Question:
Ok i've got a question...

I got my first and second outbreak on my outer labia so i suppose thats where i first made contact with the virus.

My question is: Since my outbreaks occur where a condom wouldn't cover (i.e. i can still make skin to skin<shedding location> contact with my male partner) then are condoms totally useless in my case?

I got H while using a condom so thats why my outbreaks are located in that area and not inside the labia/vagina.

Is there anyone male/female who has there outbreaks in an area that isnt covered by condoms? And what do you do?

Answer:
well. yes condoms are complely useless if u have a ob and the area is uncoverd.

also> it really doesnt matter if the area is covered > cause condoms DO NOT protect you from herpes.

and ur obs arent just limited to ur outer labia. ur just lucky... they can always change and appear anywhere in ur genital area.

Answer:
Well you're not going to get herpes THROUGH a condom unless it breaks. But usually it's the whole genital area that's contagious not just the part where your outbreaks occur.

Condoms work wonders against diseases transmitted by fluids, they just suck against skin-to-skin diseases like herpes.

Answer:
Yea well i know that shedding can occur at any place around the genital area but wouldn't the area where your outbreak occur be much more of a concentrated area for shedding?
I just figured that if your shedding, that area would probably be first and most concentrated area for shedding.
Well i dont know...

Anyone ever feel VERY slight tingling in the area just for no reason??(not before an outbreak)

And i still want to know if anyone gets their outbreaks on the outer labia bcuz everyone on this site seems to get it on the inside???

Also yes i know herpes can just pop up in another area but my doctor said that thats rare and it will almost always occur in the same area. Anyone ever had it popping up in a completely different area?

Answer:
This study says differently.

link: http://aids.about.com/od/hivprevention/a/condomshsv.htm

Reuters Health writer Amy Norton reports that a new study has again shown that condoms do indeed protect against genital herpes (herpes simplex or HSV-2). Granted, the infected area must be covered, but to say condoms don't work is incorrect information. You just need to make sure you're careful with how it's put on and make sure it stays on (rubber band, or ring).

Answer:
Ok i have another question.

I know that the virus is most contagious when the sore is present or when it is still healing but i've had my last outbreak about a month and a half now and its pretty much gone but i can still kinda see where is was. Does this mean that i still have a healing sore?or does it qualify as being gone?

I want to know because if its still considered 'healing' then i know that sex is totaly out but i mean its been looking like that for a while now...

Answer:
For some people the outbreaks can happen anywhere in the genital region and can happen outside of this area too. For instance on a leg, breast, back or in the back of the throat.

I have had outbreaks in several places on my genitals and in the past I had a g/f that had them in the back of her throat after oral sex.

Condoms are extremely effective if used properly and kept me from getting a STD for twelve years.

I had been with nearly 200 people (all heterosexual and SAFELY) before I met my g/f. All of which I had used a condom with. There is no way that all of them were STD free. The pecentages of people with STD's are too great to think that they were all clean.

My g/f and I both were tested clean before we stopped using a condom and switched to birth control. Only to my surprise I found out she had been raped about a year later and been givin H2 and passed it on to me.

We have long since broke up and I have had a few partners since. All who I have made aware of my issue before sex and used condoms with. None have contracted H2 either. I am also taking Valtrex.

The point is that CONDOMS DO WORK, not all the time but they are a very affective way of trying to prevent passing it on.

Answer:
Effective, yes, 100% fool proof if they are worn correctly and don't break? HELL NO! I contracted HSV while wearing a condom (correctly) and while the girl was on suppressive medication. We only had sex once, and bam I got herpes on the left upper side of my sack. Sure condoms will help out with transmission rates a lot but even if they're used properly and work properly there's still a much higher rate of contracting HSV then any diseases transmitted by fluids.

Answer:
gsciar,

I fully agree with you. I was just explaining that they were really effective for me for years and will continue to use them for the rest of my life. Condoms, even though they don't always work, are still the best way to prevent the spread of herpes. Along with being honest, antivirals and fully aware of your OB symtoms. Or you could never have sex again. No one wants to do this.