Unsure if I am experiencing herpes symptoms

Sexual health
1

Hello everyone

I had unprotected anal sex about two months ago. (17 July). On the 19th of August I felt itchy around my vulva (specifically above my just above my clitoral hood) and upon examination I noticed the skin was red and there were bumps (under the skin without heads) however these bumps are not in the same area as the reddness, and only show when the skin is stretched (These might be normal but I am unsure), also some of the red skin has very small (pin point sized) bumps that have yellow heads, the bumps are spaced out evenly from one another and occupy patches two patches of skin (one is left of clit and up high and the other patch is on the right side and lower down). The itchiness went away around the 29th of August however all the red skin and bumps stayed. I have started feeling itchy again, (13th of sept).

Sorry if this is a dumb question as I dont have any blistery bumps but I understand a lot of genital herpes is asymptomatic or very mild, I don't know much about herpes though so I have no idea if my symptoms could be herpes. Also I have never looked at my vulva area so much and am unsure about which bumps are new or just how my vulva looks

I was wondering if it is likely that I have herpes. Also worth mentioning the redness is located on either side of my clitoris, but one side is more itchy and red than the other.  (The itchiness is very mild and almost just like a tingling).

Many thanks 

2

1. Those white bumps under your skin are completely normal. We all have them.

2. I don't know hun, hard to tell at this stage. Unless you break out in a blisterbir ulcer, there's not a whole lot of testing that can be done now. If you never get one of those, you will need to wait 4 months post exposure to be tested and make sure you ask for an IgG type specific ELISA blood test.

4. Itching can be caused from irritation, yeast infections and even BV. Do you have any discharge? Does it burn to pee?

3

When I first noticed the itch I went to my GP and he said it didnt look like herpes (I believe he meant there were no blisters) 

So he told me to use thrush cream and it didnt do anything. 

I have no abnormal discharge. Also, I have been using an antibacterial sensitive cleanser on the itch (the doctor said this wouldnt irritate it and may soothe it). The cleanser hasnt been helping.

I will be going to a Sexual Health Clinic to be tested for HIV and other STDs and I will ask about that blood test then. Thank you for telling me about it  

4

No, just make sure you wait at a minimum 3 no hs post exposure for that blood test. Good luck!

5

Hi! I've noticed you've helped quite a few people and was wondering if you could do the same?