Shedding n f to f spread

[AzukaGrace]

Hello again! I’ve had Hsv2 for 7 years. For most of the time I was on 1000mg of valacyclovir and when I changed doctors about 4 years ago, I was put on 500 mg. As far as I am aware, I have only had one initial outbreak. I come to you with questions about shedding the virus at this point in time, as I believe it lessens coupled with being on medication.I am currently in my 1st relationship with a woman (I am female). That being said, I know that there are few statistics in terms of female to female transmission. I have disclosed that I still worry. Any advice or statistics that you can share on both shedding stats and transmission from female to female. How about on fingers? I know that hsv-2 does not like to live orally. Any advice would really be wonderful. It’s been many years but you have truly helped me. I am grateful and can’t wait your reply.

[Terri Warren]

You are correct that we don’t have any female to female transmission data, sure wish we did. Oral sex (the giver) has little risk of acquiring HSV 2 orally as HSV 2 doesn’t like the mouth area very well, you are correct. The receiver of oral sex has no risk of acquiring HSV 1, should the other partner has it as HSV 2 protects against HSV 1.

If fingers are intact, there is no risk of transmission.

If there is genital to genital rubbing this is limited risk, but not zero. Female to female transmission of HSV 2 is quite uncommon, but again, not zero.

If you take daily antiviral medication, either 500 or 1000, the risk is reduced significantly.

Please let me know what other questions you may have.
Terri

[AzukaGrace]

Hi Terry. Thanks for your responses. I am still nervous about female to female transmission, but I do feel a little better.
I am curious to know about sex toys and strap ons in terms of transmission if the person with HSV2 is the receiver.
Also, is it better to take 1000mg of the valacyclovir or is the 500 mg just as effective in terms of passing the virus?
Does having gone through menopause change any stats whatsoever? I would assume not, but one never knows…also would dry skin both inside and outside the vagina due to menopause cause any kind of a threat in terms of shedding or does one just shed when they shed? I don’t particularly feel I have an issue but I am curious in case. Is there a particular lubricant that is best for those of us with HSV2, water based? Coconut oil? I have heard coconut oil is helpful.
Any need to worry about lying naked and touching one another’s boxer short area? (spooning for example)?
You have given me great info, but I am very interested in learning as much as possible to protect my partner to the best of my ability…

[Terri Warren]

Sex toys are a potential method of transmission if the toy is first put into the vagina of someone with HSV 2 and then put into the vagina of someone who does not have HSV 2.
It is likely not much better to take 1000 mg rather than 500. Some people do benefit from 500 taking twice a day however.
I don’t think the type of lubricant is as important as just using lubricant because for some people, rough or prolonged intercourse (or use of toys) can be a trigger for an outbreak.
Spooning without genital to gential contact is not a risk for transmission, no.

Terri

[AzukaGrace]

Ok. This literally just happened.I don’t mean to be graphic but honestly.. I’m nervous. I briefly and I mean briefly put my finger into my own vagina with my female partner. I then panicked. I put it in my mouth to “clean it off”.

We continued playing/fooling around/foreplay. I began touching her clit but was careful to use other fingers. I know that I had to accidently touch her with the same finger I had briefly touched myself with. I don’t think I entered her, but I may have slightly. I continued to use other fingers but am somewhat scared that I could have done better. I feel awful. Should I be worried? I realize there’s a chance and I was careless. Is it a huge risk? Ugh. I hope not. I’m feeling guilty and nervous.
.

[Terri Warren]

No, you should not be worried. It is not a risk. You are overestimating the risk of transmission in this scenario. First, we have no idea if you were shedding virus at that moment. Two, the contact of your finger and your vagina was very brief and three, putting your finger in your mouth probably removed any potential virus that was present. And fourth, you used other fingers mostly when touching her. Stop worrying.

Terri

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