How are herpes and vulvodynia related. What are the symptoms and causes of vulvodynia. How is vulvodynia diagnosed and treated. Can vaginal dilators help with vulvodynia pain. What lifestyle changes can help manage vulvodynia symptoms.

The Link Between Herpes and Vulvodynia: Exploring the Connection

Vulvodynia and genital herpes are two distinct conditions that can cause significant discomfort in the vulvar region. While they are separate issues, there may be a connection between the two. Herpes, a lifelong viral infection, can potentially lead to the development of vulvodynia in some cases.

Genital herpes, caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-2), affects the same area as vulvodynia. During outbreaks, herpes can cause vulval pain that may manifest into vulvodynia. However, it’s important to note that vulvodynia is a complex condition, and its exact cause is often unknown. Even if you have herpes, your vulvodynia may stem from other sources as well.

Key Points on Herpes and Vulvodynia:

• Herpes can potentially develop into vulvodynia
• Vulvodynia may have multiple causes, not just herpes
• Proper diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment
• Antiviral medications can help manage herpes-related vulvodynia

Understanding Genital Herpes: Prevalence and Types

Genital herpes is a widespread condition affecting millions of people worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 3.7 billion people globally are infected with some form of herpes. This viral infection is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) and typically presents as sores in or around the genitals and mouth, along with other symptoms.

There are two main types of herpes simplex virus:

1. HSV-1: Commonly referred to as oral herpes, affecting the mouth and surrounding skin
2. HSV-2: A sexually transmitted infection known as genital herpes

Both types of herpes can be asymptomatic for extended periods. When symptoms do appear, they often manifest as painful blisters and sores around the mouth, vagina, or anus. Some individuals may never experience symptoms, while others may have recurring outbreaks that cause significant discomfort.

Is genital herpes always symptomatic?

No, genital herpes is not always symptomatic. Many people with HSV-1 or HSV-2 may be asymptomatic or experience very mild symptoms that go unnoticed. However, even without visible symptoms, the virus can still be transmitted to sexual partners.

Vulvodynia: A Complex Chronic Pain Condition

Vulvodynia is a vulvar pain syndrome that affects many women, causing discomfort ranging from mild irritation to severe, debilitating pain. Despite its prevalence, vulvodynia remains a condition that requires more research and attention from the medical community.

The National Vulvodynia Association defines vulvodynia as a chronic pain condition that can significantly impact a woman’s quality of life. The pain associated with vulvodynia can vary in intensity and duration, affecting different areas of the vulva.

Types of Vulvodynia:

• Generalized vulvodynia: Pain affects the entire vulvar region
• Localized vulvodynia: Pain is limited to specific areas of the vulva

Vulvodynia pain can be intermittent or chronic, and it may develop at any point in a woman’s life, even before her first sexual experience.

How does vulvodynia pain manifest?

Vulvodynia pain can manifest in various ways, including burning, stinging, rawness, or a feeling of pressure. The discomfort may be constant or triggered by touch, sexual activity, or other stimuli. Some women experience pain only during specific activities, while others have persistent pain throughout the day.

Vulvovaginal Disorders: Potential Causes of Vulvar Pain

While the exact cause of vulvodynia is often unknown, several vulvovaginal disorders can contribute to or mimic vulvar pain. Understanding these potential causes is crucial for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

Common Vulvovaginal Disorders:

• Infectious: Bacterial vaginosis, genital herpes, HPV, syphilis
• Inflammatory: Allergic or contact dermatitis from irritants
• Hormonal: Low estrogen leading to atrophic vulvovaginitis
• Skin conditions: Lichen planus, lichen simplex chronicus, lichen sclerosus
• Neurologic: Pudendal neuralgia, interstitial cystitis, fibromyalgia

Identifying the underlying cause of vulvar pain is essential for developing an appropriate treatment plan. In some cases, multiple factors may contribute to the discomfort, requiring a comprehensive approach to management.

Can vulvodynia be caused by multiple factors?

Yes, vulvodynia can often result from a combination of factors. It’s not uncommon for women to experience vulvar pain due to a combination of physical, hormonal, and neurological issues. This complexity is one reason why diagnosing and treating vulvodynia can be challenging, often requiring a multidisciplinary approach.

Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Vulvodynia

Diagnosing vulvodynia typically involves a thorough medical history, physical examination, and potentially additional tests to rule out other conditions. Once a diagnosis is established, treatment can be tailored to the individual’s specific symptoms and needs.

Common Treatment Approaches for Vulvodynia:

• Medications: Tricyclic antidepressants or antiviral drugs
• Elimination of irritants: Changing soaps, detergents, and hygiene products
• Clothing adjustments: Wearing 100% cotton undergarments
• Dietary changes: Restricting foods high in oxalate content
• Physical therapy: Including surface electromyographic (sEMG) biofeedback
• Vaginal dilators: To strengthen and lengthen pelvic floor muscles

It’s important to note that treatment for vulvodynia often involves a combination of approaches, and what works for one person may not be effective for another. Working closely with a healthcare provider to find the right treatment plan is crucial.

How long does it take to see improvement with vulvodynia treatment?

The timeline for improvement in vulvodynia symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. Some women may experience relief within a few weeks of starting treatment, while others may require several months of consistent therapy before noticing substantial improvements. Patience and persistence are key when managing vulvodynia, as finding the right combination of treatments often involves some trial and error.

