Aa
found a small, raised, dark grey bump above and outside vaginal opening
i'm not sure if i can post a link to a picture here, so i will try to be as specific as possible. it's been one month since unprotected oral exposure. today i noticed some redness next to the labia, not very itchy at all, and a small dark grey bump that seems fluid filled. it's too low down, so hard to see. it does not hurt. it does not ooze. i had an std panel done 18 days after exposure, which was all clear, but i realize now that it might have been too soon. can anyone help? can i edit this to include a link to imgur?
COMMUNITY LEADER
You can't edit it to include the link, but you can respond with the link.
Honestly, it could be a lot of different things - an infected hair follicle, a Bartholin's Cyst (depending on the location), a sebaceous cyst. It could be a herpes blister, but given that there's just one and you describe it more as a bump and not a blister, I'd not think herpes as the first choice.
HPV/genital warts aren't fluid filled, and syphilis causes a round, open sore, not a bump.
You're going to need to see a doctor to get this diagnosed. Even with a photo, it would be hard to tell online. It may require some cultures or biopsies to determine what is causing it (that's not fun but not as bad as it sounds).
Let us know what happens.
Honestly, it could be a lot of different things - an infected hair follicle, a Bartholin's Cyst (depending on the location), a sebaceous cyst. It could be a herpes blister, but given that there's just one and you describe it more as a bump and not a blister, I'd not think herpes as the first choice.
HPV/genital warts aren't fluid filled, and syphilis causes a round, open sore, not a bump.
You're going to need to see a doctor to get this diagnosed. Even with a photo, it would be hard to tell online. It may require some cultures or biopsies to determine what is causing it (that's not fun but not as bad as it sounds).
Let us know what happens.
thank you for responding. here's a link. not sure it'll work.
https://imgur.com/a/ozk5GCq
i do have an appointment with my primary tomorrow, but am still stressing out quite a bit.
https://imgur.com/a/ozk5GCq
i do have an appointment with my primary tomorrow, but am still stressing out quite a bit.
COMMUNITY LEADER
That looks more blood filled to me than dark gray, but honestly, that could be the difference in computer screens. That's why it's so important to have your doctor see it in person.
It doesn't look like typical herpes, either.
I wish I had something more definitive. DON'T squeeze it or try to pop it or put anything on it before your appt tomorrow. That could affect any testing they do. I know it's hard, but just let it be.
If the doctor thinks it's herpes, make them do a type specific culture or PCR swab on it (the PCR swab is better). Don't let them visually diagnose you. It's wrong as often as it is right. If they think it's bacterial in nature, ask them if culturing it for the specific bacteria would be helpful. This can help if you need an antibiotic to know which antibiotic you need. It's called a culture and sensitivity - the sensitivity tells them which antibiotics it will respond to.
Let me know what happens, and hang in there. If it's herpes, we'll get you through it, okay?
It doesn't look like typical herpes, either.
I wish I had something more definitive. DON'T squeeze it or try to pop it or put anything on it before your appt tomorrow. That could affect any testing they do. I know it's hard, but just let it be.
If the doctor thinks it's herpes, make them do a type specific culture or PCR swab on it (the PCR swab is better). Don't let them visually diagnose you. It's wrong as often as it is right. If they think it's bacterial in nature, ask them if culturing it for the specific bacteria would be helpful. This can help if you need an antibiotic to know which antibiotic you need. It's called a culture and sensitivity - the sensitivity tells them which antibiotics it will respond to.
Let me know what happens, and hang in there. If it's herpes, we'll get you through it, okay?
4 Comments
thank you for being so kind. i was in a bad situation, and i haven't been able to tell my husband about it. i'm really scared that it'll be some kind of horrible std and it'll all blow up in my face. i will keep you updated for sure.
by the way, 18 days after exposure was too soon to get the std testing, right?
No, depending on what you tested for.
I'm assuming you received oral, since you're questioning genital symptoms. If you gave oral, you'd only be at risk for oral infections and those wouldn't give you genital symptoms.
Receiving oral puts you at risk for gonorrhea, syphilis and genital hsv1. Your symptoms don't match gonorrhea or syphilis. Some say chlamydia is a risk from oral sex. I'm still not so sure about that, nor are most experts, but that's not a symptoms of chlamydia.
You probably took a gonorrhea and chlamydia test, and those tests are conclusive at 5 days after exposure, so you're fine there.
It can take up to 90 days to test positive for syphilis, though the vast majority will test positive by 6 weeks, and syphilis isn't that common. If you don't get a round, painless sore, I wouldn't worry about that.
