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Herpes or Vulvodynia?
I was diagnosed with vulvodynia almost 2 years ago due to overall burning and discomfort in my genitals as well as sharp pain when touched. This happened after sex with a new partner. I cleaned my inner labia with Noxema, put tea tree lavender cream on it daily, and went to my gyno several weeks later. The gyno did a biopsy on my inner labia and found a little bit of yeast. She said she thought I may have had a horrible yeast infection made worse by dry sex, and that I knocked out most of the infection with the regular tea tree use. She gave me Diflucan tabs.
In January 2009, I tested positive for HSV-1 and negative for HSV-2. The doctor said not to worry about the HSV-1,that most people pick it up as children. I never have cold sores.
About 2 1/2 weeks ago I had oral sex with someone new--both given and received. There was some penetration but not much because he was impotent due to surgery. There was a lot of fingering that hurt me. I was very dry and uncomfortable the whole time. Afterward I experienced a lot of discomfort and burning. It felt like I'd been scraped in my vagina. There was no itchy feeling.
A week later I got a paper cut in the corner of my mouth and it reddened around that area. It looks a LOT like angular cheilitis. I put tea tree on it and it has dried up and flaked, though remains reddened in the surrounding facial skin.
I used natural boric acid suppositories in my vagina. I took a Diflucan tab. This helped for inside my vagina.
I put tea tree oil ointment on my inner labia. Despite the initial burn, I put undiluted tea tree oil on a cotton ball and put it in my inner labia all day and all night for two days.
Soon thereafter, I saw two sore spots side by side--one on the shaft that goes up to the clitoris and one right beside it on my inner labia. They were barely detectable and I could only see them if I stretched the skin and stared awhile. They looked like flat, skinny oval shapes. The one on the shaft was vertical, tiny, and definitely skinny oval. The one on the right inner labia was bigger and felt a little lumpy underneath the skin, though the lumpiness has subsided.
The sores became more visible but no blister, no raised area, no ulcer with pus in it. It looks like a cross between a very flat blister and a chanchroid, except not white and barely indented. I have had them a few days and the skin has not broken. It blends in with surrounding skin but the skin on them seems thinner, though.
Yesterday I put Neosporin on them, and it really soothed the area. Now they are going away. I'm not going to put anything else on there because I want my gyno to have something left to scrape and culture when I see her tomorrow for a biopsy and blood test.
I am wondering if:
1. The sores are from an undiluted tea tree oil burn, since it's right where I left the cotton ball;
2. If it's possible that I picked up a fungal or bacterial infection from my last sexual encounter. That would explain the angular cheilitis on the corner of my mouth. Also, I know that yeast can aggravate vulvodynia, and cause sores. I also read that yeast doesn't always cause a discharge (I haven't noticed any discharge).
I know I will need another blood test in about 3 months because HSV-2 antibodies may take that long to be detectable in the body.
What do y'all think???
In January 2009, I tested positive for HSV-1 and negative for HSV-2. The doctor said not to worry about the HSV-1,that most people pick it up as children. I never have cold sores.
About 2 1/2 weeks ago I had oral sex with someone new--both given and received. There was some penetration but not much because he was impotent due to surgery. There was a lot of fingering that hurt me. I was very dry and uncomfortable the whole time. Afterward I experienced a lot of discomfort and burning. It felt like I'd been scraped in my vagina. There was no itchy feeling.
A week later I got a paper cut in the corner of my mouth and it reddened around that area. It looks a LOT like angular cheilitis. I put tea tree on it and it has dried up and flaked, though remains reddened in the surrounding facial skin.
I used natural boric acid suppositories in my vagina. I took a Diflucan tab. This helped for inside my vagina.
I put tea tree oil ointment on my inner labia. Despite the initial burn, I put undiluted tea tree oil on a cotton ball and put it in my inner labia all day and all night for two days.
Soon thereafter, I saw two sore spots side by side--one on the shaft that goes up to the clitoris and one right beside it on my inner labia. They were barely detectable and I could only see them if I stretched the skin and stared awhile. They looked like flat, skinny oval shapes. The one on the shaft was vertical, tiny, and definitely skinny oval. The one on the right inner labia was bigger and felt a little lumpy underneath the skin, though the lumpiness has subsided.
