I contracted genital herpes from an assault 7 years ago. I've always battled with the the occasional mild outbreak, usually around my period time. However, about two years agoI had a huge outbreak, bigger than my first. Since then Ive taken daily alciclovir, as perscribed by my doctors. However, the outbreaks have gotten more frequent. Around October time, I started getting them every two weeks, but since around Christmas, i have lesion, then that heals, then another appears, then that heals etc etc. I'm really at my wits end. Can anyone offer advice?
I wish I knew the answer to that, because I breakout at least once a month on daily meds.
Are you drinking alcohol and staying up late, eating lots of sweets, nuts and drinking coffee?
Today is probably my first day ever I've gone w out feeling some sort of strange sensation down below, but I'm waiting for that to change, as I'm now on my second day of my cycle and usually have one sore breakout inside.
Have you stopped taking a birth control, having any other health issues and/or close to Peri menopause age?
Ugh, i totally am right there with you. I usually have 1 or 2 ob a year but for some strange reason I've had 4 since thanksgiving. Even the valtrex isn't helping me. Sorry, wish i had some advice to give but you are not alone
Are you by chance close to Peri menopause age?
Not really. I'm 38. My mom didn't menopause till she was 51
My mom started peri menopause, which is different than full blown menopause at 38. What happens w out moms, doesn't necessarily mean the same will apply for us. There are woman who start peri in their late 20s. I know that hormone levels start dropping in your late 30s, so I will be interested to hear if this other females age and maybe establish a connection w obs.
Well I'm not educated on pre menopause yet. I don't have a menstrual cycle, haven't for 4 years now cause i had the ablation surgery.
Notice any changes in your mood, hot flashes, night sweats?
I also had back to back outbreaks, however, I found having a large slice of pineapple everyday helped me and when I feel an outbreak coming on I increase the pineapple. Also have a good Vitamin C approx 1000 ml.
Please let me know if it helps you too. I hope it does
Kind Regards
I take lots of vitamin c as is, but haven't tried pineapple. I will go ahead and incorporate that in and let you know. Thanks
Even though it's awful, it makes me feel better im not alone. I stopped birth control about 6 months ago because it was effecting my outbreaks and wanted it all out of my system. I'm 26, so not sure about the peri menopausal, will have to research more into what that means/is. I've limited coffee to one cup a day, I don't eat excessive sugar, but could cut down further. I do a lot of running and eat healthy, so I don't know if it's diet related. Thank you for your reply. I guess we can just keep taking the meds and hope for the best...!!
I take daily multi vitamins aswell as echinacea. I'm also prescribed iron tablets, plus my alciclovir. I will try the pineapple though! Thanks!
I'm really not sure what Peri Menopausal means... I'm only 26...
No changes in mood, temperatures etc. I've recently moved and started a new job, but in happier than ever and had more sleep! So I don't think its that. Luckily my partner is being understanding, but I'm worried I'll be like this for the rest of my life??!
Why do you think it's the birth control causing the obs? I'm on BC as well, but I can't stop taking it, because I have severe endometriosis. If I stopped it, I'd end up having surgery again and this time likely a hysterectomy, so it's not an option for me. Now you're making me wonder if it is my BC? I wouldn't worry if you were Peri meno at your age, I was just trying to figure out what could have changed for you.
Do you feel like anything has changed w your health as of late? To me, it leads me to believe your immune system is tied up elsewhere. I wish there was a drug that could put the virus to sleep indefinitely..
How about your alcohol intake? Alcohol will trigger mine, but only when I go out drinking all night and drink stuff like vodka, cranberry and red bull. Those nights, I usually didn't take my pill, but would break out by morning. I'm at least thankful for the fact my obs arw jot painful while on the meds and although I will get red bumps and/or blisters.. They never really turn into a lesion. I found that taking 1000mlgs twice last week vs my daily 500, has made a difference in my symptoms. I usually have itching daily or crawly feelings and I'm not really.
Do yiu have stuff like that? Like feels like a bug is crawling on your skin on your buttock and or back of leg ever? It is a tickling feeling that makes you itch it once and then it stops.
Perimenopause, or menopause transition, begins several years before menopause. It's the time when the ovaries gradually begin to make less estrogen. It usually starts in a woman's 40s, but can start in her 30s or even earlier.
Perimenopause lasts up until menopause, the point when the ovaries stop releasing eggs. In the last 1 to 2 years of perimenopause, this drop in estrogen speeds up. At this stage, many women have menopause symptoms.
How Long Does Perimenopause Last?
The average length of perimenopause is 4 years, but for some women this stage may last only a few months or continue for 10 years. Perimenopause ends when a woman has gone 12 months without having her period.
Does your partner have herpes too? If not, would you mind sharing your story on telling him and how he handled it? I've not been through meeting someone and telling them yet. I've been infected since last July now.
Thank you for this, my periods are still regular though
Amino acid Arginine is the main culprit that instigates herpes outbreaks so foods rich in that should be avoided and foods (or supplement) lysine should be taken instead to quell the herpes outbreaks. Here is a list of supplements said to moderate the virus and reduce its outbreak:
- monolaurin
- caprylic acid
- olive leaf extract
- lemon balm
- butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) found to reduce length of outbreaks
Of course, none of these will eliminate the virus but sure help in keeping it dormant.
Have your outbreaks gotten better?