Unusual Symptoms

[sones]

Hello,

About 2 weeks ago, I began presenting the following symptoms that have now subsided considerably. I went to my gynecologist as quickly as possible, and he ruled out a yeast infection. He suggested it was trauma from sex, but recommended I return 2 weeks later to do STI testing. The 2-week wait was because he wanted to avoid a false negative. I went to the doctor again today and am awaiting results. Considering the following symptoms, what is your opinion?

– Burning/tingling sensation on vagina
– Bloating and pressure in lower stomach
– Redness and slight inflammation on labia majora and minora
– No blisters or sores
– Lower back pain

[Terri Warren]

It would be helpful for me to know something about your sexual history. When did you last have sex with anyone? Are you in an ongoing relationship?
If you have had a recent exposure you were concerned about, you should wait 4 months from your last concerning sexual encounter. Two weeks is not adequate.

The burning and tingling and inflammation might be suggestive of herpes but that could also be other things. Herpes does not cause bloating and pressure in the lower stomach nor does it cause low back pain. did they rule out pelvic inflammatory disease after the exam?

Terri

[sones]

I have had 2 new sex partners in the last month and a half, both of which I no longer see. My most recent sexual encounter was a little over 2 weeks ago.

My gynecologist did not mention pelvic inflammatory disease at all.

[Terri Warren]

Was a bimanual exam done where he put his fingers by your cervix in your vagina? I’m a little concerned about the pressure and pain that you describe, completely separate from the herpes concern.

When you get your labs back, be sure an IgM was not done for herpes – what you need is an IgG antibody test that separates HSV 1 from HSV 2. If you want to post your results I can help you interpret them. But it is too soon to know for sure if their of these partners gave you herpes.

Terri

[sones]

I did not realize I had to wait that long before testing for herpes. Can you tell me more about why that is?

My gynecologist said the blood test results were negative, but I did test positive for high-risk HPV. Would HPV cause any of those symptoms?

He did perform a bimanual exam and said everything felt normal.

I will ask for my blood test results when I visit him next week. Do they typical just print it off for you? I’ve never asked for test results like this before.

Thank you for your help.

[Terri Warren]

When blood testing is done for herpes, it is looking for antibody to the virus, not the virus itself. It takes time to make antibody to herpes because it is something you make yourself, not something you get from someone else. Most people make antibody within 2-12 weeks though some people take up to 16 weeks to make antibody. If you test too soon after a possible exposure, the test can be falsely negative. That is why it is best to wait the recommended amount time, because you want the most accurate test possible.

Yes if you want a copy of your test results you just need to ask your providers office to print it out for you.

If the bimanual exam was normal then that probably indicates that you don’t have pelvic inflammatory disease.

High risk HPV would not cause the symptoms that you’re describing but high-risk HPV is concerning. I’m certain that your doctor talked with you about how to deal with this positive test for HPV.

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Terri

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