STDS & Anxiety

[Fearful_violet]

I don't even know where to start unraveling  this giant ball of anxiety I have concerning this, so here goes nothing. Ever since I became sexually active at age 16 (I'm 20 now) I have had this horrific fear of contracting an STD/finding out I have one. I have had three sexual partners in total and regardless of visiting sexual clinics on numerous occasions I can't shake the feeling I have something, whether HIV, herpes, etc... For the sake of total disclosure I have terrible anxiety and have been told by therapist. My recent fear is that I have herpes. I had an unprotected sexual encounter last year and am still panicked about it. But, my current fear comes from the bumps I have. I shaved recently and am pretty positive that is what is causing my pain, and even though I can convince myself for 20 mins that I'm fine, I CANNOT stop panicking about these bumps. Even typing this I feel a sense of panic and also a sense of calm. There is a part of me that wants to rush to a sexual health clinic, but there is a part of me that wants to not do that because I've done that so many times in the past, upwards of 17+ times to calm myself, only to be told that I'm okay and don't have anything. Though once I did have bumps and the lady said "could be herpes, might not be I don't know" but I never get bumps on the inner part just my outer lips. What can I do to stop this anxiety it is ruining my life?

[Fearful_violet]

I apperciate the reply, the worst part is I'm pretty positive it's from shaving but I just can't stop worrying, I wish I knew how to stop the fear

[Life360_Dave]

HI, have a blood test and next time the sores show up have them swabbed within 48 hours after appearing. If it happens after you shave, its most likely from shaving. You not very sexually active so your risk is quite low.