Can Herpes Cause Pelvic Pain

What Should I Know If I Am Pregnant And I Have Genital Herpes

Its normal to be concerned about the health of your baby when you have any type of STI. Genital herpes can be transmitted to your baby if you have an active outbreak during a vaginal delivery.

Its important to tell your doctor that you have genital herpes as soon as you know youre pregnant.

Your doctor will discuss what to expect before, during, and after you deliver your baby. They can prescribe pregnancy-safe treatments to ensure a healthy delivery. They may also opt to deliver your baby via cesarean.

How To Treat Genital Herpes

Antiviral drugs are available by prescription only. There are numerous drugs available, but no current antiviral treatments can eliminate an HSV infection for good. Early treatment is very important with the first oral or genital infection. Its important to be aware that treatment does not prevent the virus from moving into the nerves and causing chronic infection. Treatment may, however, decrease the severity of the symptoms and shorten the length of time of the outbreak. Alternative treatments include topical treatments and intravenous therapy for severe cases.

Taking antiviral drugs does not prevent an infected person from passing it to their partner. Using protection when either partner is infected can help prevent transmission.

What Does Genital Herpes Do To The Body

Herpes simplex virus involves a complex cycle of events. Herpes simplex viruses are considered latent infections, meaning they are a type of persistent, lifelong viral infection passed through sexual contact. The virus enters the body through the genital or oral mucosal tissues or sores of the skin, and then replicates. Following the incubation period, one or more lesions may appear. This is considered the primary infection.

While the blisters form, rupture, crust over, and finally disappear, the virus makes its way into a group of nerve cells near the spinal cord that supply the nerve fibers in the primary infected area. Viral DNA can remain dormant here until the body is stressed. When this happens, the virus reactivates, begins multiplying again, and travels through the nerve fibers back to the skin. This reaction causes eruptions of blisters in the same area of skin that was previously affected. This is referred to as a secondary infection. When that infection clears, the virus can become latent again, sometimes for months or years, and then the cycle starts all over.

The herpes virus can infect different parts of the body, including various organs and tissues. This is particularly true if the infected person has a compromised immune system.

The herpes simplex viruses can cause inflammation and infection in the following body systems:

Respiratory

Urinary/Reproductive

Skin

Brain/Nervous system

Recommended Reading: Over The Counter Drugs For Herpes

Red Light Therapy Can Reduce Duration Of Outbreaks

Red light therapy is a type of treatment proven to help reduce the duration of herpes outbreaks. Clinical research has shown that treatment with red light can shorten the healing time of herpes outbreaks even more than traditional treatments.

The Luminance RED lip sore device and genital sore device are FDA-registered medical devices that use the same kind of high-powered light that achieved such results. To spend the least amount of time with your herpes sores, try one of the Luminance RED devices with its advanced red light therapy technology.

Read Also: Can You Get Tested For Herpes Simplex 1

What Causes Or Triggers A Recurrence

You may not always be able to tell when youre having a herpes outbreak. However, some common early warning signs that signal an impending attack, can include tingling, itching, and pain. This can happen 1 or 2 days before blisters start to show.

If you have HSV-2, you might have four or five outbreaks a year. How often outbreaks occur varies a lot from person to person. Outbreaks may also decrease over time.

People with HSV-1 tend to have fewer outbreaks.

In time, some people can pinpoint things that trigger an outbreak, such as:

Read Also: What Causes Genital Herpes Outbreaks

You May Like: How To Cure Oral Herpes Fast

Treatment The First Time You Have Genital Herpes

You may be prescribed:

• antiviral medicine to stop the symptoms getting worse you need to start taking this within 5 days of the symptoms appearing
• cream for the pain

If you have had symptoms for more than 5 days before you go to a sexual health clinic, you can still get tested to find out the cause.

What Are Signs Of Genital Herpes In Women

Women who have the herpes virus may have nooutbreaks or signs of infection. Many do not know theyhave the virus. Once you are infected, the virus staysin your nerve cells for life. When the virus is not active,there is no sign of infection. When the virus becomesactive, a herpes outbreak occurs. Some womenmay not have any outbreaks or may have only oneoutbreak, while others may have multiple outbreaks.

Read Also: Can You Live With Herpes

Can Herpes Cause Vulvodynia

Yet, vulvodynia is complex, and the exact cause of the pain syndrome isn’t known, and even if you have herpes, the reason for your vulvodynia may come from other sources as well. If you have HSV-2, resulting in vulvodynia, you can take antiviral medications to ease the pain and inflammation.

First, request an appointment with your doctor to determine a proper diagnosis. After that, you’ll undergo screening tests to determine the cause of vulvar pain.

Meet Nearby People With Herpes

PositiveSingles is the largest online dating and support community for people with herpes. Online since 2001, it has the largest user base among all the STD dating sites and APPs. You will find out there are plenty of people around you.

Join for free now

Thank you Positive Singles for providing me the avenue to meet my life long Soul Mate, the Love of my Life. It has been a wonderful year since we met and I am looking forward to spending the rest of my life with Lisa.

