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herpes? yeast? vaginal lesions?

I have been very reluctant to post this, but after much deliberation here I am. About 8 months ago I became sexually active again after a break for about a year. I have been with 3 guys including the current and have had unprotected sex once when I was raped about 4 years ago. Before these 8 months I hadn't experienced any vaginal troubles, I only wish i could say the same now. About a month into the activity I experienced what I believe was my first yeast infection. I didn't go to the doctor and I didn't treat it. I just waited until it went away which it did about a week later. Last week I experienced my 4th occurence of whatever it is. Since the first one I have had an abundance of this, cottage cheese like discharge. The discharge has had an oder twice out of the four times, but this last time I noticed what I believe has been causing me so much pain during urination, lesions. I believe they have been there everytime, but i have never looked before until this time when the pain couldn't be ignored. The lesions are like paper cuts, and from another forum I found out that these occur in women who are fair skined and have sensitive skin which I do. At times I experience pain during sex. Could the lesions and discharge be connected? Is it actually a yeast infection? Is it herpes and if it is how did I get it when I haven't had unprocted sex since that once and I had no problems until now.

Also, I believe this is not connected to the above but I was wondering about vaginal swelling. When aroused, my vagina swells immensly at the bottom below the labia near my anus. The only way I can think of to describe it is puffy and bloated. Is this normal?

Sorry this is so long and probably not enough information to conclude, but I would greatly appreciate any advice.
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Avatar universal
Please see a doctor! If you don't have insurance go to public health in your area. Your vagina is very sensitive. As well as a very important thing on your body. It could be a yeast infection, it could be herpes,or some other STD. The fact is it is something and you need to find out what it is. So for goodness sake take yourself to the doctor and ask a licensed physician about this. Quit guessing and having others guess for you. Go get the facts for goodness sake this is your health we are talking about. Possibly someone else's health too, cause if u and your man didn't work out and he takes whatever you have and passes it to someone else cause you didn't know and he didn't either cause you didn't go to the doctor. A mess can be prevented if you go to the doctor. For god's sake who gets birth control without a yearly exam? Get your check up first including a paps smear, tell your doctor about your vagina, then ask for the birth control. Sex should be the last thing you think about until you know if you are std free and/or yeast infection cured. If some of that made you mad I apologize but know that it came from love even though I don't know you. Wait on the sex, and birth control. SEE A DOCTOR NOW!