Vaginal Dilators: A Promising Treatment for Vulvodynia

Vaginal dilators are medical devices that can be particularly helpful in managing vulvodynia, especially when weak pelvic floor muscles contribute to the pain. These devices are designed to slowly strengthen and lengthen the vulvar tissue, potentially easing pain and inflammation.

Dilators come in various sizes and can be used both internally and externally, depending on the specific needs of the patient. They are often incorporated into physical therapy regimens and can be used at home as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

Benefits of Vaginal Dilators for Vulvodynia:

• Gradual desensitization of painful areas
• Improved pelvic floor muscle strength and flexibility
• Reduced pain during sexual activity
• Increased confidence and control over symptoms

While vaginal dilators can be an effective tool in managing vulvodynia, it’s essential to use them under the guidance of a healthcare professional to ensure proper technique and avoid potential complications.

Are vaginal dilators suitable for all types of vulvodynia?

Vaginal dilators can be beneficial for many women with vulvodynia, but they may not be appropriate in all cases. They are particularly useful for women with provoked vestibulodynia or vaginismus, where pain is triggered by touch or penetration. However, for those with generalized unprovoked vulvodynia, other treatments may be more suitable. A healthcare provider can determine if vaginal dilators are appropriate based on the individual’s specific condition and symptoms.

Lifestyle Changes and Self-Care Strategies for Managing Vulvodynia

In addition to medical treatments, making certain lifestyle changes and adopting self-care strategies can significantly improve the quality of life for women with vulvodynia. These approaches can help reduce pain, prevent flare-ups, and promote overall vulvar health.

Effective Self-Care Strategies for Vulvodynia:

• Wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing
• Use unscented, hypoallergenic personal care products
• Practice good hygiene without over-cleaning
• Apply cool compresses to soothe irritated areas
• Engage in stress-reduction techniques like meditation or yoga
• Maintain open communication with sexual partners about pain and discomfort

It’s important to remember that what works for one person may not work for another. Experimenting with different strategies and paying attention to what triggers or alleviates symptoms can help in developing a personalized management plan.

Can dietary changes help manage vulvodynia symptoms?

Some women with vulvodynia find that dietary changes can help manage their symptoms. While there’s no one-size-fits-all diet for vulvodynia, some individuals report improvement after reducing their intake of foods high in oxalates, such as spinach, nuts, and chocolate. Others find relief by avoiding potential irritants like caffeine, alcohol, or spicy foods. It’s best to consult with a healthcare provider or nutritionist before making significant dietary changes, as they can help ensure that any modifications are safe and nutritionally balanced.

The Importance of Emotional Support and Mental Health in Vulvodynia Management

Living with chronic vulvar pain can take a significant toll on a woman’s emotional well-being and mental health. The persistent discomfort, coupled with the impact on intimate relationships and daily activities, can lead to feelings of frustration, anxiety, and depression. Addressing these emotional aspects is crucial for comprehensive vulvodynia management.

Strategies for Emotional Support and Mental Health:

• Seek counseling or therapy to cope with chronic pain
• Join support groups to connect with others experiencing similar challenges
• Practice mindfulness and relaxation techniques
• Communicate openly with partners about the condition
• Explore alternative pain management techniques like acupuncture or biofeedback

Remember that seeking help for the emotional impact of vulvodynia is not a sign of weakness, but rather a proactive step towards overall health and well-being.

How can partners support women with vulvodynia?

Partners can play a crucial role in supporting women with vulvodynia. Open communication is key – partners should listen without judgment and express empathy and understanding. They can also participate in education about the condition to better understand its impact. Exploring alternative forms of intimacy that don’t cause pain can help maintain closeness in the relationship. Additionally, partners can offer practical support by helping with tasks that may exacerbate symptoms and accompanying their loved one to medical appointments.

Can Herpes Really Cause Vulvodynia? – Vuvatech

December 21, 2020
| Tara Langdale

If you’re struggling with chronic vulvar pain, you want answers. Unfortunately, most vulvar pain may not have a reason and is put into the general category of vulvodynia. However, other conditions like chronic yeast infections and vaginal infections may cause inflamed vulvar skin. One of these may be genital herpes.

The question then becomes whether herpes can cause vulvodynia. If so, then treating genital herpes will reduce chronic pain. In this article, we’ll explore whether herpes can really cause vulvodynia. 

Can Herpes Cause Vulvodynia?

Since herpes affects the same area of the vagina as vulvodynia, it’s natural to consider this connection. Herpes is a lifelong condition with no cure and during outbreaks causes vulval pain that manifests into vulvodynia. In essence, herpes can develop into 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.

Women with Genital Herpes

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), globally, 3.7 billion people are infected with one form of herpes.  Herpes comes from the herpes simplex virus (HSV) and presents as sores in or around the genitals and mouth and other symptoms.

HSV, like vulvodynia, has two kinds.

• HSV-1: It’s referred to as oral herpes and affects the mouth and connecting skin.
• HSV-2: It’s a sexually transmitted disease and commonly known as genital herpes.  

Oral herpes and genital herpes may be asymptomatic for the most part. When the skin conditions do present, painful blisters and sores around the mouth, vagina, or anus erupt. Some people never have symptoms, and others have ongoing breakouts that cause pain.

Women with Vulvodynia

As a condition in women’s health, it needs more research and attention from the medical community.  According to the National Vulvodynia Association, vulvodynia is a vulvar pain syndrome that ranges from manageable discomfort to searing pain that makes life unbearable.

