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Burning, itching, discomfort recurrences
Last April, I developed a burning sensation on my vagina, mostly the interior lips and vaginal opening. I cannot place the feel exactly... It's kind of like an icy hot burn, sometimes itchy feeling. This occured right after my period and probably lasted a week or two. The doctor wrote it off as BV. Since then, I would often (almost daily) feel strange vibrating or crawling sensations go through my vagina lips randomly. Just after one of my periods the burning sensation returned with redness and itchiness around my anus too. I went to the doctor and upon examination my doctor wrote it off as "probably just a yeast infection" even though I told her I was concerned it could be herpes. She assured me that it seemed nothing like herpes and sent me off with a topical cream. The feeling probably lasted for a couple weeks but I still kind of felt mild itching. Then, I had sex with my boyfriend last week and the burning feeling has returned. I have an appointment with my obgyn later today. I just really fear it's herpes... I know that burning can be the only sign of herpes, but how long would just burning/itching itself last?? I'm really scared and know I have to get a test if I'm ever going to know for sure.
I haven't really talked to my bf about this. I know that's stupid. Where I come from, no one talks about getting tested or using protection. Everyone I hang out with seems to sleep around and never worry about the consequences. I look around and wonder how many of us must have hsv2. I'm definitely in no sense promiscuous, but I am so concerned because my partner has a less than innocent past. I started experiencing vaginal burning about 2-3 weeks after we started sleeping together. I plan to test this week and once I get my results whether pos or neg I'm going to have a talk with him about this experience and him getting tested. While he has slept around quite a bit in what he calls "a dark period" of his past, I'm well aware I could be the only one with something and that really scares me half to death... I don't know how I would tell him or what would result from this!! All I know is that we are extremely connected not just as bf and gf but share all the same friends and hangouts. What if I'm positive, tell him and my entire life as I know it unravels?? I know he would never hate or blame me but im also fairky certain he would not know how to handle the news initially and our lifestyle (the one I have really been enjoying) will change. I'm just so angry because 3 gynecologists told me they are absolutely certain (one even said 100%) that I don't have herpes!! I know my post sounds extremely ignorant and shows how careless I have lived my life but I assure you I am a generally really smart and amazing person who has been so ill informed and unaware of the realities of sex!! I'm so convinced its herpes. I have self diagnosed which I know is wrong, but at this point I'm 99% certain hsv2 will be positive... just because I have never thought to test before and have been so careless. I'm really at a loss right now.
Hang in there, dear. Try to think positively - for all you know your symptoms are due to other things.
Have you considered asking your boyfriend the general question about STD testing? You should get tested together, to find out what each of you brings to the relationship. There are a lot of other bugs to catch out there besides HSV!
Have you considered asking your boyfriend the general question about STD testing? You should get tested together, to find out what each of you brings to the relationship. There are a lot of other bugs to catch out there besides HSV!
Thanks for being real with me. I just can't stop going over all my regrets. I'm in the waiting room crying because I feel like I already know what's going on. I just want to talk to my bf and tell him I'm worried so at least it can all be out in the open before the day I actually get results. So scared how it might change our lives... Just scared of shifting the dynamics... If this is what herpes feels like than its really not too bad... It's the thought of shattering my bf's perceptions of his current life. I've already assumed I have this so I'm already thinking about living like I do. Btw, haven't been continuing sex with him in case I have it and he doesn't...
I'm a male, so i don't have a gynocologist. I just contacted my local planned parenthood who said they can do a blood test in about a month which should show the antibodies. is this correct? i'm praying that i do not have this but it's so hard not to think about and just patiently waiting for 4 months to find out. I am so ashamed of myself...
Hi – first, please know that you'll be fine. Take a breath. I'll try to alleviate some of your confusion.
Your symptoms could indicate that you have HSV, but know that they also could be due to other things. They do not sound like the symptoms of a classic first infection, however the first infection can present in a number of ways in different people. In fact, according to Terri Warren, one of our best researchers and clinicians, up to 90% of people who contract HSV never exhibit symptoms that are recognizable as herpes, which is why it's spread often by people who don't know they have it.
Burning, itching, and pain in the groin are all signals that the virus could be active in your system. Unfortunately, quite a lot of medical personnel are not experts in herpes. . Your doctor should've tested you when you expressed your concern. I hope your gynecologist was more thorough.
It's important to know, however, that a blood test may come back negative if you contracted the virus less than four months ago, because the test looks for antibodies, which can take 4 months to generate enough to return a positive result. To e absolutely certain, wait until 4 months has passed before testing with a reliable blood test – an IgG type specific (good) or the Western Blot (best).
Best to you - keep in mind that you may not have contracted the virus at all!
Your symptoms could indicate that you have HSV, but know that they also could be due to other things. They do not sound like the symptoms of a classic first infection, however the first infection can present in a number of ways in different people. In fact, according to Terri Warren, one of our best researchers and clinicians, up to 90% of people who contract HSV never exhibit symptoms that are recognizable as herpes, which is why it's spread often by people who don't know they have it.
Burning, itching, and pain in the groin are all signals that the virus could be active in your system. Unfortunately, quite a lot of medical personnel are not experts in herpes. . Your doctor should've tested you when you expressed your concern. I hope your gynecologist was more thorough.
It's important to know, however, that a blood test may come back negative if you contracted the virus less than four months ago, because the test looks for antibodies, which can take 4 months to generate enough to return a positive result. To e absolutely certain, wait until 4 months has passed before testing with a reliable blood test – an IgG type specific (good) or the Western Blot (best).
Best to you - keep in mind that you may not have contracted the virus at all!
Tingling, burning, itching, having these constantly without a sore developing does not fit the herpes profile. No one has continued nonstop aborted outbreaks, well not that ive ever read.
Sorry to keep asking, but I've read that some people with herpes will only get burning/itching on their genitalia as an "outbreak". Why does mine not sound like herpes, then?
Thank you so much for your prompt response. Definitely eases my mind a bit but of coarse I will have a conversation with my doctor.
Should only be a few days and would be more of a tingling. If all this started last april and you never had a sore develop really cant be herpes related but only testing of a sore would confirm your status. You can have a blood test and if positive wont say where you have it.
If I were to be experiencing aborted outbreaks, how long would the burning feeling last? It's odd because the feeling changes from burning to itching and seems to change locations throughout the day... I will notice itching in one place and then the burning in another place will draw my attention.
Hi, what your describing is called prodrome symptoms in the herpes arena and is a sign of a bending outbreak. Often its a tingling feeling as is more associated with someone who already has had an outbreak. With prodrome, a sore would develop a few days or so. There is a term where prodrome starts an no sore develops and is called an aborted outbreak.
From what your describing does not appear herpes related as these symptoms dont come and go regularly.
From what your describing does not appear herpes related as these symptoms dont come and go regularly.
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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.
