Aa
Herpes
Good morning Doctor:
I posted in the HIV forum not long ago. My concern now shifts to herpes: Here's an estimated timeline of events.
Late February/Early March: Diagnosed w/BV and prescribed Flagyl
Mid-Late April: Experienced vaginal soreness immediately after sex (prolonged--over an hour and rough) and soreness and intense vaginal itching the very next day. Purchased Monistat and symptoms subsided w/in one week. At this point, I was became concerted about herpes, so I examined myself and didn't notice any lesions, cuts, or blisters. There was no pain during urination. My vagina was extremely red and swollen on the inside.
Late April/Early May: Had some back pain and pain during urination. I had experienced a UTI and thought it was this so I went in for an examination. Urine test was negative but positive by culture for UTI. (It think the Dr. said my culture grew a bacteria called protesa or protese) I was prescribed Cipro for 10 days.
Fast forward to now. I have been experiencing more mild vaginal itching accompanied by a white/grey discharge. (I think it may be BV or another yeast infection again) I examined myself and noticed two dark colored bumps on my Perineum (I think that's what the area between the opening of the vagina and anus is called). They are kind of hard to the touch and don't appear to be blisters or filled with fluid though I cannot tell because I can't get a closer look. (Think look similar to moles) I am not sure how long they have been there. They are not painful to the touch and I have attempted to pop them without success. I have no burning during urination and there are no other blisters, bumps, or lesions. I have an appointment with my OB/GYN next week. My question to you is; does this sound like herpes to you? Do you recommend testing for Herpes?
I posted in the HIV forum not long ago. My concern now shifts to herpes: Here's an estimated timeline of events.
Late February/Early March: Diagnosed w/BV and prescribed Flagyl
Mid-Late April: Experienced vaginal soreness immediately after sex (prolonged--over an hour and rough) and soreness and intense vaginal itching the very next day. Purchased Monistat and symptoms subsided w/in one week. At this point, I was became concerted about herpes, so I examined myself and didn't notice any lesions, cuts, or blisters. There was no pain during urination. My vagina was extremely red and swollen on the inside.
Late April/Early May: Had some back pain and pain during urination. I had experienced a UTI and thought it was this so I went in for an examination. Urine test was negative but positive by culture for UTI. (It think the Dr. said my culture grew a bacteria called protesa or protese) I was prescribed Cipro for 10 days.
Fast forward to now. I have been experiencing more mild vaginal itching accompanied by a white/grey discharge. (I think it may be BV or another yeast infection again) I examined myself and noticed two dark colored bumps on my Perineum (I think that's what the area between the opening of the vagina and anus is called). They are kind of hard to the touch and don't appear to be blisters or filled with fluid though I cannot tell because I can't get a closer look. (Think look similar to moles) I am not sure how long they have been there. They are not painful to the touch and I have attempted to pop them without success. I have no burning during urination and there are no other blisters, bumps, or lesions. I have an appointment with my OB/GYN next week. My question to you is; does this sound like herpes to you? Do you recommend testing for Herpes?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
A number of treatments are available and recommended to speed resolution of genital warts. But don't worry about that now -- cross that bridge if and when you come to it. Let me know what your doctor says next week.
Thanks! I noticed the bumps Monday night. Today is now Wednesday and they have gone unchanged... Good sign I guess. I will continue to monitor them and report anything to my gyno next week.
Question about warts: If this does turn out to be a case of warts, is there some type of treatment for it, or is it something that eventually resolves on its own?
Thanks for all your help!
Question about warts: If this does turn out to be a case of warts, is there some type of treatment for it, or is it something that eventually resolves on its own?
Thanks for all your help!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the STD forum. I'll try to help.
You don't describe any symptoms that raise any serious suspicion of herpes. One of the problems with online symptom advice for STDs (or any other health problem, really) is that most problems have many possible symptoms -- and a listing of every possibility always includes many symptoms that are nonspecific, i.e. do not really distinguish disease X from problem Y.
In this case, you probably have seen lists of herpes symptoms that include itching, genital skin bumps, vaginal discharge, etc; and you might have found information that says herpes can be confused with yeast infections, other vaginal infections, UTI, and a number of other conditions. While all these are true, it is also true that the vast majority of people with the sorts of symptoms you describe have explanations other than herpes. For example, herpes lesions may itch -- but itching alone is rarely evidence of herpes. And some herpes lesions may first appear as skin "bumps", but then they rapidly turn into open, tender sores; a bump that persists unchanged for more than a couple days can't be herpes. And a UTI with a positive culture for a typical non-STD bacteria, like yours, cannot be mixed up with herpes. And so on.
A common cause of genital bumps is genital warts. In any case, this is something your doctor should be able to accurately diagnose on the spot. Even if it turns out to be warts, don't panic; it's an extremely common, minor inconvenience, not a serious health event.
So based on your description, I see no need for testing for herpes. However, you should have a discussion like this one with your gynecologist then follow his or her advice about it. Even without specific symptoms to suggest herpes, sometimes people benefit from a blood test just to know for sure. In other words, if you would sleep better knowing you have had a negative test for HSV-2, discuss it with your doctor. However, there are downsides. You could find out you have it (although not the explanation for your symptoms), which could be distressing; or you could have a test result that is difficult to interpret -- the available tests are good but not perfect.
In the meantime, I don't think you should worried in the least about herpes.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You don't describe any symptoms that raise any serious suspicion of herpes. One of the problems with online symptom advice for STDs (or any other health problem, really) is that most problems have many possible symptoms -- and a listing of every possibility always includes many symptoms that are nonspecific, i.e. do not really distinguish disease X from problem Y.
In this case, you probably have seen lists of herpes symptoms that include itching, genital skin bumps, vaginal discharge, etc; and you might have found information that says herpes can be confused with yeast infections, other vaginal infections, UTI, and a number of other conditions. While all these are true, it is also true that the vast majority of people with the sorts of symptoms you describe have explanations other than herpes. For example, herpes lesions may itch -- but itching alone is rarely evidence of herpes. And some herpes lesions may first appear as skin "bumps", but then they rapidly turn into open, tender sores; a bump that persists unchanged for more than a couple days can't be herpes. And a UTI with a positive culture for a typical non-STD bacteria, like yours, cannot be mixed up with herpes. And so on.
A common cause of genital bumps is genital warts. In any case, this is something your doctor should be able to accurately diagnose on the spot. Even if it turns out to be warts, don't panic; it's an extremely common, minor inconvenience, not a serious health event.
So based on your description, I see no need for testing for herpes. However, you should have a discussion like this one with your gynecologist then follow his or her advice about it. Even without specific symptoms to suggest herpes, sometimes people benefit from a blood test just to know for sure. In other words, if you would sleep better knowing you have had a negative test for HSV-2, discuss it with your doctor. However, there are downsides. You could find out you have it (although not the explanation for your symptoms), which could be distressing; or you could have a test result that is difficult to interpret -- the available tests are good but not perfect.
In the meantime, I don't think you should worried in the least about herpes.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