Vulvodynia is divided into two categories.

• Generalized vulvodynia: The pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms affect the entire region of the vulva (clitoris, labia minora, labia majora, vagina entrance).
• Localized vulvodynia: The pain affects the vulvar skin in certain places only and may be triggered by touch or during sexual intercourse. It may also be vulvar vestibulitis syndrome, which is provoked by contact.

Vulvodynia pain can be intermittent or chronic. It may present before a woman’s first sexual experience or develop at any time in her life.

Vulvovaginal Disorders

For the most part, when diagnosed with vulvodynia, the cause of the pain is unknown. However, vulvodynia patients may have one of the following vulvovaginal disorders.

• Infectious: This includes bacterial vaginosis, genital herpes, HPV, and syphilis.
• Inflammatory: It may come from allergic or contact dermatitis from detergents, soups, or excessive hygiene rituals. 
• Hormonal: This is when you have low estrogen, which causes atrophic vulvovaginitis or extreme dryness and thinning vaginal skin. 
• Skin conditions: Presents as lesions on the skin and may be from lichen planus, lichen simplex chronicus, or lichen sclerosus.
• Neurologic: The pain may come from pudendal neuralgia. The condition is nerve damage to the essential pudendal nerve in the pelvic region. Other associated conditions include interstitial cystitis, irritable bowel syndrome, and fibromyalgia.

Vulvodynia Treatment

If possible, determine the cause of chronic vulvar pain before treatment. If it is genital herpes or another condition, your treatment plan may include one or more of the following.

• Certain medications (tricyclic antidepressants or antiviral drugs)
• Elimination of potential irritants (soaps and detergents)
• Wear 100% cotton undergarments
• Restricting foods with high oxalate content
• Surface electromyographic (sEMG) biofeedback
• Physical therapy using vaginal dilators

Vaginal Dilators

Chronic pelvic pain may come from weak pelvic floor muscles. The vulvar tissue may need to be slowly strengthened and lengthened to ease pain and inflammation. One trusted method is physical therapy using vaginal dilators.

Vaginal dilators are medical devices inserted into the pelvic floor or used outside of the vulva in the area affected by vulvodynia and genital herpes. Herpes doesn’t usually leave scars but can if the sores break and open, leaving the skin tarnished.

As they heal, scars may form, resulting in painful tissue, scabs, and chronic pelvic pain. Using vaginal dilators to break up scar tissue when not symptomatic may alleviate the pain. You mustn’t scratch or clean or rub the herpes blisters aggressively when present.

Women with vulvar pain for vulvodynia and herpes experience shame, pain, and long term emotional effects. If herpes causes vulvodynia, you don’t have to live forever in misery. There are solutions that work. Try vaginal dilators and begin to see the possibilities.

Do you need to order vaginal dilators so you can start your pelvic floor therapy process? Made in the USA. Visit www.vuvatech.com 

VuVa Helpful Links:

How do Neodymium Vaginal Dilators work? 

7 Reasons for a Tight Vagina and How to Loosen 

How to use Vaginal Dilators 

How to Relax Vaginal Muscles, Vaginismus & Sex 

Vaginal Stretching – Keeping in Shape with Dilators 

Do Dilators Really Work? Yes, and They can Improve Your Sex Life!

Shop for VuVa Vaginal Dilators

Tara Langdale Schmidt is the inventor of the VuVa Dilator Company. She has pelvic floor dysfunction herself and wanted to create a dilator set that is made in America that women can trust. VuVatech has been in business since 2014 and has helped over 50,000 women all over the globe. She patented the Neodymium Vaginal Dilator, that is clinically proven to help with blood flow and nerve pain.

Podcast Episode 22: Tara Langdale-Schmidt

What’s on Your Vagenda? Click here

Vulvar ulcers

Vulvar ulcers are rare in girls and young women. Most vulvar ulcers in young girls are not sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Patients can be seen by Texas Children’s experts in Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology.

Causes & Risk Factors

Possible causes include:

• Canker sores
• Infections
• Autoimmune disorders – such as Crohn’s disease, LUPUS, or Behçet’s disease
• Reactions to certain medications
• Skin conditions, allergies or irritants – such as lichen sclerosis, contact dermatitis or hair removal irritants

Symptoms & Types

Symptoms may include:

• Groups of blisters or red spots on the genitals or buttocks
• A single deep painful ulcer
• Sores that bleed easily on contact
• Flu-like symptoms, including fever, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing or fatigue
• Rash on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet

Diagnosis & Tests

Diagnosis starts with a thorough medical history and physical exam, including the genital area.

Additional testing may include:

• A pelvic exam and Pap smear 
• Blood test
• Testing for strep and other infections –  including sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• A biopsy – a sample is taken from an ulcer and examined under a microscope
• Urinalysis and pregnancy test (in cases of sexually active young women)

Treatment & Care

Treatment depends on the individual patient and her symptoms. Treatment is typically aimed at providing pain relief and preventing scarring.

Treatment strategies include:

• Warm baths
• Topical ointments and steroid creams
• Over-the-counter pain relievers
• Antibiotics or other medications
• Avoiding irritants to the area

When it might not be an STI

Before you start to worry that you might have an STI, first check if your symptoms could be caused by one of these six common conditions.

You should still see a nurse or doctor, but this could give you some peace of mind in the meantime.

