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Severe itching in vagina--yeast infection or STI?
Hello Doctors,
I have read a few posts on this forum and really appreciate all that you do.
I had unprotected sex with someone one month ago who claimed to have gotten tested for STDs recently and have no new partners since. He also said there was no known concern for herpes. He is a close friend of a best friend. I had tested negative for all STIs except for herpes prior to this encounter. Three weeks after, I re-screened for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trich and was negative. Our interaction was mostly genital rubbing, oral/manual stimulation, and then only a couple of minutes of penetration.
After the encounter, I admit to being very paranoid. I was a bit itchy and sore afterward (likely from the excessive stimulation?), but there were no sores.
I have a history of yeast infections, and one week ago, I started to have a thicker, white discharge with itching. I took a Diflucan on Thursday. This usually provides relief, however, it hasn't yet. I got a herpes blood test on Friday (only one month past exposure) and it was negative for both HSV I and II (IgG <0.90). I still am experiencing vaginal burning and discharge and noticed one small red tear near the vaginal entrance.
My question for you is if I had acquired HSV from this, do you think I would've had an equivocal or low positive by one month? I can't help but panic at what I would usually consider usual for me in terms of yeast and have read that HSV can be atypical and not always blisters. Urine does not burn and actually provides relief. I'm usually very careful and so this is causing me some stress. Also, do you think I have any need to test for syphilis, hepatitis, or HIV? My partner in question is a heterosexual male in his late twenties or early thirties. I believe I have had the series of hepatitis vaccines.
Thank you so much! Sorry if this is too lengthy.
I have read a few posts on this forum and really appreciate all that you do.
I had unprotected sex with someone one month ago who claimed to have gotten tested for STDs recently and have no new partners since. He also said there was no known concern for herpes. He is a close friend of a best friend. I had tested negative for all STIs except for herpes prior to this encounter. Three weeks after, I re-screened for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trich and was negative. Our interaction was mostly genital rubbing, oral/manual stimulation, and then only a couple of minutes of penetration.
After the encounter, I admit to being very paranoid. I was a bit itchy and sore afterward (likely from the excessive stimulation?), but there were no sores.
I have a history of yeast infections, and one week ago, I started to have a thicker, white discharge with itching. I took a Diflucan on Thursday. This usually provides relief, however, it hasn't yet. I got a herpes blood test on Friday (only one month past exposure) and it was negative for both HSV I and II (IgG <0.90). I still am experiencing vaginal burning and discharge and noticed one small red tear near the vaginal entrance.
My question for you is if I had acquired HSV from this, do you think I would've had an equivocal or low positive by one month? I can't help but panic at what I would usually consider usual for me in terms of yeast and have read that HSV can be atypical and not always blisters. Urine does not burn and actually provides relief. I'm usually very careful and so this is causing me some stress. Also, do you think I have any need to test for syphilis, hepatitis, or HIV? My partner in question is a heterosexual male in his late twenties or early thirties. I believe I have had the series of hepatitis vaccines.
Thank you so much! Sorry if this is too lengthy.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
Responding first to the title alone: STDs rarely cause significant itching. Based on that fact alone, a yeast infection would be a lot more likely.
Now having read the details: As you seem to understand, new herpes would generally cause multiple painful sores; itching is rarely the prominent symptom. The notion of atypical herpes symptoms mimicking yeast really isn't pertinent. That comes up when someone has newly diagnosed herpes (usually by blood test), can't remember an initial outbreak, but then says "well, a few months ago I had some itching; I just thought it was a yeast infection and didn't think much of it." In retrospect, that symptom could have been herpes. But had she looked more closely at the time, if that episode in fact were herpes, more typical signs (e.g., blisters, open sores etc) probably would have been seen.
That said, it is also true that most yeast infections would respond promtply to fluconazole (Diflucan). Some yeast infections are resistant to this class of drugs, however. And of course other things cause genital itching, e.g. allergy to a vaginal hygiene product. The only STD that comes to mind is trichomonas -- but itching isn't usually the prominent symptom, and the discharge would usually be pretty profuse and with a strong odor, which you don't mention.
My advice is that you see your primary reproductive health care clinic or doctor for personal evaluation. S/He may decide to test for trichomonas, but I doubt this is trich any STD and do not recommend any other STD testing unless your doc sees something that raises that concern.
I hope this is helpful. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Responding first to the title alone: STDs rarely cause significant itching. Based on that fact alone, a yeast infection would be a lot more likely.
