Aa
Help!
Almost 10 years ago, I was diagnosed with cold sores for the first time (it was miserable). Upon my first symptoms, I had absolutely no genital symptoms. Just oral. I received Acyclovir and the cold sores resolved. However, upon stopping the medication, I started having yeast like symptoms (itching and heavy discharge). I went to the doctor and they said they saw nothing unusual and gave me Diflucan. From then on, every month, I would have unilateral vaginal itching, discharge and leg and buttock pain. It seemed constant. Like I could never catch a break. I have had multiple relationships since then with no partner having ever coming to me worried about infection.
However, I have been paranoid that this is HSV. I have tested and tested positive for HSV-1 and negative for HSV2. Two different OBGYNS have told me that this is not genital HSV-1. I have never had a lesion and have been examined multiple times. When I take Vacyclovir, it really doesn’t work. Maybe 5 days after taking it I get relief, but then symptoms are back within a week or two. It’s miserable. I don’t even know what to do anymore. I expressed my concerns to my OBGYN while pregnant, and she dismissed them and said that it wasn’t genital HSV-1. I was terrified of something happening to my child. She informed that even if someone did have a previous HSV-1 infection, they would pass on antibodies to the baby and as long as they didn’t have active sores, they would be safe to deliver vaginally. However, I feel like I’m going crazy. I have two doctors telling me that’s that is not what it is. Then what is it?! Also, when these symptoms occur, I have a discharge that has a fishy odor. I have been treated for BV and it went away, but came back within the next week.
Please shed some insight as now I’m worried I could have infected prior partners since I have been under the impression that these symptoms are not attributed to HSV 1.
I have been married for nearly 4 years, and my husband has never had lesions etc. He also claims a history of cold sores.
I’m just to the point I want to figure out what this is because I am so tired of suffering. I read that people with genital Hsv-1 never have more than one outbreak, but I feel like I maybe have a week max without symptoms. It’s miserable.
However, I have been paranoid that this is HSV. I have tested and tested positive for HSV-1 and negative for HSV2. Two different OBGYNS have told me that this is not genital HSV-1. I have never had a lesion and have been examined multiple times. When I take Vacyclovir, it really doesn’t work. Maybe 5 days after taking it I get relief, but then symptoms are back within a week or two. It’s miserable. I don’t even know what to do anymore. I expressed my concerns to my OBGYN while pregnant, and she dismissed them and said that it wasn’t genital HSV-1. I was terrified of something happening to my child. She informed that even if someone did have a previous HSV-1 infection, they would pass on antibodies to the baby and as long as they didn’t have active sores, they would be safe to deliver vaginally. However, I feel like I’m going crazy. I have two doctors telling me that’s that is not what it is. Then what is it?! Also, when these symptoms occur, I have a discharge that has a fishy odor. I have been treated for BV and it went away, but came back within the next week.
Please shed some insight as now I’m worried I could have infected prior partners since I have been under the impression that these symptoms are not attributed to HSV 1.
I have been married for nearly 4 years, and my husband has never had lesions etc. He also claims a history of cold sores.
I’m just to the point I want to figure out what this is because I am so tired of suffering. I read that people with genital Hsv-1 never have more than one outbreak, but I feel like I maybe have a week max without symptoms. It’s miserable.
COMMUNITY LEADER
So two things come to mind.
First around the possibilities of ghsv1 - have you tried taking valtrex suppressively? If it is ghsv1, maybe taking it daily would help some of your symptoms.
Without outbreaks, it will be hard to determine if that's what is causing your symptoms, but if you get relief from daily valtrex, it might help determine that.
When you first got oral hsv1, had you received oral sex around that time?
The other thing that stood out to me was the fishy odor. Typically, that means BV, which you said you've treated, but it's not uncommon for women to deal with that chronically.
There are things you can try - a daily probiotic, boric acid suppositories.
I'm guessing at this point, your doctor won't write a prescription for daily valtrex. You can go to HelloWisp, Nurx, LemonAid, and a few others to get that yourself. Just tell them that you have frequent cold sores and want to take suppression for it.
Wisp also sells boric acid suppositories and probiotics, but compare prices on those, and do what works for you on prices/convenience, etc. Any women's health probiotic should help, and you can get boric acid suppositories most anywhere. Just research the brand and dose before using it.
If you want to determine if it's ghsv1, start with the valtrex, and then do the suppositories and/or probiotics. If you do them together, and get relief, you won't know which helped.
Also, make sure nothing you use vaginally is scented, dyed, etc. Only use a very gentle cleanser on the outer parts of your genitals, or just wipe with a washcloth. We never need to smell like fresh lilacs or morning dew, ya know?
Make sure your laundry detergent is scent and dye free - think of everything that touches your skin is.
Hope that helps!
First around the possibilities of ghsv1 - have you tried taking valtrex suppressively? If it is ghsv1, maybe taking it daily would help some of your symptoms.
Without outbreaks, it will be hard to determine if that's what is causing your symptoms, but if you get relief from daily valtrex, it might help determine that.
When you first got oral hsv1, had you received oral sex around that time?
The other thing that stood out to me was the fishy odor. Typically, that means BV, which you said you've treated, but it's not uncommon for women to deal with that chronically.
There are things you can try - a daily probiotic, boric acid suppositories.
I'm guessing at this point, your doctor won't write a prescription for daily valtrex. You can go to HelloWisp, Nurx, LemonAid, and a few others to get that yourself. Just tell them that you have frequent cold sores and want to take suppression for it.