It started as a long distance relationship for 6 months but after that we moved in together. Wishing the same for everyone else searching for their mate.

Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Herpes Simplex On Lips

Read Also: Can You Sue Someone Who Gives You Herpes

Other Impacts Of Genital Herpes

Its important to also remember that there are mental and social impacts of having an incurable STI. Many people with recurrent genital herpes symptoms may feel stigmatized or fearful of pursuing sexual relationships. But people should remember, while genital herpes is not curable, it is manageable, and the outbreaks often decrease over time.

Most people live healthy happy lives with genital herpes .

to track your sex life and herpes symptoms using custom tags.

What Are The Differential Diagnoses

Other medical conditions could be confused with genital herpes or cold sores. The conditions are severe, and it is wise to consult with a medical expert. Herpes could be distinguished from these conditions with a lab test or medical exam.

• Medical reactions: Medication might lead to sensitive reactions and allergies that could appear as rashes. Although medication-induced rashes do not appear in the genital area, they are common around the patient’s mouth and lips.
• Concurrent HSV-2 or HSV-1: If the patient has either type of herpes, they could also be infected with the other. The viruses are different, and having one does not prevent or cause the other.
• Pre-cancer or Cancer: Lesions around and in your genital area could be symptoms of cancer. The appearance of precancerous or cancerous shouldn’t have blisters that come with HSV lesions. However, your doctor should be able to tell the difference.
• Syphilis: Syphilis is an STD that manifests in genital sores that could be confused with herpes. Your OBGYN should be capable of telling the difference through visual lesions inspection.
• Canker sores: Usually, canker sores are red, raw, painful, and whitish in the middle. They are due to oral trauma and can appear in the mouth. While the painful sensation of cold sores and canker sores is alike, a lesion looks different.

Also Check: Does Herpes Show Up On Std Test

How Can Genital Herpes Be Prevented

There is not yet a vaccine to protect against the herpes virus. There are a number of things to consider which may reduce your risks of getting genital herpes or of passing it on to others. These include:

• Consider the use of condoms always, even in settled relationships. This is because a person can carry the herpes virus for a very long time and pass it on without ever being aware of it. Condoms do not completely protect against herpes but they reduce the risk.
• The more sexual partners you have, the more the risk of picking up any STI, including herpes. So avoiding having too many partners will cut down your risk.
• Avoid having sex with somebody with an active genital herpes infection .
• Also avoid intimate contact with a person who has a cold sore.
• If you have an active herpes infection yourself, avoid having sex with anyone else in order to prevent passing it on.
• If one partner finds out they have herpes, it is wise to tell the other. This can reduce transmission rates.
• If a person knows they have recurrent herpes, taking a regular antiviral medicine can reduce the risk of passing on the virus.
• In particular, a pregnant woman should avoid having sex with somebody with active herpes, because of the extra risk to the baby during delivery.

Contact Dermatitis Can Be Mistaken For Herpes

Contact dermatitis is a skin condition that can cause red, itchy, cracked, dry, or scaly skin, blisters, or a rash. Like herpes, it recurs, and while it’s not an STD, when it appears in the mouth or genital area, it may be mistaken for herpes. However, unlike herpes, contact dermatitis can happen anywhere on the skin and is caused by direct contact with an irritant or something you’re allergic to, per the Mayo Clinic. It’s not caused by a virus.

Contact dermatitis usually occurs within minutes to hours after touching an irritant. Common causes include poison ivy and reactions to medication, cosmetics, detergents, and jewelry. The skin rash from contact dermatitis usually clears up in a few weeks.

The best way to prevent contact dermatitis is to identify whats causing it and avoid touching that item or substance again. Allergy testing can help identify the cause.

While contact dermatitis is generally not a serious condition, it can be itchy and uncomfortable. When the rash is present, try using cool, wet compresses or anti-itch creams to soothe it. Antihistamine pills can help reduce the itchiness. Avoid scratching the area: Doing so can make symptoms worse and open the door to a bacterial or fungal infection. If your itching is severe, you should see your primary care provider or a dermatologist for topical steroid medication.

Read Also: How Do You Get Herpes 2

Fever Blisters And Cold Sores Are Oral Herpes Too

Fever blisters and cold sores are just different names for oral herpes, and theyve been around for a very long time. Legend has it that in ancient Rome, the emperor Tiberius banned kissing at public events because of an outbreak of fever blisters. In other words, they even knew back then how contagious fever blisters are.

The best way to protect yourself is to avoid contact with a person who has a cold sore and refrain from sharing eating utensils, lip balm, and the like. Note that someone with oral herpes can give you genital herpes if they perform oral sex on you. Avoid kissing and oral sex when outbreaks are present.

There is no cure for fever blisters and no vaccine to prevent them, although research into preventing and treating them is ongoing. If you do get oral herpes, your doctor may recommend over-the-counter pain medication and topical anesthetics to relieve symptoms. Some people also choose to take antiviral medication to make cold sores go away faster.