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Avatar universal
I'd like to know where you went to medical school at. Herpes can and at times DOES lay dormant for years before it pops up, and it's different from person to person, there also is a discharge present that comes with herpes just like many other disorders in that area, and it can show up as red bumps, pimple like bumps, or paper like cuts as well, typically the primary outbreak is the worst, but it can still be painful and uncomfortable no matter what outbreak you are on. I'm not trying to scare the poster of this question, but it is a possibility, I never in a million years thought it could happen to me, and it happened after I was out drinking and taken advantage of and he was in denial that he had it and never mentioned it to me, it was the night I lost my virginity, yes it sucked, but what's done is done, I'm partly responsible, we live with it anyway. Whether it's herpes or isn't I hope everything goes alright, and just know that if it IS herpes that it doesn't mean your life is over, it's really not as big of a deal as people make it, it still *****, don't get me wrong, but it unfortunately has a stigma on it because people suck :)
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Avatar universal
So a week ago me & my boyfriend spent the week together. We had sex every night, we used a condom about 70% of the time but he never came inside of me. I shaved down there, twice, and noticed no irritation. I came back on Thursday afternoon and felt fine. The next day, he tells me that he noticed a swollen lymph node in his groin and this began to concern me. I looked down there with a mirror to examine myself. I noticed a wound on my lower labia, it isn't painful or itchy and it does not bleed, and I also noticed that there are tiny cuts by my vaginal opening. I have accepted the fact that it could be herpes. But could it possibly be a sore from continuous, daily rough sex? He was pretty rough & I was pretty dry. I have sensitive skin (eczema) so I am just wondering, as it does not look like the pictures of herpes I am seeing online. I know not all signs are typical but still. I am wondering if it could possibly be ANYTHING else other than herpes. Is it possible to get a herpes sore without it blistering first? I feel like I would have noticed something like that before it ruptured. I have no other symptoms, I feel fine, it does not hurt to urinate, and I do not feel any pain except a bit of a sting from the wound against my underwear, but it currently looks like it is getting 'better' from the Neosporin I have been applying to it. I went to the gyno today to do blood work & to get the sore cultured. The nurse practitioner, who I do have faith in as a physician, said by looking at it that it does in fact look like the primary outbreak of herpes. But I can't help but feel like I disagree :\ It just doesn't look the same to me. She said in 20 years she has only been wrong twice, and I'm hoping that this will be her 3rd misdiagnoses. I have accepted the fact of what it may be, but I can't help but have hope. Any feedback would be helpful. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Pray for me.
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Avatar universal
Well im having discharge and its thick and white lots of it and i also experience a boil like blister near my vagina on both sides i dont have any swelling no irritation no burning or problem urinating i often wonder is it herpes any suggestions
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Avatar universal
Well im having discharge and its thick and white lots of it and i also experience a boil like blister near my vagina on both sides i dont have any swelling no irritation no burning or problem urinating i often wonder is it herpes any suggestions
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well im having discharge and its thick and white lots of it and i also experience a boil like blister near my vagina on both sides i dont have any swelling no irritation no burning or problem urinating i often wonder is it herpes any suggestions
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Your exact experience happened to me. 10 years ago, I was 18, I came down with what I thought was a terrible flu, high fever, extremely achy lower back, weak, the bumps below and then the blisters on the outside of the vagina. They were so painful I could barely walk. Of course I went to emergency and they took a swap of one of the 3 or so blisters. The hospital sent me on my way with no meds, nothing at all. I couldn't wait so the following day or two later I went to the gyno and she looked and said yep herpes! I was devastated!!! I couldn't' understand. This was only my second serious relationship and as far as I knew my current boyfriend of 2 years didn't have anything. We ruled it to oral herpes. We figured he might have had a cold sore starting and performed oral sex and that's how I got it. None the less, I was prescribed me some Valtrex and it seemed to clear it up. I then got a call back from the hospital a week later and they confirmed it was herpes based on the swab. I never got a blood test for the herpes so 10 years later I'm wondering if it's a possibility they might have made a mistake cause I haven't gotten an outbreak since that very first day? I dunno, perhaps I'm just in denial.
I've now been with a new partner, since the last, now for 8 years. We obviously have unprotected sex, we have two children together. Yes he is aware of the herpes. He hasn't caught anything till this day.
So since that very first "outbreak" with the "blisters" almost 10 years ago, I've always gotten these paper cut like lesions around my vaginal opening in the creases, like what alot of you have been describing. Up until 3 years ago, while pregnant with my first, I learnt that I carry the Group B Step bacteria. My gyno brushed it off, informed me alot of women are carriers, not to worry,  and right before delivery they'd give me some meds and haven't thought of the Group B Strep since then. Well I am currently taking a 10 day treatment of penicillin for a Group B Strep infection. I went in to visit my Doc last week. She swabbed me cause I had creamy discharge and alot of it, red sensitive, sore swollen vagina and a painful lesion in my crease. Me just assuming it was related to the herpes, as I do when anything goes wrong down there, I find out its a Group B vaginal infection. These or at least very simular symptoms have occurred before and over the past 10 years since that very first herpes outbreak. I've had mild itchiness, redness and lesions, which one gyno told me was BV, Bacterial Vaginosis. I was treated for that, twice, and it didn't really do anything. I've treated for a yeast infection, I've stopped taking birth control pills thinking this might stop these terrible symptoms as I've been told from day one these symptoms are totally non related to the herpes. No one seems to know what the heck is going on. I get mixed answers to my questions...it's herpes...it's non-related to my herpes....it's a yeast infection....it's BV...oh now its Group B Strep!!! To be honest I don't know what to think anymore!!! 10 years dealing with these vaginal issues and I'm more confused as ever!!!! I just want to have a normal sex life and need to know what to tell my partner.
