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Could this be genital herpes?
I am setting up an appointment with a gyno ASAP - but I'm really confused and upset and am hoping someone can shed some light on this.
For the past 3 weeks I have been dealing with what I *thought* was a severe yeast infection. I tend to get them a lot, and they typically go away on their own, but this one was especially bad so I took Diflucan. What was unusual was that I had some pain when urinating, but I heard that this can occur with a yeast infection, so I didn't think anything of it.
It appeared to improve thanks to the Diflucan, and then I had my period, which ended today. Today, in the shower, I noticed that it was especially painful to wash "down there" and upon closer examination I noticed a bunch of teeny, tiny, almost invisible little red bumps all the way down my inner labia. They hurt to the touch and I assume urine getting on them was why it hurt to pee.
I have had unprotected sex with two different people - both long term, long distance boyfriends. The first boyfriend was tested (or so he claims) for all STDs and came back negative. We only had unprotected sex on one occasion, a week after which I also experienced some pain and what felt like sores to me. My gyno told me it was BV and a yeast infection and said she didn't see any sores. Sure enough, after using the BV treatment all of my symptoms went away.
The second boyfriend and I had unprotected sex with some frequency (I am on birth control), and I am also the first person he has ever had unprotected sex with. I haven't had sex with anyone since, except for oral two months ago, and that person didn't present with any sores on the mouth or anything like that.
Could this be herpes?
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I think you may be jumping off the deep end on this one. Since you are going to see your GYN, which is a good idea, we should let the doctor have the final say.
If your current boyfriend had herpes and you gave him oral sex it is very possible you would have sore around your mouth.
Now none of us are doctors so to make a diagnosis is not something we do. Common sense says to me with the fact that you had a yeast infection and if you shave down there. It is very possible that razor burn is more likely which may have become inflamed from the yeast infection or even infected.
Should I be correct in my assumption the doctor will probably prescribe a topical antibiotic and possibly an oral one as well. If so I would refrain from unprotected sex during the inflammation.
In fact until you are in a long term relationship, either living with someone or married. I suggest even though you are on birth control that you practice safe sex and use condoms. Besides the protections condoms offer from most STDS and the HIV/AIDS virus a condom increases the protection against unwanted pregnancy for someone on birth control to almost 100%
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The doctor will make the diagnosis, but don't immediately assume the worst. It's responding to yeast infection treatment, which is a fair indication that it is one. They can be extremely difficult to shake-off, and having one recur quickly (sometimes over and over again) is very far from unusual. The stuff is basically 'in you' all the time, it's an excess of it that causes the problem. Normally your body keeps it in check...just enough and no more. Quite often your general health is a key player in getting rid of it. So a general health check might be good, especially if you're feeling a bit physically 'low'. I'm not saying it's an indicator of an undiagnosed illness, don't panic! Just a bit 'run down'. A case of helpful diet changes (avoiding some foods, maybe just for now), vitamin supplements....that sort of stuff. If it's herpes, well about 50 perecent of women will be treated for it at some time by the age of 30. It's extremely 'catching' and it's not a bad statement about the sexual health and hygiene of you or your partner. So don't get too upset. Best of luck. Both are eminently treatable. Neither are particularly pleasant, true! They can be very painful and irritating. Neither pose a sinister or long-term effect to your life, or quality of life. But both have an annoying habit of popping up again. Especially yeast infections. The culprit in a yeast infection loves sugar. Too much sugar makes sugar in your pee. Which feeds the bloody stuff! First thing to cut out is sugar-laden soft drinks then? You'll find lots of practical support and advice like this on line about kicking yeast infections for good, not just while you're using the medication...and having them appear again after you stop. They are REALLY common.
ps meant to add (then forgot!) that nail whitlows and cold sores are also herpes of course, so it's all well-known territory and straightforward to cure. I really would have a chat about your general condition with a doctor if you get keep getting repeated yeast infections though. And the end of winter is a time when we do tend to get a bit lower in general condition. Work (or any other) stress can also be a factor. Definitely have a look at some websites and discussion forums. Even changing from some (highly scented and artificial) soap or shower gel to a 'natural' unscented or dermatologically tested one can be the break you need.
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