help please

[cloudydays]

I recently started having unprotected sex with a new partner. I also had the Mirena IUD inserted a little over a month ago. This combination caused multiple (clinically diagnosed) yeast infections. The insertion of the Mirena has also caused near constant vulvodynia and depression due to hormones. Two weeks ago I thought I was having the beginning symptoms of another yeast infection and treated it with monistat 3. This initiated a burning sensation that has moved from my vagina to the perineum and rectal area and then back up and all over again. The burning sensation has lasted for two weeks and has been more intense in different parts at different times. I have gone to the doctor twice during this time trying to figure out what is going on and they did not see any lesions and did not know what to tell me, I tested negative for yeast (although meds were still present during that time), C and G. I have felt strangely feverish for a couple of days (not in a row) during this past week and more recently have felt pain in my rear and inside of the thighs. I have also been extremely anxious about what is happening and have been loosing sleep. Still there are no visible sores. During the past two days, I have started to feel the need to urinate often but no remarkable pain during urination.

Does this sound like a herpes outbreak or could it be something else?
I recently tested negative for HSV-2 but there is a chance that I could have GHSV1 from a previous partner and that was triggered by the IUD and hormonal change. I did not get tested for GHSV1 because of having oral HSV1 as a teen. I am concerned that I have either infected my current partner (it has been 12 days since our last sexual encounter when I still thought it was just a yeast infection), or that they have given me HSV-2.

I am also wondering how often is GHSV-1 transmitted genitally as I haven’t found any stats on that in my research.

Thanks

[Terri Warren]

If you have had HSV 1 orally as a child, it is extremely unlikely that you would now have it genitally, I have only seen or heard of it twice in 33 years of practice. Besides, your symptoms are not consistent with HSV 1 genitally. So take that off your plate. And if you waited at least 12 weeks between last sexual exposure and HSV 2 testing and it is negative, you can take that off your plate also.

Have you had someone recheck the positioning of the Mirena?

Terri

[cloudydays]

Hi Terri,

Thank you for responding. Yes, someone has checked the position of the Mirena and that is fine. My last possible exposure (and his) was 13 days ago, not 12 weeks, and I have been having unprotected sex with this partner for just over a month and a half. I was tested for HSV2 before my new partner and was negative. I did have oral H as a child, but I have been reading on the forum that you don’t consider inside the mouth lesions (just inside the lip, not a canker sore) as Herpes? I was diagnosed by my pediatrician and did get it by kissing someone who had the same symptom, don’t remember if it was a swab or observational diagnosis. I am so confused about what is going on!

Are my new symptoms may be consistent with HSV2?

How often is GHSV-1 transmitted genitally?

Thanks

[Terri Warren]

Genital HSV 1 is not often transmitted via intercourse but it can be.
When I mentioned the 12 weeks, I was referring to your initial testing that you said was negative. Was that done at least 12 weeks after your last sexual encounter?
Has this partner been tested, do you know?

Terri

[cloudydays]

Oh sorry. Yes, my blood test was taken well over 12 weeks past my previous partner. So I know I did not have HSV2 before my current partner. The reason why I keep asking about GHSV-1 is that I may have been infected over seven years ago… I don’t know for sure, my then partner had oral OBs all the time.

Could multiple factors such as hormonal changes, painful IUD insertion (about a month prior to symptoms), stressful time in life, having sex after not having sex for a long time have triggered the virus and caused a really bad OB? Or monistat irritated OB? Still no visible sores or lesions, but a small amount of burning and redness remain, although it has reduced to lining the labia minora and rectum and some inside the vagina, just feels weird up there. It has been almost three weeks of ongoing, mainly burning symptoms. My uterus was spasming last night but that is probably unrelated.

The other possibility is that my current partner has unknowingly given me HSV2. They said they were tested for everything, but upon further probing, I don’t think that meant herpes. Baffles me why this is less than a priority. I know that it is not life threatening but it never goes away and people should know!

Do you think these symptoms sound like they could be HSV2?
Could it also be aggravated GHSV-1 due to current conditions?
When will it be safe to have sex again?

It has been 17 days since the last encounter and I am starting to feel some relief in that my partner hasn’t had any symptoms but am beginning to be increasingly concerned about myself.

Thank you for your help!

[Terri Warren]

You mention your burning is “lining the labia minora” and some inside the vagina. That sounds sound like herpes to me. Herpes is pretty much in a specific place, not “lining” anything. And herpes would not likely last three weeks with just burning. This really doesn’t sound like new HSV 2 to me, if I had to guess. And if you have HSV 1 genitally, that will not be easy to determine as it recurs infrequently and sheds less often. If you have a genital lesion, have it swab tested. But please don’t jump the conclusion that your symptoms are herpetic – there is just no evidence of that at this point in my mind.

Terri

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