Thrush

Thrush is a yeast infection that can affect anyone. Although it can sometimes happen after having sex, thrush can also affect people who are not having sex.

If you have a vagina, you’ll probably have an itchy vagina or vulva, and might have a thick, whitish discharge. If you have a penis you might notice a rash, itchiness, and discharge under the foreskin.

Thrush can be easily treated, either by seeing a nurse or doctor, or going to a pharmacy. You’ll be given a pill or some cream, or you might be given a tablet to put in your vagina.

UTI

A urinary tract infection (UTI) happens when bacteria gets into your urethra (where wee comes out). You’ll find it hurts when you wee, you might need to wee more often and it might be a different colour, or you might have pain in your tummy.

Anyone can get a UTI, but people with a vagina are more at risk of developing a UTI after sex because of the way the body is set up. That’s why we say it’s a good idea to wee right after having sex, as this helps flush out any bacteria you might have been exposed to.

Antibiotics can clear up most UTIs within a few days, so make an appointment to see a nurse or doctor at Family Planning as soon as you can. It’s important that you get treated, because if you ignore it, it could lead to more serious problems with your kidneys.

Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis, or BV, is when there is an imbalance of bacteria in your vagina. All vaginas have bacteria in them – it’s a normal part of having a healthy vagina. But when there is too much or a certain type of bacteria, you can begin to notice symptoms such as a greyish-white, smelly vaginal discharge.

You are more at risk of getting BV if you have sex with a new partner, or start having sex more often, although people can still get BV if they’ve never had sex.

BV can be treated quite easily by taking some pills, so if you’re at all worried about what’s going on, make an appointment to see a nurse or doctor.

Razor Burn

Have you got bumps around your genitals? If you’re assuming you’ve got genital herpes, consider first whether it’s because you’ve shaved or waxed in that area – you might be suffering from a bad case of razor burn. The symptoms of razor burn and genital herpes can seem quite similar, especially if you’re doing a quick Google search.

Razor burn (or folliculitis) is the infection of the hair follicles (where your hair grows from) and is often caused by shaving or waxing. It shows up as red bumps or pus-filled blisters and they can be itchy.

Genital herpes is an STI which causes painful blisters or sores which can become crusty, and you might also notice pain when you wee. 

Either way, making an appointment to see a nurse or doctor is the best thing you can do. Whether it’s a bad case of razor burn or genital herpes, you’ll be able to get treatment and ease your symptoms.

Dermatitis

Itchy genitals can sometimes be a simple case of dermatitis, a common skin irritation. Redness, pain or itchiness can be caused by an irritation to products like soaps, bubble baths, laundry powders, pads or liners, “feminine washes”, new underwear, or latex condoms.

If you’re not sure, it pays to check with a nurse or doctor – if it is an STI you can get treated, and if it’s dermatitis, they’ll be able to help you identify what’s causing the itchiness, and possibly give you some cream to help it.

Like we said before, all vaginas have bacteria in them and are self-cleaning. Feminine washes are not a good idea, and not a good way to spend your money.

Epidermoid Cysts

Epidermoid cysts are small lumps that can appear on your vagina, vulva, clitoris, or penis or scrotum. They’re non-cancerous and are normally quite small and grow slowly. Epidermoid cysts won’t usually hurt, unless they become infected. That’s when you might start to worry you have an STI, because they can become red, sore and ooze. Cysts usually go away on their own, but if they become infected or uncomfortable or you just want to be sure, get it looked at by a doctor.

If you’ve had unprotected sex (sex without a condom), always get checked to make sure you don’t have an STI. Whether it turns out to be one of these six conditions or an STI, you can usually be treated quickly and easily.

Vaginal Itching: Causes, Diagnoses & Concerns

On This Page: Causes |STDs | Irritants | Diagnosis | Prevention

What is Vaginal Itching?

Most people with vaginas experience vaginal itching at some point. If you have one or both of these symptoms, it’s possible that you may have a sexually transmitted disease (STD). It could also be something else, as various factors and conditions can cause these symptoms. Getting tested and talking to your doctor can help you know for sure what’s going on and how to treat it.

Itching in the vaginal area can be mild to severe. This sensation may be accompanied by other symptoms like vaginal burning or unusual discharge. Itching can be constant, or certain activities like peeing and sex can make it worse. This discomfort (and sometimes pain) can happen anywhere in the genital area, including your:

• Vaginal opening
• Labia
• Clitoris

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What Causes Vaginal Itching?

Vaginal itching can be caused by various factors, including:

• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Irritants like scented products, tight fabrics, and douching
• Bacterial vaginosis
• Yeast infection
• Menopause

Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)

Sexually transmitted diseases are spread during oral, vaginal, and anal sex. Stinging while peeing can happen when urine flows over vaginal lesions or inflamed areas, such as the vulva or labia.

STDs that can cause vaginal itching include:

• Chlamydia and Gonorrhea – These bacterial STDs affect mucous membranes, including the genitals. If left untreated, both chlamydia and gonorrhea can spread through the reproductive organs and cause inflammation and infertility. Often, people get chlamydia and gonorrhea together in what is called a co-infection.

• Genital Herpes – This viral infection is caused by herpes simplex virus 1 or herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2). During outbreaks, clusters of small, painful lesions appear and eventually rupture and ooze. There may be itching and irritation during the healing process, when urine or clothing comes into contact with lesions, during sex, or when a tampon is inserted.

