Aa
is it really only a yeast infection? could it be herpes?
Ive been in and out of the doctors office for chronic yeast infections. However, sometimes i get scared, maybe i have herpes? I get these small red bumps sometimes, i just always get told its from hair follicles or a just a pimple. How would i know the difference from herpes or just a pimple? I do have a white vaginal discharge, and my vaginal area is irritated. Ive probably tried almost every yeast infection medication from otc stuff to gyconazole, triconazole, diflucan i dont remember all the names. Nothing seems to do the trick. Could it just be a misdiagnosis? How would i know if i have herpes? ive had a culture done once when i had one of those bumps and it came out negative. Im tired of going in and out of the doctors... i dont know what to do really...
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You don't describe anything that sounds much like herpes. They are quite typical for both the other problems your own providers have diagnosed, folliculitis and vaginal yeast infections. No average to well trained health care provider is likely to misdiagnose hair follicle infections or pimples, which really don't behave or look much like herpes.
Vagainal yeast infections also easily recognized and diagnosed. Although mistakes can be made, yeast and herpes rarely are confused with one another, and certainly the symptoms of "irritated" vaginal area along with discharge is typical for yeast but not herpes. This is a somewhat confusing area, since so many websites and other educational materials say that herpes and yeast can be confused. But that really only applies when women themselves assume that recurrent genital sores/irritation are yeast, and later learn that they actually had typical herpes symptoms. In other words, the confusion comes from undiagnosed patients who don't really understand the two conditions, not because health care providers misdiagnose one condition for the other. That can happen but is uncommon.
Here are the typical symptoms and signs of recurrent herpes: brief (7-10 day) periods of sores; recurring no more often than every month, usually more like every 2-3 month; no symptoms at all between those outbreaks (no itching, no discharge, nothing); typically only a few actual sores, often only 1 or 2 of them, always recurring in a cluster in more or less the same spot every time, give or take an inch; those lesions occurring only on one side or the other of the body's midline, almost never on both sides of the genital area; rarely occurring in hairy areas; and no association with hairs (whereas with folliculitis, usually each bump or pimple-like lesion has a hair coming from it). I'll bet this doesn't sound much like what you are experiencing.
As for yeast not responding to the drugs you have had, that's actually pretty common. Around 10% of vaginal yeast infections are due to yeasts that are resistant to the "azole" drugs.
So all things considered, there is nothing in your story that sounds suspicious for herpes. However, it does sound like your recurrent folliculitis and/or yeast infections might be controlled more effectively, whether with antibiotics or different medications for yeast. I suggest you discuss these things with your health care provider. Alternatively, you could ask for referral to a gynecologist who specializes in infectious diseases. There usually are such specialists at major medical centers.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Vagainal yeast infections also easily recognized and diagnosed. Although mistakes can be made, yeast and herpes rarely are confused with one another, and certainly the symptoms of "irritated" vaginal area along with discharge is typical for yeast but not herpes. This is a somewhat confusing area, since so many websites and other educational materials say that herpes and yeast can be confused. But that really only applies when women themselves assume that recurrent genital sores/irritation are yeast, and later learn that they actually had typical herpes symptoms. In other words, the confusion comes from undiagnosed patients who don't really understand the two conditions, not because health care providers misdiagnose one condition for the other. That can happen but is uncommon.
Here are the typical symptoms and signs of recurrent herpes: brief (7-10 day) periods of sores; recurring no more often than every month, usually more like every 2-3 month; no symptoms at all between those outbreaks (no itching, no discharge, nothing); typically only a few actual sores, often only 1 or 2 of them, always recurring in a cluster in more or less the same spot every time, give or take an inch; those lesions occurring only on one side or the other of the body's midline, almost never on both sides of the genital area; rarely occurring in hairy areas; and no association with hairs (whereas with folliculitis, usually each bump or pimple-like lesion has a hair coming from it). I'll bet this doesn't sound much like what you are experiencing.
As for yeast not responding to the drugs you have had, that's actually pretty common. Around 10% of vaginal yeast infections are due to yeasts that are resistant to the "azole" drugs.
So all things considered, there is nothing in your story that sounds suspicious for herpes. However, it does sound like your recurrent folliculitis and/or yeast infections might be controlled more effectively, whether with antibiotics or different medications for yeast. I suggest you discuss these things with your health care provider. Alternatively, you could ask for referral to a gynecologist who specializes in infectious diseases. There usually are such specialists at major medical centers.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No apology necessary!
My sincere apologies, I am new here and didn't have a clear understanding of the format/protocol for replying to existing posts within a section. Thank you and have a wonderful Christmas.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Please take any continuing discussion over to the STD community forum.
I was reading your post and I wanted to add something. First of all, I don't think it is hypochondria to be appropriately concerned about your sexual health. Secondly, I think you may have been misdiagnosed....I know I was for the longest time.
You don't mention your age in your post, or other factors such as whether or not you have your ovaries or on hormone supplementation...but all of these things affect this wonderful gift we call a vagina; mine is incredibly sensitive. If I have sex I MUST get up out of bed and do a thorough rinse or else I will get both a bacterial AND a yeast infection from the deposit of DNA left by my partner. It took me dozens of trips to the doctor before we finally figured out strategies to avoid the infections. I don't know how graphic you all want to get...but if you want to talk in detail, let me know. Also, because I am low in hormones (and thus natural lubricant) we use commercial lube (the kindest water based lube we can find) but it is still problematic and must also be rinsed away or there will be irritation.
But the really frustrating part was that I was back and forth to the doctor for a couple of years....having all kinds of symptoms before one of my docs put them all together and figured out that I owe this all to a wonderful condition called "vaginal atrophy", now isn't that a special term?
Anyway, you need to spend more than 2 minutes with a doctor....sit down and discuss a complete medical history and everything that is going on...in the bedroom and out...and all your symptoms. My guess it that if you add it all together something is missing. My problem was easily resolved with the addition of estrogen cream inserted vaginally...which helps restore natural elasticity amongst other things.
As far as the bumps...those probably are hair follicles. If you are having fun sex...they get irritated...a small price to pay if you ask me.
Anyway, just thought I would toss that all in and hope it helps.
L
You don't mention your age in your post, or other factors such as whether or not you have your ovaries or on hormone supplementation...but all of these things affect this wonderful gift we call a vagina; mine is incredibly sensitive. If I have sex I MUST get up out of bed and do a thorough rinse or else I will get both a bacterial AND a yeast infection from the deposit of DNA left by my partner. It took me dozens of trips to the doctor before we finally figured out strategies to avoid the infections. I don't know how graphic you all want to get...but if you want to talk in detail, let me know. Also, because I am low in hormones (and thus natural lubricant) we use commercial lube (the kindest water based lube we can find) but it is still problematic and must also be rinsed away or there will be irritation.
But the really frustrating part was that I was back and forth to the doctor for a couple of years....having all kinds of symptoms before one of my docs put them all together and figured out that I owe this all to a wonderful condition called "vaginal atrophy", now isn't that a special term?
Anyway, you need to spend more than 2 minutes with a doctor....sit down and discuss a complete medical history and everything that is going on...in the bedroom and out...and all your symptoms. My guess it that if you add it all together something is missing. My problem was easily resolved with the addition of estrogen cream inserted vaginally...which helps restore natural elasticity amongst other things.
As far as the bumps...those probably are hair follicles. If you are having fun sex...they get irritated...a small price to pay if you ask me.
Anyway, just thought I would toss that all in and hope it helps.
L
Thank you soo much... this puts my mind at ease =) i can be a hypochondriac at times. This was really helpful. Thank you 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.