Pink Tent By Dr Kelly Martin Schuh

• Participant

  Im a 33 year old, I was diagnosed 18-20 years ago with genital herpes. It was so long ago that I dont remember if I got a treatment for it.When I was 21 I had a D& C abortion, please no judgment or rude remarks. Sometime after that between 21 and 23 I started getting chronic pelvic ppain. I have had numerous testing done in the past 10 years. Ultrasounds, mris, laproscopy to try and find out whats been causing the pelvic pain. In 2016 I think I also started experiencing urinary problems, retention and frequency. Ive never gotten a diagnosis for my pelvic pain and I still have it almost daily. It an feel deep and go down into my leg.Does anyone know if herpes has cause long term pelvic pain, has anyone had similar experiences?

  November 16, 2021 at 3:31 pm#44765BeLoveParticipant

  I have not experienced this but some others on here, I believe had some on here might have had this issue. I wish well and all the best!!

  November 16, 2021 at 7:58 pm#44766Participant

  Thank you for your response.Im new to this page. Is there a way to search the forum? By keyword or something? To see if I can find similar posts.

  Thanks.

Read Also: Can Herpes Type 2 Be Cured

What Customers Are Saying:

I feel so much better today, and upon further investigation believe that there is a chance that the responses I got saved me from a serious, even life threatening situation. I am very grateful to the experts who answered me.

Susan O.USA

I can go as far as to say it could have resulted in saving my sons life and our entire family now knows what bipolar is and how to assist and understand my most wonderful son, brother and friend to all who loves him dearly.Thank you very much

Corrie MollPretoria, South Africa

I thank-you so much! It really helped to have this information andconfirmation. We will watch her carefully and get her in for theexamination and US right away if things do not improve. God bless you aswell!

ClaudiaAlbuquerque, NM

Outstanding response time less than 6 minutes. Answered the question professionally and with a great deal of compassion.

KevinBeaverton, OR

Suggested diagnosis was what I hoped and will take this info to my doctor’s appointment next week.I feel better already! Thank you.

ElanorTracy, CA

Thank you to the Physician who answered my question today. The answer was far more informative than what I got from the Physicians I saw in person for my problem.

JulieLockesburg, AR

You have been more help than you know. I seriously don’t know what my sisters situation would be today if you had not gone above and beyond just answering my questions.

John and StefanieTucson, AZ

What Are Vulvar Fissures

Vulvar fissures refers to recurrent splitting or tearing of the skin of the vulva. These tears are often caused by irritation or skin conditions, such as lichen sclerosus, but may also result from hormonal changes or damage during vaginal childbirth. Heres a look at what causes tearing of the vulva or vagina:

Recommended Reading: How To Keep Genital Herpes From Spreading

How Can I Best Learn To Cope With Herpes Simplex

Some people feel distressed or embarrassed about their herpes simplex infection. Its important to understand that the herpes virus is common. For most people, herpes doesnt significantly interfere with daily life.

To cope with negative feelings, you may consider:

• Connecting with others through support groups or online forums.
• Sharing your feelings with a trusted friend or loved one.
• Speaking with a therapist.

Syphilis: A Greater Health Threat Than Herpes

Syphilis and genital herpes are both STDs that can cause sores in the genital area. Like oral herpes, syphilis can also cause mouth sores, which often clear without treatment. But despite these similarities in symptoms, the two diseases differ in their causes syphilis is caused by a bacteria and herpes by a virus and the health risks they pose.

For most people the exceptions being infants and people who have weakened immune systems or who are chronically ill herpes is more of an annoyance than a dangerous disease. But untreated syphilis can lead to severe complications, including bone, joint, liver, heart, and brain damage.

There are four stages of syphilis, according to the CDC, each with different signs and symptoms. In the primary stage, a painless sore or sores develop where the bacteria first entered the skin or mucous membrane. In the secondary stage, you may develop a skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, fever, and other flu-like symptoms. In the latent stage of syphilis, there are no signs or symptoms, and in the tertiary stage, the bacterial infection can damage the heart, brain, and other organs of the body.

You May Like: What Helps Herpes Heal Faster

General Measures That May Help To Ease Symptoms When They Occur

• Painkillers such as paracetamol may help to ease pain.
• If it is painful when you pass urine, it is often less painful if you pass urine whilst sitting in a warm bath or with water flowing over the area.
• A numbing ointment that you can buy at pharmacies, called lidocaine 5% gel, may relieve itching or pain. Some people also apply ointment about five minutes before passing urine if this is painful. Note: some people are sensitive to anaesthetic ointments, and the ointment then makes skin symptoms worse. Applying Vaseline® before passing urine may be a helpful alternative to anaesthetic ointment.
• Ice wrapped in a tea towel placed over the sores for 5-10 minutes may be soothing. Do not put ice directly on to skin, as this may cause an ‘ice burn’.
• Have plenty to drink. This can help to make your urine less strong and less concentrated. This may make passing urine less painful.
• Do not use scented soaps, bubble bath, etc, as these may irritate. Gentle cleaning of the sores with just cotton wool and plain or salt water is best. Gentle drying with a hairdryer on its lowest setting may be more comfortable than with a towel.
• When you resume sexual activity after an episode has cleared, a lubricant may help, as some people find the friction of having sex may trigger a recurrence.

Other points: