I can’t believe I am doing this but I’m honestly tired of hiding. My story on how I got genital herpes, I was 18 and graduated, had a boyfriend in the military who was finishing up school across the US. My family did not approve of him but I was head over heels. I decided to fly out to him and road trip back home with him. On this trip I lost my virginity. As one would do, before I left I made sure and asked him if he was clean, tested and all. He told me yes, nothing to worry about. A week after I finally met up with him we were back home and I was in severe pain. Not knowing what was going on I asked my step mom for help. I didn’t get the help I needed. I was ridiculed and left alone to figure it out. I was pushed away and had to find a new home. I went to planned parenthood for an emergency visit and they checked it out. “A clear case of herpes”. I got tested and was prescribed medication, but I was to late and had to grow through the excruciating pain of an outbreak. Blisters, burning pee that had me crying while biting on a towel and pinching my inner thigh. The inability to sleep comfortably or drive normally in my manual vehicle. My ex, my first love, denies having it, said I contracted it from stress. Once he left for his new home, I was hurt he left but I started digging, questioning how this happened to me. 3 girls in 6 months, including me. 6 out of a 7 month relationship, I, was being cheated on. I have been 10 months outbreak free. I’m so extremely proud of that but I have had jokes made about it, people stop talking to me after so much time. I’ve been called a slut, a hooker, and a whore. My confidence is almost non existent but I’m still fighting cause as much as I hate admitting it, I have herpes. As much as it sucks to have it has made me realize how much I need to focus on self love. I HAVE HERPES! I no longer wanted to feel ashamed of my story. It is a part of me and it’s not going anywhere.