• Trichomoniasis – Both males and females can get this STD from a protozoan parasite called Trichomonas vaginalis. Trich causes inflammation, which may result in a burning/itching sensation. ¹

• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) – This viral infection causes white or skin-colored warts on the vulva, vagina, cervix, or anus.²

Getting tested is the only way to know if you have an STD and detect which one(s) you have.

Treatment for STDs

Treatment depends on the STD. Some STDs, like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trich, are curable through prescription antibiotics. Others, like herpes, aren’t, although there is medication to help manage symptoms and reduce the risk of spreading herpes to partners. If you test positive, we can help. Our doctors offer consultation and treatment options so you can get the support and prescription you need before you resume sexual activity.

Irritants That Cause Itching

Some everyday products like soaps, fabrics, and perfumes may irritate the sensitive skin of the vagina and vulva, causing stinging, tingling, rawness, and/or soreness. Allergic reactions to certain chemicals can trigger an itchy rash. This may appear immediately after using the product or after repeated use.  Repeated friction from wearing tight clothing, like non-breathable underwear, also irritates the skin. This can also cause an itching sensation.

Other things that can irritate your vagina include:

• Feminine sprays, vaginal soaps, or bubble baths
• Detergent or fabric softeners
• Tight underwear, pantyhose, or clothing
• Menstrual pads or tampons
• Contraception, lubricant, or condoms
• Douching

Treatment for Irritants

Stopping and avoiding the use of the product should solve the irritation. In the meantime, resist the urge to scratch so you can give your skin the chance to heal. Avoid using scented products on your genitals, as fragrance can also cause irritation. If needed, a doctor may prescribe ointment to help soothe the area.³

Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

Bacterial vaginosis is a condition that occurs when there is an imbalance of a certain type of bacteria in the vagina. According to the CDC, bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal infection in women ages 15-44.⁴

Although researchers do not completely understand the cause of BV, having a new sex partner or multiple sex partners can increase the risk of getting BV. Having BV can make you more likely to get an STD if you are exposed to one.

Many women with BV don’t have symptoms, but BV can cause pain, itching, or burning in or around the outside of the vagina. BV can also cause:

• Thin white or gray vaginal discharge
• A strong fishy odor, especially after sex
• Burning when peeing

Treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis can be treated with prescription antibiotics. To clear up your BV, your doctor may recommend a gel, cream, or oral pill. Persistent or recurrent BV is common, so you should return for evaluation if symptoms happen again.⁵

Yeast Infection

Yeast infections (also called candidiasis or thrush) are common, and most women experience them at least once in their lifetime. Yeast is a fungus that is naturally present in the vagina. Good bacteria generally keep yeast in check, but factors like antibiotics, hormone changes, a weakened immune system, and diabetes can cause yeast overgrowth.⁶

Vaginal yeast infections can be irritating and uncomfortable. Symptoms of a yeast infection can be similar to other infections, but can also cause:

• Lumpy, curd-like discharge
• Swelling of the labia (lips of the vagina)

Treatments for Yeast Infections

Yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter antifungal medication. There are many forms, including creams, ointments, tablets, and vaginally inserted suppositories. A doctor can also prescribe an oral pill. If your infection doesn’t go away or if you get more than four yeast infections per year, you may require ongoing medication for up to six months.⁷

Menopause

Menopause is a natural period of a woman’s life when she stops having her period (in the U. S., the average age for menopause is 52). As the body transitions to menopause, hormones change. The decrease of estrogen during menopause can cause vaginal atrophy, or thinning of the vaginal walls. Shortening and tightening of the vaginal canal can cause irritation, and decreased lubrication can cause discomfort during sex.⁸

Other symptoms of menopause include:

• Changes in your period
• Hot flashes
• Frequent urge to pee or incontinence
• Changes in mood and sex drive

Treatment for Menopause

Menopause is a normal part of life, but you can take steps to make the transition as comfortable as possible. Talk to your doctor for treatments to help relieve menopause symptoms. They may prescribe estrogen supplements or other hormone therapies such as creams, tablets, or vaginal inserts.

Should You Be Concerned?

There are many possible causes for vaginal itching, including but not limited to the ones mentioned above. If your vaginal itching persists or gets worse, the best way to find the root of your problem is to get tested and speak to your health care provider.

Vaginal health is an important and normal part of your wellbeing, so don’t be embarrassed. Healthcare services like ours, are here to help.

Diagnosis

There are a few different things a doctor does to identify what’s causing vaginal irritation.

A doctor may ask you several questions, including:

• When did you first start experiencing symptoms?
• Are there any other symptoms you have had such as vaginal discharge or vaginal odor?
• Are you sexually active?
• Do you have more than one sexual partner?

A doctor may also do a pelvic exam, inspecting your vulva and inserting a speculum inside your vagina. Certain STDs tests, like ours, can be done via blood or urine samples, which means you don’t need to undergo a physical inspection. Through STDcheck, you can directly order STD testing online and visit the lab with no appointment necessary.

Prevention

Here are a few ways you can avoid vaginal irritation and infections which can cause itching:

• Shower regularly and use gentle, unscented soap
• Avoid scented products, feminine sprays, bubble baths, and douches
• Wear breathable cotton underwear and change it every day
• Use lubricants during sex to help with vaginal dryness and friction
• Use condoms and dental dams every time you have sex for STD prevention

Medically Reviewed by

J. Frank Martin JR., MD

on
February 5, 2020

Written by

Taysha

on January 21, 2020

Ulcer On Clitoris Hood – Canker Sore Like Ulcer On One Side Of

Canker sore like ulcer on one side of clitoris hood…A little bit sore to touch… But no pain on its own… Kindly tell what to do…any ointment or medicine… Picture attached for reference. .. It’s on the right side of the clitoris hood a little swelling and sore… Thank you.