The sores became more visible but no blister, no raised area, no ulcer with pus in it. It looks like a cross between a very flat blister and a chanchroid, except not white and barely indented. I have had them a few days and the skin has not broken. It blends in with surrounding skin but the skin on them seems thinner, though.
Yesterday I put Neosporin on them, and it really soothed the area. Now they are going away. I'm not going to put anything else on there because I want my gyno to have something left to scrape and culture when I see her tomorrow for a biopsy and blood test.
I am wondering if:
1. The sores are from an undiluted tea tree oil burn, since it's right where I left the cotton ball;
2. If it's possible that I picked up a fungal or bacterial infection from my last sexual encounter. That would explain the angular cheilitis on the corner of my mouth. Also, I know that yeast can aggravate vulvodynia, and cause sores. I also read that yeast doesn't always cause a discharge (I haven't noticed any discharge).
I know I will need another blood test in about 3 months because HSV-2 antibodies may take that long to be detectable in the body.
What do y'all think???
glad you figured out what I was trying to say too since evidently I'm way more tired than I thought I was and can't type in understandable sentences...lol.
grace
grace
Darn. Well, at least I know that the Acyclovir does help me feel better during my outbreak. Thanks again for the information.
we don't have info on suppressive therapy and hsv1 genital infections. just not enough as easy to study it as hsv2 since it shed so infrequently and doesn't reoccur very often.
grace
grace
Thanks. That's good to know.
I have read here that HSV-1 asymptomatically sheds about 3-5% of days.
I've read here that Acyclovir reduces genital herpes shedding by 50%. Some studies said more than 80%. Are they also talking about HSV-1 genital here, or is it only HSV-2?
I have read here that HSV-1 asymptomatically sheds about 3-5% of days.
I've read here that Acyclovir reduces genital herpes shedding by 50%. Some studies said more than 80%. Are they also talking about HSV-1 genital here, or is it only HSV-2?
nope, no correlation between igg results and severity or anything of that sort.
I am also wondering if severity of outbreaks has anything to do with the numeric blood test results (ie, does a higher number mean more infection, hence worse outbreaks?)
My first blood test in Sept. was HSV-1 positive and the result was 1.58. Then the one in Dec. was lower--something like 1.28.
My first blood test in Sept. was HSV-1 positive and the result was 1.58. Then the one in Dec. was lower--something like 1.28.
Oh, I see what you are saying now. I just assumed the vulvodynia was caused by the undetected HSV, but you have a good point. It very well could be two separate issues. Thanks.
no I really did mean hsv1 genitally as in see if some of the various issues you've been having that led to you being diagnosed as having vulvodynia were actually hsv1 genitally.
"you can swab it and if it's also hsv1 genitally"
Did you mean "also hsv2 genitally"?
I believe it's type 1 only because I've had 2 blood tests, both negative for type 2. The last blood test was several months after my last sexual partner and was negative for hsv2. And this last culture is negative for hsv2. But there may be a piece of information I am missing?
The gyno gave me a prescription for Acyclovir. I felt much relief after only a day and a half of taking it.
Did you mean "also hsv2 genitally"?
I believe it's type 1 only because I've had 2 blood tests, both negative for type 2. The last blood test was several months after my last sexual partner and was negative for hsv2. And this last culture is negative for hsv2. But there may be a piece of information I am missing?
The gyno gave me a prescription for Acyclovir. I felt much relief after only a day and a half of taking it.
well certainly not the news you were expecting but at least now you know at least 1 location for your hsv1. Did they give you oral antivirals to keep on hand?
Even though typically hsv1 genitally doesn't reoccur very often, it can in a small percentage of people. considering all the the issues you've had in general down yonder, you might want to consider having the supplies at home to do home pcr swabbing and if the next time you get symptoms similar to this, you can swab it and if it's also hsv1 genitally, perhaps discuss daily suppressive therapy to see if you can get your genital issues down to a dull roar in general.
grace
Even though typically hsv1 genitally doesn't reoccur very often, it can in a small percentage of people. considering all the the issues you've had in general down yonder, you might want to consider having the supplies at home to do home pcr swabbing and if the next time you get symptoms similar to this, you can swab it and if it's also hsv1 genitally, perhaps discuss daily suppressive therapy to see if you can get your genital issues down to a dull roar in general.
grace
I want to update this thread. Bad news. :-(
Earlier this month, I started getting sore in that same spot I felt sore in back in August (to the left of my vaginal opening). I immediately called my gyno to get it cultured. She couldn't see me, but another gyno did.
