagiosum, chancroid, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
Herpes or Vulvodynia?
by maryjane1975, Mar 09, 2007 12:00AM
About 3.5 years ago I got a new boyfriend. After we had sex, he told me that a few weeks prior to use getting together, he recieved unprotected oral sex from a female friend who he said was clean.
Well, soon after we had sex, I started to get all sorts of problems "down there". I have a history of yeast infections, but a few weeks after we had sex, I got a severe case of one. As well, I was diagnosed with PCOS (which I know is unrelated). But over the past 3 years, I've been getting what I can best describe as "irritations", in that my vagina area is very itchy. It used to be like that for a week at a time, but now it's subsided to maybe twice a month for a day or too.
Other than the rash that I got once from the severe yeast infection, I never noticed any visible "lesions". I get regular pap smears, and have been tested for all STD except herpes.
I don't think it is herpes, I just want some thought on this.I have a feeling that it could be vulvodynia, but no doctor can confirm this of course. My doctor and dermatologist say that I just have sensitive skin, and sensitive nerve endings in my vaginal area.
I should also note that other than my boyfriends oral sex encounter, we've both only been with each other.
Could his oral sex episode be causing any of this? Or is it just a coincidence?
Well, soon after we had sex, I started to get all sorts of problems "down there". I have a history of yeast infections, but a few weeks after we had sex, I got a severe case of one. As well, I was diagnosed with PCOS (which I know is unrelated). But over the past 3 years, I've been getting what I can best describe as "irritations", in that my vagina area is very itchy. It used to be like that for a week at a time, but now it's subsided to maybe twice a month for a day or too.
Other than the rash that I got once from the severe yeast infection, I never noticed any visible "lesions". I get regular pap smears, and have been tested for all STD except herpes.
I don't think it is herpes, I just want some thought on this.I have a feeling that it could be vulvodynia, but no doctor can confirm this of course. My doctor and dermatologist say that I just have sensitive skin, and sensitive nerve endings in my vaginal area.
I should also note that other than my boyfriends oral sex encounter, we've both only been with each other.
Could his oral sex episode be causing any of this? Or is it just a coincidence?
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Mar 11, 2007 12:00AM
, Mar 11, 2007 12:00AM
To All Forum Users:
There was a software glitch and for several days a number of questions were misrouted to a server that did not post them properly. In addition, it appears that the automated limit to number of questions each day did not work properly. The result is a serious backlog. My replies to many questions will be briefer than usual, and I need to be very strict in following the rules about questions that duplicate others, especially for obvious low risk situations. You may use the Contact Us link to raise any concerns. Please note that it is not the moderator's decision whether or not to refund a credit card charge.
Also, I probably will not be able to respond to any follow-up comments or questions.
To your question:
I agree that the nonspecific symptoms you describe don't sound like herpes. It sounds to me like your doctor and dermatologist are correct; I suggest you continue your care with them and follow their advice. There is no reason to suspect your symptoms have anything to do with your BF's oral sex encounter a few weeks before you got together; I'm sure they do not.
Goode luck-- HHH, MD
There was a software glitch and for several days a number of questions were misrouted to a server that did not post them properly. In addition, it appears that the automated limit to number of questions each day did not work properly. The result is a serious backlog. My replies to many questions will be briefer than usual, and I need to be very strict in following the rules about questions that duplicate others, especially for obvious low risk situations. You may use the Contact Us link to raise any concerns. Please note that it is not the moderator's decision whether or not to refund a credit card charge.
Also, I probably will not be able to respond to any follow-up comments or questions.
To your question:
I agree that the nonspecific symptoms you describe don't sound like herpes. It sounds to me like your doctor and dermatologist are correct; I suggest you continue your care with them and follow their advice. There is no reason to suspect your symptoms have anything to do with your BF's oral sex encounter a few weeks before you got together; I'm sure they do not.
Goode luck-- HHH, MD
Member Comments (2)
by maryjane1975, Mar 12, 2007 12:00AM
Thanks... even though we're both clear of STD's is there any kind of bacteria he could have gotten from here that he's passed to me?