Wisp also sells boric acid suppositories and probiotics, but compare prices on those, and do what works for you on prices/convenience, etc. Any women's health probiotic should help, and you can get boric acid suppositories most anywhere. Just research the brand and dose before using it.
If you want to determine if it's ghsv1, start with the valtrex, and then do the suppositories and/or probiotics. If you do them together, and get relief, you won't know which helped.
Also, make sure nothing you use vaginally is scented, dyed, etc. Only use a very gentle cleanser on the outer parts of your genitals, or just wipe with a washcloth. We never need to smell like fresh lilacs or morning dew, ya know?
Make sure your laundry detergent is scent and dye free - think of everything that touches your skin is.
Hope that helps!
19 Comments
Thank you! I haven’t tried it everyday, but have tried it for a full three day cycle. Is it common to have daily symptoms, but never ever have a single lesion?? I’m confused on that.
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
And it’s hard to remember from ten years ago, but I do think that oral could have been involved from that boyfriend. As well as vaginal sex. When symptoms first appeared, it was only oral symptoms. I even went to the doctor and it was only for oral symptoms. I was prescribed the medicine for ten days. Upon stopping, I started having the yeast like symptoms. I have never had a lesion. Ever.
No, it isn't common to have daily symptoms, even if you get lesions. The timing of it all, though, with the oral infection, just made me wonder.
It's far more likely to be chronic BV.
It's far more likely to be chronic BV.
My thing is, would chronic BV cause unilateral symptoms? Itching, stinging etc. also, discharge all the time, especially after intercourse. Leg pain and buttock pain. What could that be?
Yes, BV could cause a lot of those symptoms. The leg and buttock pain could be from a lot of different things - maybe a pinched nerve or something.
The only way you'll know is testing.
The only way you'll know is testing.
Thank you! I did test positive for BV a few weeks ago and treated with Flagyl. Symptoms improved somewhat but never fully went away. I will try the daily valtrex. It seems like the symptoms never go away. Reading others stories about hsv-1, they have the first episode or 2 and then never have recurrences. I’ve never even had a lesion, but have constant symptoms.
It could be that your BV hasn't gone away, too. Don't hesitate to get another test for that.
Thank you for your advice!
You're welcome! :)
Okay, these symptoms just keep coming back. I started the valtrex yesterday and took a bv suppository last night which cleared up the fishy odor. I’m just so confused. I’m so scared that this is Hsv1 and that I could have infected someone many years ago. I’ve been having so much anxiety and panic over this. Like do I go back and disclose to relationships from 6+ years ago, or just accept it and move on. I’m just at a loss.
I really need some advice and encouragement because I feel like my live is so wrecked by this and will never be okay again.
I really need some advice and encouragement because I feel like my live is so wrecked by this and will never be okay again.
Okay, so as a woman with genital hsv2 and very prone to BV, I know it sucks.
You don't need to go back and disclose anything to anyone - you don't even know if you have anything to disclose. It's also really unlikely that you would ever transmit ghsv1 to anyone. The majority of people have hsv1 already, giving them antibodies which protect them from getting it again.
I get BV from so many things - anything but 100% cotton underwear, scented laundry detergent, scented body wash/soap, toilet paper with print or scent - I just use non-scented wipes for sensitive skin now, etc., etc. Basically, anything that touches my skin is gentle and non-scented.
Douching is really bad, and you really only have to wash the outside bits, with really gentle soap. The inside is like a self-cleaning oven.
Get some probiotics, keep taking the Valtrex, and see how it goes.
I'm sorry you're so miserable. Being a woman isn't easy some days.
You don't need to go back and disclose anything to anyone - you don't even know if you have anything to disclose. It's also really unlikely that you would ever transmit ghsv1 to anyone. The majority of people have hsv1 already, giving them antibodies which protect them from getting it again.
I get BV from so many things - anything but 100% cotton underwear, scented laundry detergent, scented body wash/soap, toilet paper with print or scent - I just use non-scented wipes for sensitive skin now, etc., etc. Basically, anything that touches my skin is gentle and non-scented.
Douching is really bad, and you really only have to wash the outside bits, with really gentle soap. The inside is like a self-cleaning oven.
Get some probiotics, keep taking the Valtrex, and see how it goes.
I'm sorry you're so miserable. Being a woman isn't easy some days.
You’re sweet. Did you get BV prior to the Hsv 2 diagnosis?
Yes, I did. I've been prone to it since I was in college, and it's gotten worse as I've gotten older.
How do you know when you have it?
BV? I get an itch - a really fierce itch, and sometimes an odor, discharge, and everything just feels really irritated.
It's a bit different for me because I've had a hysterectomy - had everything removed, my uterus, cervix, ovaries, tubes all taken out, so I don't always get the discharge like other women do.
It's a bit different for me because I've had a hysterectomy - had everything removed, my uterus, cervix, ovaries, tubes all taken out, so I don't always get the discharge like other women do.
I get the itch too, but it is localized to the right side and most of the time in a particular spot, but no lesion ever. What could that be? Discharge with a fishy odor as well. When all of that is going on, I have anal itching too. Sometimes random leg pain that correlates to vaginal pain. That’s why I’ve been terrified of it being Hsv 1.
I sent you a message!
If it's no lesion, it's probably not hsv.
Fishy odor almost always means BV.
I'll look for your message. :)
Fishy odor almost always means BV.
I'll look for your message. :)
Thank you! Messaged back.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Herpes 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.