There are herpes blood tests that you can take, but they aren't perfect. You could take an IgG type specific blood test now, and if it's positive, it could be an old infection, and maybe a new one. If it comes back as positive for hsv1, all you know is that you have it, and not where you have it - orally, like about half the adult population, or genitally. That's why I think if they think it's herpes, they need to culture or PCR swab it. It can take up to 4 months to test positive on a herpes blood test.
I don't need to know what kind of bad situation you were in, but if you need it, RAINN (the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) has a hotline and chat line - https://www.rainn.org/
If you need their Instagram so their site isn't on your phone - https://www.instagram.com/rainn/
This is the National Domestic Violence Hotline - https://www.thehotline.org/
Their IG - https://www.instagram.com/ndvhofficial/
If you need resources for another location than the US, let us know.
Just do what you need to do to be safe. That's always most important.
I'm assuming you received oral, since you're questioning genital symptoms. If you gave oral, you'd only be at risk for oral infections and those wouldn't give you genital symptoms.
Receiving oral puts you at risk for gonorrhea, syphilis and genital hsv1. Your symptoms don't match gonorrhea or syphilis. Some say chlamydia is a risk from oral sex. I'm still not so sure about that, nor are most experts, but that's not a symptoms of chlamydia.
You probably took a gonorrhea and chlamydia test, and those tests are conclusive at 5 days after exposure, so you're fine there.
It can take up to 90 days to test positive for syphilis, though the vast majority will test positive by 6 weeks, and syphilis isn't that common. If you don't get a round, painless sore, I wouldn't worry about that.
There are herpes blood tests that you can take, but they aren't perfect. You could take an IgG type specific blood test now, and if it's positive, it could be an old infection, and maybe a new one. If it comes back as positive for hsv1, all you know is that you have it, and not where you have it - orally, like about half the adult population, or genitally. That's why I think if they think it's herpes, they need to culture or PCR swab it. It can take up to 4 months to test positive on a herpes blood test.
I don't need to know what kind of bad situation you were in, but if you need it, RAINN (the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) has a hotline and chat line - https://www.rainn.org/
If you need their Instagram so their site isn't on your phone - https://www.instagram.com/rainn/
This is the National Domestic Violence Hotline - https://www.thehotline.org/
Their IG - https://www.instagram.com/ndvhofficial/
If you need resources for another location than the US, let us know.
Just do what you need to do to be safe. That's always most important.
i can't tell you how relieved i am to read your responses. god bless you for doing this work.
oral was given and received with genital to genital contact. penetration didn't occur. it was a bad power dynamic and all i can say it wasn't consensual. thank you for the resources. i just feel so stressed out and ashamed. the tests i did were the 10-test panel (chlamydia, gonorhea, syphilis, 3 heps, 2 herpes, 2 hiv), plus trich via stdcheck. they were all clear at 18 days.
oral was given and received with genital to genital contact. penetration didn't occur. it was a bad power dynamic and all i can say it wasn't consensual. thank you for the resources. i just feel so stressed out and ashamed. the tests i did were the 10-test panel (chlamydia, gonorhea, syphilis, 3 heps, 2 herpes, 2 hiv), plus trich via stdcheck. they were all clear at 18 days.
so far the physical exam is totally clear. she says that's a sebaceous cyst. there are no sores, no other lesions, no rashes, no skin abnormalities, no reason for concern. "normal anatomy for age" is the verdict.
4 Comments
I'm so happy to hear this, and I'm sure you are, too.
No need for shame, though I understand that response. Non-consensual contact can mess with your emotions (I'm not preaching, I know this firsthand), so consider reaching out for help. You aren't alone.
Giving oral sex puts you at risk for oral gonorrhea and syphilis. A regular syphilis blood test would find oral syphilis, but if you're concerned about oral gonorrhea, you'll need a throat swab. Make sure to tell the doctor that you need them to test for gonorrhea, as it's not often done.
If you are over 18, they are not required to notify any authorities about any non-c0nsensual sexual activity, assuming you're in the US. (If you aren't, you should google the reporting laws for your area.) Planned Parenthood and other STD clinics should do this, too, if you don't want your regular doctor to know.
You weren't at risk for the 3 heps. Hep A is only spread through fecal matter (poop), and is usually spread through contaminated food. It can be spread sexually, and it's usually through unprotected anal when it is. Hep B is prevented by a vaccine, which you've probably had - it depends on your age. The younger you are, the more likely you've had it. It can be transmitted orally, but that's not as likely as penetration. Hep C is only transmitted by blood, and is rarely spread sexually. If it is, it's again by unprotected anal.
