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STDs (Expert Forum)
I'm worrying myself sick!!
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum does not cover AIDS/HIV issues. This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomonas, Warts, Yeast Infection.
IMPORTANT
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
I'm worrying myself sick!!
by inquisitive191, May 01, 2008 04:03PM
Hello Doctor;
I have noticed 2 very tiny sore/lesions on the left inner lip of my vagina. One is on the actual inner lip and the other is almost directly on the opposite side. They did not appear at the same time (or at least I didn't notice it). They seem to mirror each other (one sore touches the other). These sores are no more the size of a pin tip and are painless. These sores appeared about 2 days prior to my period. I just started my period, so I am wondering if there is any relationship. I am not noticing anything else irregular in my vaginal area besides these 2 sores. I have also noticed and enlarged gland on the left side of the back of my neck (1'2 inch before the hairline). The gland is hard to the touch and a tad bit sensitive. I have two chemical burns on the top of my head that have recently scabbed over.
I have not had any sexual intercourse for 6 months, although a guy I was dating did perform fellatio (unprotected) on me about 3 weeks ago. He did not have any outward signs of an infection on his mouth or visible oral area. I've been trying to think of anything else that may have caused these sore/lesions. But the only other possibility that comes to my mind is that I changed the brand of soap that I wash that area with.
I had a similar incident while I was on my period last month ( 2 weeks prior to the fellatio). There was only one sore/lesion. It did not begin as a sore/lesion, rather it started off looking and feeling similar to a chigger or mosquito bite. Then as I irritated the area, it started to get more irritated and turn into a sore. It wasn't round, it looked more like a thin oval. This "issue" was on the right side of my body. No pain and no other vaginal symptoms. It resolved on it's own. I thought that it was just an isolated "issue" but now that these two little sore/lesions have appeared, is there is any relationship?
I have mild vitiligo (7-8 yrs ago) and experienced alopecia areata (1 1'2 yr ago)
I have noticed 2 very tiny sore/lesions on the left inner lip of my vagina. One is on the actual inner lip and the other is almost directly on the opposite side. They did not appear at the same time (or at least I didn't notice it). They seem to mirror each other (one sore touches the other). These sores are no more the size of a pin tip and are painless. These sores appeared about 2 days prior to my period. I just started my period, so I am wondering if there is any relationship. I am not noticing anything else irregular in my vaginal area besides these 2 sores. I have also noticed and enlarged gland on the left side of the back of my neck (1'2 inch before the hairline). The gland is hard to the touch and a tad bit sensitive. I have two chemical burns on the top of my head that have recently scabbed over.
I have not had any sexual intercourse for 6 months, although a guy I was dating did perform fellatio (unprotected) on me about 3 weeks ago. He did not have any outward signs of an infection on his mouth or visible oral area. I've been trying to think of anything else that may have caused these sore/lesions. But the only other possibility that comes to my mind is that I changed the brand of soap that I wash that area with.
I had a similar incident while I was on my period last month ( 2 weeks prior to the fellatio). There was only one sore/lesion. It did not begin as a sore/lesion, rather it started off looking and feeling similar to a chigger or mosquito bite. Then as I irritated the area, it started to get more irritated and turn into a sore. It wasn't round, it looked more like a thin oval. This "issue" was on the right side of my body. No pain and no other vaginal symptoms. It resolved on it's own. I thought that it was just an isolated "issue" but now that these two little sore/lesions have appeared, is there is any relationship?
I have mild vitiligo (7-8 yrs ago) and experienced alopecia areata (1 1'2 yr ago)
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., May 01, 2008 04:26PM
, May 01, 2008 04:26PM
On one hand, you are correct to think about STD, especially herpes, as a possible cause of your symptoms, because herpes is the most common cause overall of genital ulceration. However, almost certainly herpes is not the cause in your case. Most important, recurrent herpes is almost always limited to one side of the body or the other; the occurrence of bilateral lesions is strongly against recurrent herpes. The initial HSV infection often is bilateral, and therefore could involve the labia on both sides. But when initial herpes causes symptoms, it always shows up within 3 weeks (and usually 3-10 days) after exposure. Therefore, combining the timing with your last sexual exposure plus the nature of the symptoms, herpes just doesn't compute.
For practical purposes, syphilis is the only other STD likely to present with genital sores, and syphili is very rare these days in most populations; and your symptoms really don't sound at all like it anyway. No STD causes skin irritation or swollen lymph nodes of the neck.
So I'm pretty certain you have no STD worries here. However, these rules are not hard and fast; exceptions can occur. The way to get definitive answers is to see a health care provider -- if at all possible, within the next day or two, before the sores (or whatever they are) heal. If your personal health care provider isn't available on short notice, your local health department family planning clinic or STD clinic would be a good bet; or a private family planning clinic like Planned Parenthood.
One minor correction of terminology: Fellatio means mouth-penis contact. Oral contact with female genitals is called cunnilingus.
Do get this checked out, just to calm your nerves and be maximally safe. But based on all you describe, I doubt any STD explains any of your symptoms.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
For practical purposes, syphilis is the only other STD likely to present with genital sores, and syphili is very rare these days in most populations; and your symptoms really don't sound at all like it anyway. No STD causes skin irritation or swollen lymph nodes of the neck.
So I'm pretty certain you have no STD worries here. However, these rules are not hard and fast; exceptions can occur. The way to get definitive answers is to see a health care provider -- if at all possible, within the next day or two, before the sores (or whatever they are) heal. If your personal health care provider isn't available on short notice, your local health department family planning clinic or STD clinic would be a good bet; or a private family planning clinic like Planned Parenthood.
One minor correction of terminology: Fellatio means mouth-penis contact. Oral contact with female genitals is called cunnilingus.
Do get this checked out, just to calm your nerves and be maximally safe. But based on all you describe, I doubt any STD explains any of your symptoms.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Member Comments (4)
by inquisitive191, May 01, 2008 04:10PM
I forgot to mention I am 25 yrs old...
by inquisitive191, May 01, 2008 04:33PM
Thanks for the correction in terminology...sorry... I thank you for your answer. One more question, can I go to the OBGYN on my period? or should I wait....
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., May 01, 2008 07:21PM
, May 01, 2008 07:21PM
It is usually preferred that pap smears not be done during women's periods, but otherwise it usually is not a problem to be examined when menstruating. In situations like yours, the most important thing is to be seen promply, before the lesions heal. I'm sure your ObG will agree.
