Paranoid about STD

[F.M.T.]

First of all, the last time I had sex was in August, and I have never had any symptoms of an STD.  I shave my pubic hair, or use cream hair removers on my bikini line often, and I tend to get ingrown hairs (or folliculitis?).  Well, I wouldn't be that concerned, but I guess b/c of paranoia I have been examining myself a lot lately.  I have some pimple-looking bumps again that have been present for a few weeks.  Some are single, but a few are somewhat close together, but not touching.  They are only in my hairline, and just look like pimples.  They are not changing and do not hurt, or appear to be blisters of any sort. I know I need to see a gyno anyway, but I am a college kid and broke at the moment, so I just wanted to know if this could be something bad?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Neither your description of the lesions or their location suggests an STD; no STD manifests itself primarily in the hair-bearing areas (except molluscum contagiosum, which this doesn't sound like).  Most likely you just have a variation on the folliculitis you describe--perhaps ingrown hairs, a common result of shaving in the pubic area.  (When shaved to the skin level, naturally curly hairs often fail to emerge and burrow downward as they grow.)

Don't worry about the STD risks, but see a health care provider if the problem continues.

Good luck--  HHH, MD