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Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Disclaimer : The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding your medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.

Herpes info for women who have sex with women

Dear Lesbian and Reader 2,

It’s great that you both reached out to learn about how to minimize the risk of herpes transmission. Although neither of you mention which strain you’re discussing, most folks are referring to herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 when talking about sexual activity and risk. No matter your partner’s sex assigned at birth, herpes prevention requires effective communication between partners and the use of barrier contraceptive methods. One of the most critical steps you can take to protect your partners from contracting herpes is to tell them that you have the virus. By being open and honest, you can communicate about what risks you are and aren’t willing to take together. This conversation may also help them better understand herpes — both from the perspective of protecting themselves, as well as discovering what your experiences with the virus have been. Not only will this help you reduce the risk of transmission to your partner, it may also help you develop a stronger and more open relationship.

Strategies for preventing herpes transmission really boil down to preventing contact with infected areas of skin; this holds true for any intimate partners, regardless of gender or sex assigned at birth. The herpes virus is spread via direct skin-to-skin contact both when the virus is active (sores are present) and possibly when an infected person has no visible sores (a process known as viral shedding). Depending on the type of herpes and the type of sex, the risk of transmission may vary. Prior to an outbreak of herpes, most people notice an itching or tingling sensation. This serves as a warning that an outbreak is imminent and for you and your partner to avoid touching the area where sores normally appear. Unfortunately, many viruses can spread even when you don’t have sores or other symptoms. For this reason, many partners practice safer sex every time they’re intimate (think barriers that cover the skin where sores normally occur).

For women who sleep with women (and everyone else), the first step in reducing risk of transmission is to avoid contact with infected areas of skin, whether on the mouth, vulva, thighs, butt, or elsewhere, when sores are present. Sores contain high quantities of the virus and increase the chance of transmission. People who have herpes can talk with a health care provider about medications that can help control outbreaks. These viral suppressive medications are believed to help reduce the severity and frequency of outbreaks.

To reduce the risk of transmitting the virus, it’s wise to cover the area where sores typically appear. You can use a dental dam (or non-lubricated condom that you cut down the middle and spread open) to cover the vagina, clitoris, anus, or other area. If penetration is occurring (with fingers, sex toys, etc.), you can cover the object with a condom, medical glove, or other barrier that fits the object. For those who are unable to or dislike latex, many of these items are also available latex-free. In a pinch, non-microwavable plastic wrap can also serve as a barrier. It’s also good for you to keep track of where most of your herpes episodes occur. On your mouth in the form of cold sores? On your inner thighs? On some part of your genitals? Covering the most frequently affected parts of your body may help prevent spreading the herpes virus. You may also want to check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Genital Herpes website for more information.

You and your partner may decide to use barriers, avoid intimate contact when you believe the herpes virus is present on the surface of your skin, take viral suppressive medication, or a combination of these approaches. Whatever the decision, it’s good to make it together, recognizing the risks involved and sharing the pleasures.

Herpes

90,000 modern aspects of etiology, pathogenesis and clinic “Medvestnik

Etiology. Pathogenesis

There are two main antigenic groups of HSV: type I and II. At the same time, strains belonging to the same antigenic type may differ in immunogenicity, virulence, resistance to the effects of various chemical and physical factors, which ultimately determines the characteristics of the clinical manifestations of the disease. HSV-I strains are more often isolated when the skin of the face, upper extremities is affected, HSV-II strains – with genital localization of foci, although there is no direct connection between antigenic specificity and the localization of clinical manifestations of herpes.

The source of HSV infection is a sick person or a virus carrier. The virus is transmitted by airborne droplets, contact, transfusion and organ transplantation. During pregnancy, fetal infection can occur through the transplacental and transcervical (ascending) pathways.

It has been established that in 40% of cases, primary HSV infection occurs by airborne droplets in early childhood, while the source of infection is usually family members with active signs of GI.

The main links in the pathogenesis of GI are:

1. Infection of the sensory ganglia of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and lifelong persistence of HSV in them.

2. Damage to immunocompetent cells leading to secondary immunodeficiency.

3. HSV tropism to epithelial and nerve cells, causing polymorphism of clinical manifestations of GI.

The virus begins to multiply at the site of inoculation – the entrance gate of infection (skin, red border of the lips, mucous membranes of the oral cavity, genitals, conjunctiva), where typical blister eruptions appear, and penetrates the bloodstream and lymphatic system. In the early stages of GI, viral particles are also introduced into the nerve endings of the skin or mucous membrane, move centripetally along the axoplasm, reach the peripheral, then segmental and regional sensitive ganglia of the central nervous system (CNS), where they remain latent for life in nerve cells.

Infection of sensory ganglia is one of the important stages in the pathogenesis of GI. With herpes of the face, these are sensitive ganglia of the trigeminal nerve, with HH – ganglia of the lumbosacral spine, which serve as a reservoir of the virus for its sexual transmission.The spread of HSV in a centrifugal direction during relapse determines the anatomical fixation of lesions in relapses of herpes simplex.

Recurrent infection occurs in 30-50% of the population infected with HSV. Recurrent herpes (RH) affects representatives of all age groups.

