Genital Herpes & Constipation?

Sexual health
21

Hey there,

I'm in my 1st OB and have found myself constipated for over a week now. Before I was able to get into my doctor's office for a diagnosis, I realized how I was having so much trouble going. This is worse than my pain post-cesarean section with my son. Holy cow!

I actually found this post from Google. And I'm glad I'm not alone now.

Not to be TMI, but I feel like I have no control. I can't go, I can't even fart. My butt is completely numb. Prior to starting my anti-viral, I had to apply pressure to my genital region to try and go since the pain was horrible. I felt like I was birthing an elephant or something. I used to go twice a day every day, if not more. And this not going everyday is driving me nuts! Then again, I haven't been eating a whole lot. I've lost 5# in one weekend.

I also would say I've had a lot of pain in my hips, along with pain coming and going in different parts of my leg too. I used to suffer from sciatica, and haven't had a flare-up with that in a long time. This hip/leg pain was nothing like that.

I'm definitely going to read that article. And see if this occurs every time I have an outbreak or if it'll get better eventually. If there is a link, I'd believe it.

22

Hi and thanks for posting! I've always thought I was the only one with constipation during and in the week before an outbreak . I am lucky to have a prescription for acyclovir filled and on hand to take at the first sign of the herpes. It really helps if you take it as early as poss. I've been lucky to have been spared from the pain that you suffer. I hope you get some relief and answers as to how to handle the issue. Keep us posted. Thank you! Lisa

23

Hi Nitelite007: I'm so sorry to hear about your problems with constipation since your out break. I've also been having difficulties with side effects from the acyclovir I use for treatment. I hope things turn around for you and you get relief soon.

Sincerely,

Lisa

24

Hi triton and thanks for this. I contracted hsv2 about three weeks ago and my bowel movements have not been normal since. Usually I would go a couple of times a day. But since the outbreak and a five day Zovirax cure, which calmed down the skin outbreak, I've not had any feeling on my bum, around my rectum or genital area. Have also been constipated and had to buy some laxatives yesterday to give relief. It seems as though the loss of feeling I'm experiencing also affects the gut. I have no pain. Just don't understand how it can not come out. Laxatives have given a little relief and a lot of gas. I don't want to continue on these so will try out the smooth move tea and prune juice. This is so depressing. Also the loss of sensation while intercourse is really getting me down, does this not pass?

25

Hi triton,

I am a male and going through the exactly same symptoms and pains as you. My tailbone and lower spinal area is really affected by this. Has their been any progress since this post? Also I have been experiencing this for a year now and it has made my life hell. I used to be so incredibly fit, this has just put me on a downward spiral since last year. I'm becoming close to having zero nerve feeling in my gut and it's very concerning if this becomes irreversible.

I also have been seeing specialists in gastro and they have performed endoscopy, colonoscopy and breath tests for infections. All results are negative and clear.

26

Please let me know if you had any progress because I feel doctors have no knowledge of this infection affecting the colon. This is serious and speaking from my experience this is only getting worse.

27

I had this during and after my first ob the pain in the base of my spine was horrible it was fine to walk but to sit and cough etc hurt so much,

It also effected how i passed urine aswell as the constipation which sucks

I started sleeping with one thin pillow to help with the pain in my spine and also bathed in hot water a few times a day as silly as it sounds it relieves so much of the pain and bloating also gravity does wonders as i have found out through my job as a carer but if you do not fully sit down ans kind of hover it will cause less pressure and may help you to go to the toilet

Try to avoid painkillers as i personally found it caused further constipation

28

faith74456

You said "had" this problem during and after your first OB...does this mean it eventually went away? If so, how long did it take for you to get back to normal GI function? I also have bladder issues, namely spasms on ocassion and a feeling that I'm not completely emptying...but this issue is nothing compared to the life-altering constipation.

29

It lasted 3 weeks in its full swing but its only just got better its still not returned to normal as of yet but im just doing my usual thing and hoping for the best

30

Hi all -

I know it's been a while since I've replied and I know some of you replied to me. Sorry for the delay.

To give you all a little bit of an update..

About 2-2.5 months ago(1 year mark since contracting HSV) I decided to slowly ween myself off the prune juice and Smooth Move tea. The bloating has gone down quite a bit and I can feel hunger the next morning. Prior to that, the constipation/bloating was so bad, I'd wake up the next morning still feeling full. My bowel movements are no where near what they were prior to contracting HSV, but they're much, much better than when this initially started.

Few things that seem to be working..

- Drink, drink, drink water.

- I take magnesium pills every dinner. They're supposed to help get more water in your stools.

- Limit the junk food you eat, and any kind of alcoholic intake especially(for the immediate future at least).

- Get 7-8hrs of sleep at minimum. Make your sleep cycle routine.

- Slowly try to ween yourself off Smooth Move tea, then prune juice. You do not want to be 'nuking' your digestive tract for too long. Albeit.. Smooth Move and prune juice is the best option as compared to pills, etc.

My bowel movements are in the morning when I wake up. I'm still on the toilet for about 30-40mins, but it's no longer pebbles and it's not as long as before! During the first month, I felt like I'd empty out 10-30%. Now it's closer to 65-90% depending on the day. I'm still able to only go in the mornings.

Train your body. I know it sounds silly, but make it a point that when you wake up, you go to the bathroom. You may not get much done right away, but it's a start.

