long term symptoms

[honeyflame]

I have been living with genital herpes for 12 years.  A few years after I contracted it I noticed that I didn't lubricate the same during arousal and sexual intercourse.  Now it is like a desert, it is so dry, I no longer lubricate well at all for sex, in comparison to sexual history before I contracted it.  Also, I am fairly light skinned and my genital area has become so dark, almost brown/black.  The partner who infected me with this virus also had the same color of the genitals and had I known this was a long term symptom of herpes, I could have prevented infection. I have seen numerous gynecologists and none of them seem to be knowledgable of the subject or helpful in answering my questions.  I have done research and can't find anywhere, these symptoms of the long term affects of genital herpes.  Why does this happen, what causes these changes and how can I change it or work with it to increase a better sexual experience?

[gracefromHHP]

really, these aren't herpes issues at all.  

find a different gyn if all yours can do for you is to tell you to relax!!!

many things cause vaginal dryness, including birth control pills and changes in our hormones as we age.  it's often far more than just not relaxing during sex!

[honeyflame]

No, she hasn't, all she tells me is I need to relax. But others I have spoken to that are infected with the virus have expressed similar symptoms of these nature....

[gracefromHHP]

neither of these issues are due to herpes.

if the gyn's you have seen are stumped, perhaps a dermatologist is a better bet.

have they prescribed topical estrogen for you for the dryness issue?

grace