Question:
So... I'm really not quite sure if I've got an STD or what. (21 Y/O Female here.) I really don't have too much of a sexual history. My first partner I dated for three years and we were both virgins. I'm 21 now and have since had one sexual partner I am currently with. I have had unprotected sex with him many many times over the course of six months. He states that in '05 he was tested for STD's and it came out negative, and before me has only had one sexual partner. Fair enough, but I made him get tested Friday (12-14, blood test at health department for all STD's)
My symptoms? I itch like crazy down there, but I don't know if it's a yeast infection or what because I haven't had one before. The day started with sex, we must have made love at least five times that day and it was extremely rough. I was also extremely dry most of the times, so much so I had to dig my fingers into my vagina and rub the lube around myself so he could enter. After sex I noticed a tender spot on the left side of the entrance into my vagine. A day or so later I noticed two little sores/cuts. There were no blister formations, but I've read that it varies so much. Fair enough. I haven't really noticed any more but I can't examine myself real well because I'm at work. I will tomorrow morning though after a shower. I also developed a lot of itching just all around my vagina, on the lips and around the clitoris (and possibly inside?). I must have itched so much I created little paper cuts in those areas, but not in the original infected area. Either way, my mind will not be at ease until I get tested and I plan to go to PlannedParenthood today (12-15) if they can fit me in. What tests should I ask for and what do they offer? I'm not sure if a blood test would work because it's been so recent. I think those two little sores have healed a little bit so I'm also not sure what a culture would prove. The symptoms started about four or so days ago I guess, not quite sure I haven't kept track. I did, however, notice a very foul smell prior to all of this incident, a few days before the rough sex. It wasn't fishy, but the only word I can think of is "foul" and it was accompanied by some pinkish discharge due to my period coming up the next week (I've been on Seasonique so I hadn't had my period for three months). I guess I'm just a little worried and am wondering how the testing process will proceed. It would be my luck the second person I have sex with gives me herpes, but he has a pretty clean record and so do I so I'm really trying to think what I could mistake for herpes and it's really not? I know a test is the only definitive answer which is why I will try my best to get there Saturday, if they will take me!!! Thanks for any help.

Answer:
Wow, PlannedParenthood doesn't even test for HSV-2, so that's sweet. The Health Department is also closed due to it being a Saturday. I am starting to lean towards a yeast infection for some reason, well, reasons of my own (and not out of convenience). I'm going to treat for that and since my current sexual partner is waiting for his blood results, I guess I'll know in about a week or so if I have it. Eh? I'm content with that, in all honesty...

Answer:
Well, with my experiences and learning, rough, dry sex will lead to irritation and friction. Which will lead to an infection. The tears are probably most likely from the non use of enough lube and being so rough. since you had a foul smell and I'm assuming cottage cheese like discharge it was most likely yeast.

Trust me for most of us if you would know it was herpes. Next time try some drugs from the store and see if it clears up the infection. from what I can tell ya sounds like you are okay.

Answer:
Hello all,
I appreciate your advice and insight. I would honestly be so bummed if I had herpes because this guy is only my second partner and I am only 21. Regardless, this experience has definitely put things into perspective and I am now afraid to have sex with anyone. Woot! Seriously though, I have since taken the Monistat three day treatment combined with some Vagisil and all is better now, symptoms completely gone (everything completely gone). I am still waiting on my boyfriend's blood test though. He called yesterday and they said it would be a couple of weeks. Does that sound correct?? He is in North Carolina right now on a brief vacation when he got tested up there (because I made him) but he said when he comes back to FL he'll go to the health department down here as well. Is anyone familar with what blood tests they do for herpes there? I think I'll give them a call and find out. Would it be a good idea to get a blood test for me as well? I'm thinking I should just wait until a month or two later when/if the test can detect the antibodies. I think the point of taking the first test so soon is to determine if it is a new infection with the second test (by testing negative on the first and positive on the second). I would already be well aware that this is the only person who could have given it to me. My only question is, how long should I wait to take the blood test where there would be enough antibodies?? I'm fairly positive that this was a yeast infection, but I would like to be completely sure for my future partner, etc. etc. I mean, I would only want the same in return. Appreciate any help!

Answer:
Well it's a good thing you are feeling better and back to "normal". I'd go get my blood test done if I were you and then get it done again a couple months from the last time you had sex.

Answer:
^
My point with that though, is not the first blood test done going to be pointless? I am positive I did not have herpes before this sexual partner (well, I do get cold sores), so it will be negative because if I do have it, there will not have been enough time allotted to gain enough antibodies to test positive. You with me?

Answer:
get blood test for herpes immediately....one of the number one signs of herpes, that goes undetected is a yeast infection, or yeast infection like symptoms....which women use the couple day yeast treatment, symptoms go away and the women never know they have herpes because the time frame for the yeast cream to have worked is often the same as the duration of the outbreak symptoms for many. That being said, it doesnt matter if you have only slept with 2 people and though most likely if it is herpes, it probably came from the second guy but it is a small chance it came from guy one if it is herpes....unless he never ever received oral sex. So many people dont realize how prevalent hsv1 oral infections cause genital herpes in people due to oral sex....because you dont need a coldsore to transmit it....and you dont even need symptoms present if you carry the oral virus asymptomatically....which a high number of people in the US do....having had it perhaps since childood, etc. My point is not to scare you, it is to make sure you cover all bases and not go on with a false sense of security only to infect or deal with this unintentionally later in life. Getting a blood test immediately will do two things : 1) prove you either have it or not and 2) will either be proof for you that you have been tested for herpes before and will give you good reason to believe it is a new infection if you test negative via blood and then positive at the next time you have blood tested for herpes....it will greatly narrow down the time frame. Also, keep in mind your current boyfriend could be carrying it either from sex or oral sex he received at any point in his life and just be asymptomatic. He needs a blood test, so do you and you need to see his results and make sure it tested specifically for herpes and not just other stds. I dont want to scare you in any way and there is a good possibility it is just irritated or a reaction to all the lube and from being dry, etc. but i just feel it is so important for people, especially younger people to get educated on the facts and be thorough when it comes to stds....especially this one. Good luck...hope it is not herpes and you have a wonderful holiday season.....if it is then you are not alone and we are all here on this board to help you.

If it isnt herpes, then at least maybe you can educate some of your friends or at least know the reality of herpes and how prevalent it is upon entering your next relationship...it only takes one person, one sexual act, one time to get herpes....and you can never trust or make assumptions of whether someone has herpes or not based on appearance, social class, race, even past sexual behaviors, or what people tell you because anyone can lie. I just feel the lack of education out there about this is what keeps it spreading so much...that and the fact that so many people carry and are asymptomatic for symptoms.

Answer:
Well, what you say definitely makes a lot of sense. I guess when he gets retested here in FL I will go with him to the health department and get tested as well. I'm curious though, what do I ask for and what is a common health department answer they will give me when I inquire about the specifics of their herpes test?? We have both gotten cold sores before so we will both be positive for HSV1, but what about two?? Also, when should my second test be taken (aka, how long after the first test)? Thanks!

Answer:
Also since you said you do have cold sores you will test positive for herpes. Because you will have the antibodies in your system from the cold sores. And if you went down on him and accidentally gave it to him down there by your cold sores, and him then pass to you possibly it is all the same strand so a type specific may not do much for you.