Hi:

I have seen a few doctors (gynos, dermatologist and infectious disease) regarding my symptoms which I have been experiencing for the past 1.5 year ever since I got together with my current bf (a virgin before he met me).

The symptoms that I experience include: itchiness, tingling sensation near the anus and small paper-like cuts down there on my vagina, perineum and anus. I was never able to see any actual cuts down there. But, one time I think I saw a slit on the side of my vagina and it disappeared very quickly the next day or two. I also noticed a rash and some swelling of my vagina the last time I experienced any symptoms. However, never any blisters.

The first itchiness I recall was a few days after having oral sex performed on me by my bf (he did not have a cold sores and has no history of cold sores and he has no symptoms). Then, almost every time we have intercourse (we always use condom), I would feel sore, dry and itchy afterwards. I recall thinking that it was strange because this never happened with my previous partners. But, it could be from rigorous sex. I also thought it could be because he's uncircumcised?

About a couple months later, I felt a small bump or cut (not sure) on one side of my vagina when I wiped myself down there. I thought it was strange. But, it went away soon. I didn't connect the itchiness with the cut.

Six months later, when I was showering, I felt numerous small cuts down there from my vagina to anus. I am sure they were cuts because it sting when soap was applied on the skin. I thought insect bites?

I freaked out and started researching on the net about it which led me to blieve that maybe I got herpes from oral sex. I went to see two different gynos a few days later. But, by the time I got to the medical office, my symptoms went away on their own. The gynos both diagnosed me with yeast infection. I used monistat cream and it seemed to help with the subsequent itchiness.

I questioned whether yeast infection could cause small cuts down there. But, since they are the doctors, not me, I just accepted their diagnosis and went on with my life.

Occasionally, I would get tiny cuts again and almost everytime I have oral or intercourse with my bf, a day or two later, I would itch again. (The last time I felt symptoms of itchiness, I didn't even have sex for a week or two!)

I went to see a dermatologist who did not examine me down there because I didn't have symptoms at the time. But, he told me that small cuts could be symptoms of herpes and agreed to do a blood test for herpes on me. The result was negative for HSV2 IGG at 0.14, positive for HSV1 IGG at 2.16. The IGM is positive at 4.22, but the IGM does not distinguish between the types. My dermatologist, when annoucing my results to me over the phone and without having examined me down there, thus told me "you have herpes. you need to abstain from sex when you have symptoms" I was devastated.

I was in denial for 2-3 months. During this period of time, I learned that there are inaccurate tests out there and the fact that I am positive for HSV1 doesn't mean what I am experiencing are genital symptoms for HSV1 since many people are carriers of type 1. I could have it orally just with no cold sores. I also remember that my mother had cold sores in the past and I grew up sharing food and drinks with her.

To confirm my status, I went to see an infectious disease doctor when I was experiencing some mild symtpoms. I showed him my previous blood results and he looked at me down there and said "he doens't see herpes." At my request, he ordered another herpes test and he also ordered a bunch of tests for diabetes and other STD's. I will find out the results next week. A few days after this visit when my symptoms pretty much subsided, I also went to see another gyno to confirm that what I have is not yeast. She didn't do any culture and just said "you don't have bacteria or yeast."

I guess my question is: How do I get an accurate diagnosis and definitive answer on whether what I have is HSV1 genitally. I pretty much think that I do have it because none of the other things I read about sounds similar to the symptoms I have and my symptoms just seem to be pretty consistent with herpes as it comes and goes on its own. Except I don't have blisters.

I guess I just need to get to my doctor as soon as I feel my symptoms down there again. But, if I don't have blisters, how can they do a viral culture?

By the way, with respect to medical terminology, is a sore the same thing as a lesion? Is a lesion the same thing as a blister?

Any input is greatly appreciated

Hi Bubble,

Herpes can give a variety of different kinds of symptoms, including tiny irritations in the skin like you describe. It can be very frustrating to get an accurate diagnosis on tiny lesions like that (as far as I know, a lesion is any kind of skin disruption caused by herpes, but I'm not a health professional). You're right that just because your blood test showed you have HSV-1 doesn't mean that's what's causing your genital symptoms. A blood test will tell you IF you have it but not WHERE.

The only way to know for sure if that's what your genital symptoms are, is to do a swab culture on fresh symptoms. There is a newer culture test called a PCR DNA test that's supposed to be much more sensitive than the old style swab cultures. Unless I'm mistaken, this is the test typically used now in studies that research asymptomatic viral shedding and therefore can often detect the virus with a minimum or absence of symptoms.

You might see if one of these doctors (the dermatologist might be most receptive) would be willing to do this test on you the next day after you get symptoms. Your bf should also get blood tested to see if he's positive for either type; if nothing else it will give you two a baseline for future comparison.

However, I'm also wondering if you might be having an allergic reaction, either instead of or along with herpes. It's possible for an OB to be triggered by friction, but it seems curious that you get this like clockwork after having sex with a condom. What crossed my mind was wondering if you might be allergic to latex or to whatever coating the condoms might have (spermicide, etc.).

Are you using a different type of condom with your bf than you used to with other partners before him? Maybe the condom company changed their ingredients? It might be worth changing brands for a while to see if anything changes, or try washing the spermicide off the condom first or something. Or try taping a condom to the inside of your arm or thigh for a day or two to see if you get a skin reaction (the skin is relatively thin in those areas).

Keep us posted how you make out.

TheOneInFour

is it posible to get your other partners tested? Maybe that could solve this story. maybe try to get your boyfriend get tested. If he doesnt have HSV1 then maybe you always had it and if he does then maybe you got it from him??

I dont know... Im not a doctor, just trying to help.