Herpes or Paranoia?

[hopper167]

I'm a 19 year old female who has only had vaginal sex with one partner (who I have never engaged in oral sex with). I last had sex about 2 weeks ago, but before we had been having sex regularly for the past 4 months (since I lost my virginity); we are not exclusively dating but are "friends with benefits". I have never experienced any serious problems before, and we have always safely and properly used condoms before any sexual touching whatsoever (the condom has never broken or fallen off either). About 2 months ago I had a urinary tract infection; I went to the doctor and took amoxycylin, everything was fine and back to normal. Everytime after sex for a while I began to notice mild itching and redness in my vaginal area about a month after I started having sex. Since I hadnt had sex before then I didn't think it was due to anything out of the ordinary, I just thought sex did that to you (as itching was worst right after sex). About a month after I was sexually active I got a pap test, and when I called for my results about 3 weeks ago the doctor told me that I had "fungal growth"; she told me it was a yeast infection. I went and got Canesten which got rid of all itching symptoms (though they were never that serious in the first place). However at the time I also felt like what was another urinary tract infection and upon going to the doctor I was told that's what it was. So, if you're keeping up with me, I had both a yeast infection and urinary tract infection at the same time. I took the medication for the urinary tract infection (which wasn't amoxicylin this time; was Ciprofloxacin) and it worked only slightly; it definitely made me feel nautious and provoked frequent bowel movements the whole time I took it. I just went to the doctor's today and the doctor said she suspected that it just hadn't cleared up completely (no more burning but still feeling the need to urinate frequently without much coming out) and prescribed me amoxicylin again. Before I was prescribed new medication I engaged in oral sex with a close friend (they performed it on me). We didn't use a dental dam and I immediately regretted doing it (though this other person is someone I completely trust, and told me they had never had herpes, genital or oral; their mother is a nurse and the person always goes for regular STD/herpes checks and told me they have never had it). I still began to worry and experienced high anxiety this whole week and am not sure if I have exaggerated/made up symptoms of herpes out of fear. The other day I noticed slight itching in the vaginal area, along both sides of the outer lips; upon thoroughly inspecting myself in a mirror, I decided that it was irritation from shaving and the new hair growing back in but I was quite the nervous reck. Today I worked up quite a sweat walking everywhere and I noticed a slight itch/irritation once again but only on one side of the outer lips of the vagina. I looked in the mirror to see nothing wrong at first, but I began feeling around for any bumps or irregularities when my vagina was dry, and touching it more irritated the skin to the point that it began to hurt. The part I was touching began to swell slightly and rubbing my dry finger against the sensitive dry skin it really started to hurt (kinda felt like a blister you get from rubbing something too hard, but there was no visual blister). When I stopped touching it and left it alone for an hour the pain really cleared up but it still hurts to the touch.

The main question I guess is: Am I overreacting or do I have herpes? I have been known all my life to overexaggerate and work myself up over nothing. I have never noticed any itching other than when I had the yeast infection, and have never experienced any type of bumps or blisters or any other signs of herpes such as being sick/depressed/tired/body aches (yes, I have researched it like crazy). I have been tested for gonorhea/chlamidia recently (after I stopped having sex) and those tests came up negative. The only reason I am still concerned is that when I was a virgin I never had any problems down there, not even slight itching that I can remember. I certainly never had 2 urinary tract infections and a yeast infection within 3 months. I have tried to give as much detail as possible so that someone will give me some advice (I have a doctors appointment in 4 days to test for herpes and other STDs but I just want to perhaps calm myself).

[hopper167]

Thank you Grace, your advice has actually helped alot...I did in fact get a yeast infection kit that came with the one treatment pill and the 7 day cream. I actually didn't really use the cream (I maybe applied it a couple times) because I figured the pill would take care of it all. I will take the cream for seven days like directed starting now and see if things improve, but I figure it's best either way to go to the doctor and get tested for everything that I can. As for yogurt I do eat it everyday, except typically once a day so I will try for 2 times daily. The advice and reassurance has definitely helped me and I trully appreciate it, thank you!

[gracefromHHP]

Odds are this is still yeast going on. You can buy an otc yeast treatment ( 3 days or 7 days, not the 1 day treatment ) and give that a try.

You've also been on antibiotics a few times now. If you don't regularly eat yogurt ( if you do, eat it 2x/day while on antibiotics ), try a product like culturelle ( found at most cvs stores and walmarts etc ).  Take it 2x/day while on antibiotics. Helps reduce the diarrhea from antibiotics as well as helps to protect your bowel flora while on them. plenty of really good info on their website. This product has years of testing behind it and is used at most major hospitals and is not some iffy fly by night only wanting to take your money product.  I wouldn't recommend it if it was.

grace

[hopper167]

Thank you so much for responding. I think all I needed was some reassurance..the reason I think I was freaking out so much was because when I read up on herpes I saw that most people have "mild symptoms" and I just wanted to make sure I wasn't underestimating what I've been experiencing.

[LeapofFaith]

Hey there,

I feel like you've answered your own question.  You don't have any symptoms that match Herpes.  Slight itching isn't necessarily a symptom of GH, and is more symptomatic of a fungal infection (such as a UTI or yeast infection, which you are obviously prone to).  Bear in mind that yeast infections take time to treat.  You've seen doctors who have diagnosed you with a yeast infection.  If you want a second opinion, see a dermatologist.  But the fact that you have never had any visible lesions or blisters, along with no tingling or immune response symptoms, I'd say you're safe.  

You also practice safe sex, which is wise.  It is unlikely that you contracted GH from your protected encounters, and if the partner who performed cunnilingus on you tested negative for HSV-1, you risked no chance of contracting GH from that encounter (also, the risk is overall low for oral encounters).

Look at your past medical symptoms: you've had UTI's and yeast infections in the past.  The only difference now is context.  Realize that over-anxiety causes more pronounced if not imaginary symptoms: you should relax, take solace in the plethora of evidence you have, and follow up with a GP.  This does not sound like Herpes at all.