I've been relatively outbreak free with a few minor ones here and there for the past 7-8 months. About two weeks ago, I had a major outbreak. Sure enough, constipated just like before!!! I stuck to my routine, used prune juice sparingly 2-3 mornings in total, and now I'm back to the 65-90%.

Do the outbreaks/herpes have something to do with it? Yup - pretty certain at this point. I have a strange soreless on the right side of my tailbone but it feels as though it's the colon/intestine - which has been lingering since the last outbreak.

Last couple of items.. I have an initial appointment with a GI motility lab/specialist tomorrow. They're apparently the go-to for these things and I had to wait months to see them. I'll keep you all updated on how I progress, what news I get.

Lastly, do NOT give up. I understand every person and situation is different, but my ordeal HAS gotten better. So will yours. Take care of yourself, and your body. Maybe the reason this is so underreported is because the symptom goes away with time? I'm not sure but I wish you all the best of luck.

I'll check in from time-to-time.

Thanks all.

31

faith74456

How long has it been since your first OB? Do you currently need laxatives?

I contracted the virus in January and have been suffering from constipation since...no improvement at all...and I require laxatives in addition to fiber, water, laxative teas and prune juice. Without all these aids I would not have a bowel movement. 

It it is encouraging to hear that some people get better in time and that some people have constipation only during an OB. That suggests the nerve damage to the colon is reversible. For me, it feels permanent because I've been this way since January and I'm not getting better.

I wonder if anyone with this horrible virus ever gets back to normal?

32

First outbreak was about a month ago now didnt last very long but the paij constipation carried on it was keeping me awake at night i thought i had something seriously wrong with me seeing as before that i suffered with ibs and had to try to avoid certain foods which all of a sudden i could eat and nothing still couldnt go to the toilet but i jist carried on as normal carried on my usual diet and hoped fot the best but its slowly improving and like triton said train your body regardless if i could go i still went to the toilet and tried and it is getting better the pain has finally subsided and is barely noticable and constipation feels like its getting a bit better but it must all be a nerve thing because before the outbreak i was fine

33

Hi triton,

Thank you for your post. You've just saved my life as I am desperate regarding this issue. I used to be pretty healthy and active before H, but since contracting it, my body doesn't work properly"down there". I have weird symptoms - urethritis, back pain, hip pain......and yes, constipation!!! I never had such a big problem before and while reading article about Yale study, I was almost planning suicide with perspective not to be able to do such a basic thing like po.... without laxative! I am happy you've got so much better. I was terrified the nerve damage is permanent. It's not possible to find much info about that on official sites or from doctors (I'm giving up on them, didn't help me with anything). Thank God for your post and other support H sites. I don't know what I would do without it. Doctors are pretty lost when the H doesn't present typically with lesions and so.... thats why hsv is so often misdiagnosed as uti, sciatica, ....

34

You mentioned having urethritis. In addition to constipation, rhe most debilitating symptom for me, i also have slight burning sensation every time i urinate. I thought i had a bladder infection but i dont. This problem started wgen the constipation started and has been with me since January when I contracted HSV2. What do you do for that??

Thank you for your post.

35

Hi there,

I have big problem with constipation. Urithretis hasn't come for more than week, so I assume hsv now torture my bowels instead. My urethritis didn't hurt when I peed, but I had urgency and everything inside hurt so much. I am very desperate because of that virus. I hope it will get better as triton writes.

Take care.

36

Also, I find honeycomb herpes support website the best for advice and help.

37

There's also research section, so you can find info which gives me lot of hope.

38

hi monqiue

i'm sorry you're going through this. never ever contemplate taking excessive prescription pills! it's just not worth it! our situations will most likely get much, much better. over time, of course.

i saw a gi motility specialist last week and he believes that H can affect a variety of our body parts, colon included. he also said that if this was the case, it may very well get better with time. the initial infection/ob is the worst, and as a result, it takes our body time to adjust and recuperate. he also said that laxatives will clear the liquids out, but not necessarily the stool every time.

i definitely remember times when i took the laxatives and couldn't empty out - just liquids. he prescribed 500mg pills of 'triphala'. eastern medicine. 1 pill a night. it's meant to help detox and rejuvinate the digestive tract.

give it a try. i would say that + smooth move tea are the best things i've seen so far. + plenty of water, and magnesium tablets. get a lot of sleep as well. it will take time, but i have hope your body will adjust as well.

39

Hi everyone, I'm surprised how many are suffering from this illness. In my case Ive been treated for HSV-2 with a supresive daily dosage of Valtrex, which seems to be not enough as I am having outbreaks every 2 or 3 months, which comes along with horrible headaches, and constipation. I also have a lower back problem that has not improved after many osteo therapies, and Ive suspected it  could be related with the virus. After suggesting to my doctor about the possibility that my CNS could be compromised, he thinks my symptoms are not so bad to believe it, because I haven't had any seizures fever or neurological problems.  However I have read that some chronic Viral diseases can have long incubation periods with a slow but progressive evolution. Therefore  I'd like to ask if anyone have had a lumbar puncture to discard the virus affecting the Central Nervous System, and what could be the signs that can tell you if the infection is going far to that stage. Appreciate your comments.

40

Thank you so much. I hope I will get better soon. My bowels hurt because of the stress of constipation, I am scared, but hopeful.