Could I have herpes? :(

Sexual health
1

I've been having vaginal problems for a few months now and I've gone to the doctor about three times for it now. My doctor says she doesn't think I have herpes, and won't test me for it! I've been tested for just about everything else, and my boyfriend who I have been exclusive with for over a year has been tested for EVERYTHING before we got intimate (including herpes) and it came out negative.

That said, let me explain what's been going on...

I've been experiencing really bad itching, it's mostly around the bottom of my vaginal entrance (between the vagina and anus) and a bit on the lips around the area as well. It's an intense itch that I scratch with such intensity, it actually hurts! I also get cuts between my vagina and anus sometimes, usually very small, shallow cuts that are kind of long and look like they may have been a product of my scratching but who knows. They hurt when I'm wiping myself or touching them but that's about it. I don't experience any discharge, though.

Also, a few times (maybe three in the past 6 months?) I've gotten lumps in my vaginal lips. They were deep under the skin and were quite large. They didn't hurt unless I touched them. I also got one under my armpit which I thought was strange but maybe it has some connection?

Does this sound typical of herpes? Yes, I know it could be a possibility, but does this sound like it's probable to be herpes? What else might it be?

Some things to note...

- I wipe myself really hard when I go to the bathroom. Maybe it could be contributing to make things worse. But I've done this my entire life so I don't think it's a cause.

- I have very sensitive skin. Could this be a skin condition of some sort?

- I used to experience yeast infections somewhat frequently when I was a child and my doctor did treat me for one a couple months back saying I did indeed have one. But I've been itching on and off almost non-stop for about 6 months now. Could it be yeast infections for that long? If so, what could be causing them? Could sexual intercourse be the culprit?

Please give me your opinions! >__< My doctor isn't really helping and it's too expensive to keep going back...

2

I do not know which country you are in but in UK we have specialist centres, called GUM clinics which are sexual disease centres. The GPs do not know a great deal about sexual disease, so its no good to go to them for help.

I would advise contacting a specialist to get a good examination. If the doctor you have mentioned is already a specialist then I would suggest finding a second opinion from an independent specialist.

3

I'm from the US, I guess I should have been a bit more clear but I meant my gynecologist. I also saw my regular practitioner once when I got the lump in my armpit and told her I also had them in my vagina sometimes, but she didn't seem concerned and blamed it on shaving. rolleyes

I have another appointment to see my gynecologist tomorrow. Hopefully if she sees months later, I'm still itching, then she'll know something is definitely up and we can get to the bottom of this.

I'm just hoping that I won't be diagnosed with herpes because my sensitive skin is already irritated from sex without condoms, and with it it's just downright unpleasant. I think my sex life will be pretty much over if I have it.... : (

But everytime I read up on herpes, the only thing I have that seems to line up is the itching and the cuts, but the cuts don't look anything like the ones Ive seen on the web. Do they usually always occur in the same exact spot?

4

Well you obviously have something going on. Did your doctor not do any blood tests or smear tests ? If not I am sorry to say but it sounds like she is a bit of a joke, so I would strongly advise to see another ! Maybe find an independent sexual health clinic and just pay for tests ?? After all there is no price too high for your health and it is obviously making you not happy - so time to get it fixed.

5

Did you find out what you had after all???