She swabbed the teeny, tiny break in my skin (like a paper cut). It was barely visible. She said she thought it was a blocked moisture gland and she'd be "very surprised" if it were herpes.
BUT...results came back from the culture as positive for HSV-1.
I thought I should update this thread to make people aware that HSV-1 genital can be very, very difficult to confirm!! It took a lot of persistence on my part to confirm it. Doctors and nurses kept telling me they didn't think it was herpes. After my negative culture, I was told to put the idea of herpes to rest. I didn't listen, and now I have discovered I have HSV-1 genital. :-(
Earlier this month, I started getting sore in that same spot I felt sore in back in August (to the left of my vaginal opening). I immediately called my gyno to get it cultured. She couldn't see me, but another gyno did.
She swabbed the teeny, tiny break in my skin (like a paper cut). It was barely visible. She said she thought it was a blocked moisture gland and she'd be "very surprised" if it were herpes.
BUT...results came back from the culture as positive for HSV-1.
I thought I should update this thread to make people aware that HSV-1 genital can be very, very difficult to confirm!! It took a lot of persistence on my part to confirm it. Doctors and nurses kept telling me they didn't think it was herpes. After my negative culture, I was told to put the idea of herpes to rest. I didn't listen, and now I have discovered I have HSV-1 genital. :-(
I said I'd come back and post results.
I tested for HSV 1 and HSV 2 last week of December.
I'm positive for HSV 1 and still negative for HSV 2.
I think I can put this to rest now.
I tested for HSV 1 and HSV 2 last week of December.
I'm positive for HSV 1 and still negative for HSV 2.
I think I can put this to rest now.
at least I don't charge as much as all the others do :)
amazing how it all just hits at one time sometimes eh?
grace
amazing how it all just hits at one time sometimes eh?
grace
Also, talking to you here has been a tremendous help in staying level headed. Thanks for that. :-) I will post results of my next test in a few months just in case it helps someone else out to read this conversation thread.
Much better, thanks. For weeks I've been hurting from head to toe. My lips were cut on the corner, inflammed, and sore, my aorta above my belly button was hurting and throbbing, and I was burning and irritated down yonder. After seeing a chiropractor, doctor, gynecologist, and acupuncturist, I feel normal again.
I can understand wanting to cover your bases since you did have a new partner recently.
feeling better down yonder overall?
grace
feeling better down yonder overall?
grace
I had a feeling they had my test results back today so I called the office. A nurse called me back. Here's my results:
Syphillis blood test--Negative
HSV I and HSV II blood tests--Positive for HSV 1, Negative for HSV II
Culture from swab of sores--Negative for HSV 1 and HSV II
I'll go back and do another blood test in a few months.
Syphillis blood test--Negative
HSV I and HSV II blood tests--Positive for HSV 1, Negative for HSV II
Culture from swab of sores--Negative for HSV 1 and HSV II
I'll go back and do another blood test in a few months.
LOL.Yes, the conversation will go something like, "Remember that time I went cross-eyed looking on the Internet at other people's crotches to compare their sores to mine while dreaming up diagnoses and letting my emotions bounce around like a schizophrenic ping pong ball? Ha ha! Pass the fifth of liquor!"
Today I went for a nice long hike to take my mind off things and it really gave me perspective. I was having such a lovely time and it just reminded me of the richness and joys of life that are not contingent upon having herpes or not.
Today I went for a nice long hike to take my mind off things and it really gave me perspective. I was having such a lovely time and it just reminded me of the richness and joys of life that are not contingent upon having herpes or not.
drooling profusely from braces can cause rashes in the corner o fyour mouth too.
glad you are feeling better in general :) One day you will be able to laugh about this I'm sure when sitting around talking about goofy things you've done with your gf's ( you should hear my home armpit waxing story....lol ).
grace
glad you are feeling better in general :) One day you will be able to laugh about this I'm sure when sitting around talking about goofy things you've done with your gf's ( you should hear my home armpit waxing story....lol ).
grace
Today, the paper cut and reddening around the corner of my mouth is completely gone! It's like a miracle. Also, zero symptoms down below and sores are gone. I haven't even put anything on either place today. It's rather coincidental that both areas look and feel healed on the same dang day. Since cheilitis can be from yeast infection, now I'm leaning toward thinking candidias or some fungal infection is the issue above and below.