The progressive course of HSV infection is the appearance of more severe clinical symptoms with an increase in the duration of the disease, as well as the involvement of organs and systems in the infectious process.

Exacerbations of GI can be triggered by hypothermia, sun exposure, physical or mental trauma, alcohol intake, hormonal cycles.

The frequency and intensity of exacerbations in RH vary widely and depend on the virulence and pathogenicity of the pathogen, as well as the resistance of the human body. The disease often occurs as a local process, the rash is usually limited.

Herpes simplex can occur in local and widespread forms; the latter is less common and is characterized by the simultaneous appearance of several lesions in distant areas of the mucous membrane or by the involvement of tissues adjacent to the lesion in the pathological process.

The appearance of symptoms of intoxication caused by viremia (general weakness, malaise, subfebrile body temperature, an increase and soreness of peripheral lymph nodes) in patients during relapses, along with herpetic eruptions, indicate the dissemination of the infectious process, the inability of the immune system to localize the process.

Recurrent forms of herpes have a negative effect on the patient’s immune system. HSV, which develops in immunocompetent blood cells, leads to secondary immunodeficiency, which is clinically manifested in frequent colds, decreased performance, the appearance of low-grade body temperature, lymphadenopathy, psychoasthenia.Recurrent genital herpes (RHH), disrupting the normal sex life of patients, is often the cause of neuropsychiatric disorders, leading to family troubles.

Viremia in women during pregnancy can cause fetal death, stillbirth: herpes viruses cause up to 30% of spontaneous abortions in early pregnancy and over 50% of late miscarriages, ranked second after rubella virus in teratogenicity.

To date, evidence has been obtained that HSV is often an etiological factor in inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system (meningoecephalitis, ganglioneuritis), ear, throat and nose, lungs (chronic bronchitis), cardiovascular system (peri- and myocarditis, possibly, ischemic heart disease ), gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary system. Lesions of the skin and mucous membranes are the most common clinical manifestation of GI, and HSV genital lesions are one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases.

Clinic of genital herpes (HH)

According to the existing international classification, primary and recurrent HH are distinguished; the latter, in turn, is subdivided into typical and atypical clinical forms and asymptomatic viral shedding.

The term “genital herpes” suggests the presence of a lesion on the skin and mucous membranes of the external genital organs.With the development of virological research methods, information about asymptomatic and atypical forms of the disease began to appear. The diagnosis of “asymptomatic form of HH” is made on the basis of the results of virological examination when HSV is isolated from the detachable urogenital tract, while there are no symptoms of damage to the skin and visible mucous membranes of the genitals.

The diagnosis “atypical form of HH” is made by gynecologists to indicate a chronic inflammatory process of the internal genitals (colpitis, vulvovaginitis, endocervicitis, etc. ).in the presence of a laboratory confirmed herpetic nature of the disease, in contrast to the “typical” picture of the disease, in which there are lesions with vesicular-erosive elements on the mucous membrane of these organs. At the same time, herpetic lesions of the urethra, anal region and rectal ampulla fall out of this group, although these organs are anatomically and functionally closely related to the genital area.

Infection of the genitals in adults usually occurs through sexual intercourse.The highest incidence of HH was registered in the age group 20-29 years old. People who have sex at an early age and have many sexual partners are at increased risk of developing HH.

Clinical manifestations of HH are more pronounced in seronegative individuals than in seropositive individuals, which indicates the influence of the immune response formed on HSV-I GI in childhood on the severity of clinical manifestations of herpes during infection of the genitals with HSV-II.

In most cases, the primary infection of the genitals is asymptomatic, subsequently turning into a latent carrier of the herpes virus or a recurrent form of HH.However, in cases of clinically pronounced onset, primary HH usually appears after a 1-10-day incubation period and differs from subsequent relapses in a more severe and prolonged course.

A typical clinical picture of primary HH is characterized by the appearance on the mucous membranes of the genital organs and adjacent areas of the skin of grouped vesicular elements arising on an erythematous background. After 2-4 days, the vesicles are opened, forming weeping erosion, less often – ulcers, epithelialized under the crust or without its formation.Subjectively, patients are concerned about itching, burning, soreness in the area of ​​the lesion. Some have an increase in body temperature up to 38 ° C, painful enlargement of the inguinal lymph nodes. The duration of the acute period with primary HH can reach 3-5 weeks.

RGH is one of the most common infectious diseases of the genitourinary system. The disease is difficult to treat, is characterized by a chronic course, impaired sexual function of the patient, which often leads to the development of neurasthenia.In women, herpetic eruptions can appear on the labia majora and small labia, the mucous membrane of the vagina, cervix, in the perineum and anal region, and the skin of the buttocks and thighs is often affected. The disease is accompanied by the appearance and development of symptoms of intoxication (low-grade fever, general weakness and malaise), an increase and soreness of the inguinal lymph nodes (usually on one side).

Early opening of vesicles with the formation of erosive surfaces, pronounced subjective symptoms (pain, itching, burning in the focus) is characteristic of RHG.RHG is characterized by a severe course; often recurrent forms of the disease occur in 50-75% of patients.