For your Hep B results, you should ask your doctor for a test that shows if you've been vaccinated. If you haven't been vaccinated, it's a good idea that you get it.
You weren't at risk for HIV at all.
I hope you consider reaching out for help. Your husband doesn't ever need to know. And no shame, okay? :)
No need for shame, though I understand that response. Non-consensual contact can mess with your emotions (I'm not preaching, I know this firsthand), so consider reaching out for help. You aren't alone.
Giving oral sex puts you at risk for oral gonorrhea and syphilis. A regular syphilis blood test would find oral syphilis, but if you're concerned about oral gonorrhea, you'll need a throat swab. Make sure to tell the doctor that you need them to test for gonorrhea, as it's not often done.
If you are over 18, they are not required to notify any authorities about any non-c0nsensual sexual activity, assuming you're in the US. (If you aren't, you should google the reporting laws for your area.) Planned Parenthood and other STD clinics should do this, too, if you don't want your regular doctor to know.
You weren't at risk for the 3 heps. Hep A is only spread through fecal matter (poop), and is usually spread through contaminated food. It can be spread sexually, and it's usually through unprotected anal when it is. Hep B is prevented by a vaccine, which you've probably had - it depends on your age. The younger you are, the more likely you've had it. It can be transmitted orally, but that's not as likely as penetration. Hep C is only transmitted by blood, and is rarely spread sexually. If it is, it's again by unprotected anal.
For your Hep B results, you should ask your doctor for a test that shows if you've been vaccinated. If you haven't been vaccinated, it's a good idea that you get it.
You weren't at risk for HIV at all.
I hope you consider reaching out for help. Your husband doesn't ever need to know. And no shame, okay? :)
i will try reaching out to someone. i tried that rainn website, but there was a long line to chat, so i'll try again. trouble is, i live in a really tiny town, where everyone knows everyone, and everyone knows everyone's business. even my primary knows us, so i felt like i couldn't be open with her, though i trust her medical opinion completely. so if she says there's no sign of trouble, i'll take her word for it.
if any symptoms come up, i'll go to the planned parenthood an hour away. i think that should be anonymous enough. i am in the us, and definitely over 18, so i'm glad that they don't have to report non-consensual stuff. it's just really hard not to feel the shame of it. my generation is kind of hard wired to project blame inwards.
i'm so thankful for your responses. truly. it's a great comfort to be able to connect with another human about this. you are so kind.
if any symptoms come up, i'll go to the planned parenthood an hour away. i think that should be anonymous enough. i am in the us, and definitely over 18, so i'm glad that they don't have to report non-consensual stuff. it's just really hard not to feel the shame of it. my generation is kind of hard wired to project blame inwards.
i'm so thankful for your responses. truly. it's a great comfort to be able to connect with another human about this. you are so kind.
So the RAINN hotline puts you in touch with the closest rape crisis center. If you google it, you can find them yourself. If you're in a small town, try calling one from a few towns over (if your town even has one), and see if they'll help you, given the small-town nature of it all.
Rape crisis centers have to keep everything confidential, unless you are a minor. I understand that you don't want to contact one if your cousin's neighbor answers the phone, though.
I'm thankful I've helped, even a little. I'm sorry this happened to you.
Rape crisis centers have to keep everything confidential, unless you are a minor. I understand that you don't want to contact one if your cousin's neighbor answers the phone, though.
I'm thankful I've helped, even a little. I'm sorry this happened to you.
I did have one follow up question, not sure if i should post a fresh question for this:
since i had the full panel of tests done 18 days after exposure, which came back negative, are there any tests i should repeat just in case there were false negatives?
to confirm, i had the following done:
chlamydia
gonorrhea
trichomoniasis
syphilis
herpes 1 & 2
all came back negative.
i understand that the hepatitis and the hiv were not risks, so i'm not asking about that. but any of the above? and what time frame?
since i had the full panel of tests done 18 days after exposure, which came back negative, are there any tests i should repeat just in case there were false negatives?
to confirm, i had the following done:
chlamydia
gonorrhea
trichomoniasis
syphilis
herpes 1 & 2
all came back negative.
i understand that the hepatitis and the hiv were not risks, so i'm not asking about that. but any of the above? and what time frame?
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You are reading content posted in the STDs / STIs Community
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.