BTW, doctor confirmed that the sore on corner of mouth was not herpes.She thinks it's from my braces shifting my bite. I disagree. I believe it is fungal. I should have insisted that she scrape and culture it for candidias.
I'm in better spirits today because I feel so much better everywhere.
BTW, doctor confirmed that the sore on corner of mouth was not herpes.She thinks it's from my braces shifting my bite. I disagree. I believe it is fungal. I should have insisted that she scrape and culture it for candidias.
I'm in better spirits today because I feel so much better everywhere.
Just a follow up comment:
A few hours after my last comment, the burning started again. Very intense, some prickly sensations. Prickly sensations happen with both herpes and vulvodynia, BTW. I had a miserable night.
Today my gyno swabbed my two sores. She called them "ulcers". She said they could be herpes, but because they are perfectly round, they could also be from the tea tree oil cotton ball. As Grace notes, undiluted tea tree can be caustic on sensitive skin/mucus membrane. I will get my results back in one week.
While I was there I took a blood test for syphillis and HIV. I asked the lab tech to also order the herpes blood tests. The doctor didn't order that, BUT I felt that if the culture of my sore was inconclusive (since they are nearly healed) I might still get an answer from the blood test. Of course, if it showed up negative I would take one again in a few months.
I'm not optimistic. I'll let everyone know the results soon. If negative, rejoice. If positive, my story might be helpful to someone else with questionable/mild symptoms.
A few hours after my last comment, the burning started again. Very intense, some prickly sensations. Prickly sensations happen with both herpes and vulvodynia, BTW. I had a miserable night.
Today my gyno swabbed my two sores. She called them "ulcers". She said they could be herpes, but because they are perfectly round, they could also be from the tea tree oil cotton ball. As Grace notes, undiluted tea tree can be caustic on sensitive skin/mucus membrane. I will get my results back in one week.
While I was there I took a blood test for syphillis and HIV. I asked the lab tech to also order the herpes blood tests. The doctor didn't order that, BUT I felt that if the culture of my sore was inconclusive (since they are nearly healed) I might still get an answer from the blood test. Of course, if it showed up negative I would take one again in a few months.
I'm not optimistic. I'll let everyone know the results soon. If negative, rejoice. If positive, my story might be helpful to someone else with questionable/mild symptoms.
TTO is a member of the turpentine family. I'm sure you irritated the heck out of your skin dear :(
Like I said, it's not likely to be a herpes issue.
grace
Like I said, it's not likely to be a herpes issue.
grace
Thanks for your detailed reply.
It seems the plot has thickened now. I was sore in the area to the left of my vaginal opening and now it is swelling and feels like a big cyst is forming. I'm fairly sure I'm developing a bartholin cyst. :(
Today I didn't experience any burning--just noticed it got sore over that left barth gland. Interesting that the genital burning goes away just when I'm about to start my period any day now. Hmmm......
I can still see the one sore on my clitoral shaft but I can barely see the sore on my labia. It's only been about 4 days since I noticed them. The one on my labia doesn't hurt when I press it anymore.
I'm scared to death to see my doctor tomorrow. On the other hand, with all this stuff going on, I'm scared not to.
It seems the plot has thickened now. I was sore in the area to the left of my vaginal opening and now it is swelling and feels like a big cyst is forming. I'm fairly sure I'm developing a bartholin cyst. :(
Today I didn't experience any burning--just noticed it got sore over that left barth gland. Interesting that the genital burning goes away just when I'm about to start my period any day now. Hmmm......
I can still see the one sore on my clitoral shaft but I can barely see the sore on my labia. It's only been about 4 days since I noticed them. The one on my labia doesn't hurt when I press it anymore.
I'm scared to death to see my doctor tomorrow. On the other hand, with all this stuff going on, I'm scared not to.
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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.
