Herpes?

[Insanejoker]

So. I've been keeping an eye on myself because about a year ago sex started to burn. My vagina also became really itchy. My boyfriend at the time became scared we had herpes. I never inspected his penis, but he says he's been fine for months. Nothing since the one time when him and I were still together. But, it hasn't been the same for me. I wasn't sure if I just had a yeast infection and I just infected my ex. I was having white sticky like discharge. I took monistat1 like 2 days ago and I feel like I actually feel a bit better. It still sort of burns to the touch, but after more inspection, I saw there were what looked like cuts or tears in the crease between my clitoris and vagina lips. I've never seen bumps though. I also took a yeast infection test that said my vaginal Ph was 7.5+ which I was told herpes can't survive. I'm not sure what this could be and I'm kind of nervous to go to the doctor without knowing what to expect. What could this be?

[gracefromHHP]

there are low cost/no cost options. look into them and follow up on this. you don't want to wait and let this get worse. the longer you wait to properly treat an infection, the harder it is to clear up.

[Insanejoker]

I was doing more research on the symptoms of my partner at the time and myself. I just found out BV is a big possibility since he said there were bumps, but he hasn't had any reoccurring symptoms since the first bumps 7 to 8 months ago. Also, I'm also starting to consider Tricomiosis (sp?). But all the symptoms to everything are all so similar. I did rule out a yeast infection. The monistat didn't really help as well as I thought it was. I did a small hydrogen peroxide wash (not doushe). It seems that it's a common thing that no matter what's going on can help a lot. I just really wish the possibilities were smaller so I could focus on trying to take care of it until I can get my health insurance figured out. I can't afford the gyno by myself.

[gracefromHHP]

this doesn't sound like herpes going on even if you do happen to have genital herpes.   Also chlamydia and gonorrhea aren't going to cause symptoms this long either.  definitely follow up on this within the next few weeks to get better answers.  

[Insanejoker]

Well. It isn't just when we have sex. For the past couple months, I haven't even wanted to have sex because it hurts and burns. I'm just really freaked out because I have these cut like lesions, but they don't look like any of the pictures online of herpes. They aren't round. They don't have any sort of white in them like most of the pictures. I never noticed any bumps. Since the monistat, I feel like I've been a lot better since the night I took it. It's been three days and it only kind of burns very slightly to the touch. I'm just confused because herpes, chlamydia, BV, and yeast infections have all such ridiculously similar symptoms. I'm really shaken up about potentially having herpes forever.

[gracefromHHP]

herpes won't cause you to only have symptoms during sex.

bottom line is you've had a year of symptoms so it's not appropriate to self treat for anything at this point. I recommend following up on this properly with your provider. since you are self treating with otc yeast cream, you'll need to wait another week before following up since the cream stays in there for awhile and keeps them from properly testing you for vaginitis and getting a good look internally.

odds are neither you nor your partner have ever been tested for herpes before.  it's on your mind, both you and your partner should follow up with type specific herpes igg blood tests to see who has what.  

grace