Now having read the details: As you seem to understand, new herpes would generally cause multiple painful sores; itching is rarely the prominent symptom. The notion of atypical herpes symptoms mimicking yeast really isn't pertinent. That comes up when someone has newly diagnosed herpes (usually by blood test), can't remember an initial outbreak, but then says "well, a few months ago I had some itching; I just thought it was a yeast infection and didn't think much of it." In retrospect, that symptom could have been herpes. But had she looked more closely at the time, if that episode in fact were herpes, more typical signs (e.g., blisters, open sores etc) probably would have been seen.
That said, it is also true that most yeast infections would respond promtply to fluconazole (Diflucan). Some yeast infections are resistant to this class of drugs, however. And of course other things cause genital itching, e.g. allergy to a vaginal hygiene product. The only STD that comes to mind is trichomonas -- but itching isn't usually the prominent symptom, and the discharge would usually be pretty profuse and with a strong odor, which you don't mention.
My advice is that you see your primary reproductive health care clinic or doctor for personal evaluation. S/He may decide to test for trichomonas, but I doubt this is trich any STD and do not recommend any other STD testing unless your doc sees something that raises that concern.
I hope this is helpful. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Dr. Handsfield,
After getting re-swabbed, it turns out that it was just BV! I did notice that the discharge was a little more milky than a typical yeast infection, which normally makes me more dry. I have never had BV before and thought it always had to have an odor.
Thank you for your advice! I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July holiday week!
After getting re-swabbed, it turns out that it was just BV! I did notice that the discharge was a little more milky than a typical yeast infection, which normally makes me more dry. I have never had BV before and thought it always had to have an odor.
Thank you for your advice! I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July holiday week!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
"do you believe that asymptomatic people miss any warning signs because they are so mild?" Yes, this is the usual explanation for apparently asymptomatic initial herpes. However, I'm sure this happens less frequently in someone "very aware of my body". Much asymptomatic herpes probably is in people who are more or less clueless about their bodies.
"Do you think a 3 month HSV test would yield the same results for me?" If you do it, you can expect it to remain negative. But I'm not convinced it's necessary. The problem is that the HSV blood test is far from perfect; scan this forum for many (hundreds?) of questions from users about borderline or low positive results that in fact are meaningless.
Spermicide in condom lubricant, but not lubricant itself, can be irritating -- but that would cause symptoms within a few hours, not days later. I don't think condom lubricants trigger yeast.
I'll be interested to hear the outcome if and when you see your gynecologist. But I'm inclined not to speculate further until then.
"Do you think a 3 month HSV test would yield the same results for me?" If you do it, you can expect it to remain negative. But I'm not convinced it's necessary. The problem is that the HSV blood test is far from perfect; scan this forum for many (hundreds?) of questions from users about borderline or low positive results that in fact are meaningless.
Spermicide in condom lubricant, but not lubricant itself, can be irritating -- but that would cause symptoms within a few hours, not days later. I don't think condom lubricants trigger yeast.
I'll be interested to hear the outcome if and when you see your gynecologist. But I'm inclined not to speculate further until then.
Dr. Handsfield,
Thank you so much for your response. Although I do have a certain level of anxiety, I am able to think rationally and suspected that most people with atypical HSV didn't notice minor sores. So thank you for confirming that! Your statement is very helpful. I am very aware of my body and am sure there were no sores besides minor irritation that I've had with yeast infections previously. In the same regard, do you believe that asymptomatic people miss any warning signs because they are so mild? Do you think a 3 month HSV test would yield the same results for me?
At the 3 weeks post-encounter re-screening I had, trich was one thing that was tested and came back negative. Could it take longer to show up? You are right though--there is no odor or anything abnormal in that aspect.
I believe I will see my gynecologist because I am experiencing a significant amount of discomfort. Thanks for the information on some yeast not responding to Diflucan! Also, do you know if certain condom lubricants can cause irritation or trigger a yeast infection?
Thanks again!
Thank you so much for your response. Although I do have a certain level of anxiety, I am able to think rationally and suspected that most people with atypical HSV didn't notice minor sores. So thank you for confirming that! Your statement is very helpful. I am very aware of my body and am sure there were no sores besides minor irritation that I've had with yeast infections previously. In the same regard, do you believe that asymptomatic people miss any warning signs because they are so mild? Do you think a 3 month HSV test would yield the same results for me?
At the 3 weeks post-encounter re-screening I had, trich was one thing that was tested and came back negative. Could it take longer to show up? You are right though--there is no odor or anything abnormal in that aspect.
I believe I will see my gynecologist because I am experiencing a significant amount of discomfort. Thanks for the information on some yeast not responding to Diflucan! Also, do you know if certain condom lubricants can cause irritation or trigger a yeast infection?
Thanks again!
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.
