How did you know you had genital herpes?

Question

I’m waiting for test results I’ve been really sad and confused. I want to hear your story. Was it blisters? A lesion? Or something else that was sure telling sign for you? Please help me and let me know. Google images is scary and looks nothing like me right now.

Answer

I know it all sounds scary, but I want to let you know a few things. Roughly 80% of sexual active people will contract at some point in their life, which means about 1 in 5 people have it. It’s spread through skin to skin contact and while condoms can mostly protect you, there’s still a chance you can get it. Most cases are harmless and most people will clear HPV from their bodies over time. Some people will have absolutely no symptoms and pass it without knowing, but some people will have warts, which can sometimes itch and have a burning sensation. I was diagnosed with HPV a few years ago. I went to my GYN because I noticed bumps around my vagina that hurt and itched and they said I had HPV and I could do treatments to get rid of the warts, however, there would be a chance of them coming back. I got the treatments, which consists of them placing a topical acid on the warts to “burn” them off. It hurt pretty bad and I honestly wish that I didn’t get it because I had another flare up a few months later. I was embarrassed and ashamed that I had HPV. I had only been with 2 people and I was careful, but there I was with an STI. I didn’t want to talk about it, but I found that talking helped me and made me realize that so many people have it too. I haven’t had a flare up in a long time, so I’m hoping that I cleared it. I hope that I helped you feel a little better. I wish I had someone tell me the things I learned after the fact. Know that you are definitely not alone and you shouldn’t be ashamed.

How did you know you had genital herpes?

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