Was I wrongfully diagnosed with herpes (I've never had the blood test done)? Has it always been Group B Step (Which I've read can have very similar symptoms to Herpes)? OH and, what has recently put a BIG spin on all of this is my aunt informs me she has Group B strep and so did my great Aunt!!!!! ...now my daughter who is 3 has experienced yeast rashes since she's been born and now I think she has a lesion on her crease!  
Today I'm going to talk to my doc about all this!!! My poor daughter! I need answers!!!!! AHHH!!  
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Avatar universal
Hey I just want to share my experience. I have had the 'cuts' on my labia minora (inner labia right around my vaginal opening) for over a year now. At first I freaked out and I got tested for every kind of STD imaginable. All my results were negative and I have in fact never been exposed to any type of Herpes at all. My doctor prescribed fluconazole, which helped with the yeast infection, but the cuts kept coming back. They were very painful at first and would bleed especially when i wiped after peeing. Also the pee would sting. Since I have sensitive skin it just made the situation worse. My doctor gave me the following regimen: wash myself with only water and avoid all soaps and fragrances down there. Wash all my laundry with unscented or gentle detergent such as "free and clear". She also recommended using diaper rash cream on the cuts. This cream really works... I got Sudocrem and it is very soothing and the zinc helps the cuts heal. They do keep recurring but they are not so bad anymore and they no longer bleed. The cuts hurt more and get bigger and more noticable right before my period, so hormones may also play a role (I have taken birth control pills for 6+ years). Recently I got allergy testing done and found out I am allergic to yeast (candida albicans) so the doctor gave me a bunch of guidelines for avoiding foods and drinks with yeast. My next step is to try to cut out sugar, which makes yeast grow. Also I am trying to reduce my alcohol intake... Wine and beer have yeast! And there's sugar in other drinks/mixers! And also I am looking into natural yeast fighting supplements like Caprylic Acid and Pau D'Arco. Look it up! There are other "candida cleanses" available as well. So.. After a year, the cuts still recur, then go away, then recur again, but they are nowhere near as bad as they first were. Also I don't experience really painful itchy severe yeast infections anymore. I advise you all to be tested for candida allergy. And use diaper rash cream on the cuts to soothe and heal them. Also avoid sugar. Best of luck.
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1 Comments
I have the same symptoms but tested for everything in the book. I am going to try the creams like you.  It seems if I wipe or have a slight itch down there I will bleed.  They are like papercuts look nothing like herpes.  I have been on the deposit for 12 years I think that has something to do with it.
Avatar universal
About two weeks ago, I came down with flu-like symptoms. Sore throat, no energy, headache, tired. I waited a day and took ibproufen for the pain and used cough drops. I developed a fever of 100 two days later, then the next day I could barely move and had a fever of 103. I went to an emergency clinic and the doctor tested me for strep, which came back negative (shocked the doctor and I both) and I was also diagnosed with a severe UTI. I got a shot and was issued antibiotics, and started feeling better within two days. Three days after seeing a doctor, I noticed a small bump on my vagina that was a little sore. The next day, I had two sores and they hurt worse. It hurt to urinate, get out of the car, etc. I realized I could have symptoms of an STD because I had unprotected sex about two days before I started feeling sick, with a new partner. I waited a few more days, the sores got worse and multiplied. I went to the doctor again, and as soon as she looked she said "Yep, thats Herpes". Talk about devestation... she also said I had excessive discharge, which could be another STD. Another shot, and two more prescriptions later, I felt better and the sores dissappeared. I called the clinic today to get the results of my tests, and everything was negative, including Herpes. The doctor told me to finish out my antibiotics though. I'm a little confused as to what the sores were from, but now that I think they could've been a side affect of the first prescription, or of the UTI, or a yeast infection (common for me and after taking a prescription).
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Avatar universal
I have the same symptoms, however mines is gvetting worse. I went to the doctor and he seen a lesoion and assumed it was a sexual transmitted disease. He prescribed me with treatment right away but I've been taking it for 3 days and it seems like the blisters and lesions r getting worse, I think its from the scented dove soaps I use but anyways I started off with cottage cheese like discharge with a breaded smell. I've been with my boyfriend for 4 months and we don't have protected sex the last time we had sex I noticed a blister cut after I had sex my vagina felt hanging and swollen and the next day my blister turn into a sore and than it start having more blisters and I guess they were irritated and start turning into lesion I'm really scare never caught an std before and I can't have herpes some please let me know if they had this before
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Avatar universal
I have been tested 2 times in the past 6 months. My ex gave me chlamydia. I got it cleared up. I dated another guy for a month and caught him cheating on me. So I went in again, nothing wrong with me but BV. I have had it 2 times before. I have been with my current boyfriend for a while now and we have had sex frequently. He was complaining of it burning when he peed and his throat was soar. I haven't been with anyone else besides him. Ive asked him numerous times when he was last tested and I don't get a forward answer. The last 4 days I have had a soar vagina, anus and femoral lymph nodes. I called my doc and she said it might be herpes. She asked if I had lesions or spots. So I checked and sure enough they are lesions on the inner part. If I go to the doctor and I am diagnosed with herpes I am afraid my boyfriend will lose his temper and be physically violent....What do I do if I have something serious?
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Avatar universal
this sounds like herpes and a yeast infection at the same time ... i had the exact same symptoms... they only look like papercuts at first instead of round lesions because of the soft skin on the vulva area... if you were to spread the area and look they probably look like round blisters now... am I right? meds are great these days and dont worry,... outbreaks lessen over time... you could have aquired herpes at any time you had sex Condom or without) or oral sex ... its entirely possible for a man to have herpes sores on the shaft of his penis that is uncovered by the condom. hope this info helps... and by the way... doctors visits can be greatly empowering...its your body!! ask questions!
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Avatar universal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herpes

try to go to this page..it says that herpes may look like papercuts as well..well..no harm in checking with doctor rite? i have blister at vaginal area too once in a blue moon but its not fluid-filled..and ive been for a checkup for any std and it turned  out totally negative..anyway im going to check again soon..as i just had the blister last week..hopefully it will turn out negative again..sigh..
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Avatar universal
I'm sure by now that you've gotten proper care for what sounds like a nasty yeast infection.  I've experienced a few bad ones myself.  But I wanted to make sure someone told you that the vaginal swelling you were experiencing during sexual arousal is normal.  It probably looked abnormally swollen to you because of the yeast infection (or whatever it was) but it's natural for a woman's genitals to become engorged during arousal and unless there is pain or discomfort associated with it, it's nothing to worry about.  I hope you are feeling much better now!
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Avatar universal
These symptoms sound all too familiar. You should definatly see a doctor and get an antibiotic for a yeast infection. I certainly do not have herpes and am suffering from the same symptoms. If it is or may be a yeast infection, you should not go on the birth control pill until it is completely eradicated because the pill can raise your succeptability to yeast.

As well, I heard that for the pill to be really effective, you should take it for a cycle or two before using it as birth control. You can tell that to your impatient man. Also, considering telling him about this pain, you will feel a huge wait off your shouldars and find out if he is really there for you or not.

Check out this link and see if anything rings a bell:
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/WomensHealth/messages/674.html
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174483 tn?1327625477
hopefully the external cream that comes with the medication will ease your pain, BUT if the cuts are getting progressivly worse and more painful then you might just have to see a doctor, as much as you dont want to go, you might need antibiotics or something(although im not sure what would be causing this besides a yeast infection, im sure a doctor could rule out anything serious) and if your worried about a different kind of STD i think its VERY smart that you continue using condoms regardless of what the bf wants, does he realise that if it is an STD he will get it? well i would advise no sex until you get this resolve, that could be the reason the cuts are becoming more irritated, and if this doesnt get better with the medication for heavens sake get yourself to a doctor! you dont want to deal with this for a long period of time, it needs to get cleared up,

im hoping the medicine works for you hon, take care!
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Avatar universal
Thank you so much for your info. I have googled everything that could pop into my tiny little brain, in panic of course. I finally broke down and got some medicine for a yeast infection. I don't want to go to the doctor, that's just how I am and most of why I started this forum. The cuts are getting worse and more painful any suggestions to ease the pain? I am pretty sure it's not herpes now, because I don't have the ulcer or blisters, they are just cut like and don't fit the discription of any of the multiple sites I have looked up. I spent about 5 hours on the internet doing research. By the way, the reason for my stress and concern is that I am about to start taking birth control, therefore my partner and I will no longer have to use condoms, which means if it is an STD he will get it. I am supposed to go pick the pill up tomorrow and I don't want to start taking it until I know what's going on, but he wants me to start right away because he does not like condoms. He got mad when i suggested waiting, what should I do?
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174483 tn?1327625477
i was wrong, i looked at the symptoms of herpes on a web site and it stated that discharge can be present with herpes, but not foul smelling discharge, if you google herpes symptoms i think it will really ease your mind
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174483 tn?1327625477
i also know from experience, and it still doesnt sound like herpes to me, honestly with herpes you will have painful blisters like i said that progressivly get worse, and i had no discharge, my doctor told me herpes does not cause discharge, so see your doctor, but my guess is still with the yeast infection

but i do agree with valtrex, it cleared mine up in a week, and i only had ONE outbreak years ago, never had one since,
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Avatar universal
i beleave that it is herpes because i have been there and done this! i was also raped by an ex- boyfriend that had herpes, i didnt have sex for a year after that then i became stressed and tired and just tired of life really and my boyfriend went away for about 5 weeks and all that and while he was gone i also had a dicharge as well as lesions and i got treated with that but herpes can sit in your system its just has to have a reason to come out like a yeats infection or stress something like that! Valtrex is a very good drug for this its helps a lot! If you need anything else let me no!
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174483 tn?1327625477
well it sounds like a yeast infection to me, herpes isnt going to lay dormant in your system for 4 years and then suddenly pop up (ok breath now) and herpes isnt going to produce vaginal discharge or a foul smell, and also will not be like "paper cuts" they will first be red bumps, very painful, then blister up and go away normally within 14 days, so yours doesnt sound like herpes (yah!)

although you can get herpes even though you have protected sex, it can be passed to you if your partner has, or is getting a cold sore on thier mouth and performs oral sex on you, but again your symptoms dont sound like herpes at all,

a yeast infection needs to be treated, when i get them i experience paper cut like , not really sores but there very uncomfortable, im not sure but i believe for your first yeast infection they say to see a doctor first, personally i just got the over the counter treatments and they work very well, many also come with a cream that you can use externally, (directly on the area) and it eases the burning feeling
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