A typical form of RH of the external genitals is characterized by pronounced symptoms of the disease, the classic development of the lesion focus (erythema, formation of vesicles, the development of erosive and ulcerative elements, epithelialization) and subjective sensations, manifested by repeated vesicular rashes. The lesions are usually limited, less common and localized in the same area of ​​the skin or mucous membrane.Frequent exacerbations of RHH are often accompanied by a violation of the general condition of patients. For 12-48 hours local and general prodromal phenomena may appear: itching, burning sensation, soreness in the places of future rashes, regional lymphadenitis, symptoms of intoxication caused by viremia.

The presence of vesicular or erosive rashes on the skin and mucous membranes of the genitals, pronounced subjective symptoms (itching, burning) allow doctors to visually diagnose RHH, prescribe treatment in a timely manner and inform the patient about the infectious nature of the disease and the danger of infection of the sexual partner.

It should be noted that under the influence of the therapy, a typically flowing RHH can significantly change and acquire an abortive course. In this case, the elements in the lesion bypass separate stages of development. In these cases, the lesion focus can be represented by a papular element, microerosis, edematous spot on an erythematous background. Help in making a diagnosis when treating a patient with an abortive RHH can be provided by a correctly collected anamnesis, which indicates the presence of rashes typical for herpes in the patient in the past.

Atypical forms of RHH, which greatly complicate the diagnosis, are due to a number of factors:

1) changes in the development cycle of herpetic elements in the lesion focus;

2) unusual localization of the focus and anatomical features of the underlying tissues;

3) the predominance of subjective sensations in the focus

In atypical forms of RHH, any one of the stages of development of the inflammatory process in the focus (erythema, blistering), or one of the components of inflammation (edema, hemorrhage, necrosis), or subjective symptoms prevails (itching), which give the appropriate name to the atypical form of RHH (erythematous, bullous, hemorrhagic, necrotic, itching).According to the intensity of clinical manifestations, atypical forms can proceed violently as manifest (bullous, ulcerative-necrotic) or as subclinical (microcracks). And if in atypical forms of RHH, manifested by the formation of vesicles and erosions, into which bubbles and ulcers can be transformed with the addition of, for example, a necrotic component, one can suspect HH, then in clinical forms that are not accompanied by a violation of the skin and mucous membrane or the lesion has an unusual form, the diagnosis is made with great difficulty.

Atypical forms of herpes of the external genitalia are more common in women than in men.

In the edematous form of RHG, the lesion focus on the mucous membrane of the vulva is represented by hyperemia and diffuse edema.

The “itchy” form of RHH is characterized by a periodic local appearance of pronounced itching and (or) burning in the area of ​​the external genitals with slight hyperemia of the vulvar mucosa in the focus.

HSV infection also belongs to the atypical forms of RHH, manifested by single deep recurrent fissures of the mucous membrane and underlying tissues of the labia minora and labia majora, accompanied by sharp soreness.

The subclinical (oligosymptomatic) form of RHH is manifested by microsymptomatics: a short-term (less than a day) appearance of one or more microcracks, accompanied by slight itching. Sometimes there are no subjective sensations, which reduces the appeal of patients to medical institutions and complicates the diagnosis. The subclinical form is usually detected by virological examination of the sexual partners of patients with any sexually transmitted disease, or by examination of married couples with impaired fertility.

Clinical diagnosis in abortive course, atypical and subclinical forms of RHH is difficult and can only be made using virological research methods.

In the epidemiological aspect, it is these clinical forms of genital herpes that are most dangerous for the spread of GI, when, against the background of minimal clinical manifestations of the disease, HSV is released into the environment, and the absence of pronounced symptoms allows patients to have an active sex life and infect sexual partners.

A feature of the female genital GG is multifocal. The pathological process often involves the lower part of the urethra, the mucous membrane of the anus and rectum. The involvement of these organs in the infectious process can occur a second time after the onset of herpes of the external genitals, or it can proceed as an isolated lesion.

Herpetic infection of the pelvic organs.

According to the peculiarities of clinical manifestations, herpetic lesions of the pelvic organs should be divided into:

1) herpes of the lower part of the urogenital tract, anal region and rectal ampulla;

2) herpes of the upper genital tract.

Herpes of the anal region and ampulla of the rectum, the lower part of the urogenital tract (damage to the mucous membranes of the entrance to the vagina, vagina, vaginal part of the cervix, cervical canal, urethra, bladder) manifests itself in two clinical forms: focal, characterized by the appearance of typical for simple herpes of the mucous membranes of vesicular-erosive elements, and diffuse, in which the pathological process proceeds according to the type of nonspecific inflammation.

Herpes of the urethra and bladder. Herpetic urethritis is subjectively manifested by pain and cuts at the beginning of urination, dysuric phenomena. On examination, there is hyperemia of the external opening of the urethra, the presence of scanty mucous secretions; with ureteroscopy in the anterior part of the urethra, it is sometimes possible to detect small superficial erosions, catarrhal inflammation. The leading symptoms of herpetic cystitis are cystalgia, the appearance of pain at the end of urination, and dysuric phenomena.

Herpes of the anal region and rectum. The lesion in the anal region is usually a recurrent fissure, which is often the reason for diagnostic errors. Such patients with an erroneous diagnosis of “anal fissure” go to surgeons. Itchy form of herpes of the anus and herpetic lesions of hemorrhoids are also difficult to diagnose.

Lesion of the anal region can occur primarily as an independent disease or secondarily as a result of leakage of the vaginal discharge and maceration of the mucous membrane of the anus if the patient has herpetic colpitis, accompanied by abundant exudation.

In case of damage to the sphincter and mucous membrane of the rectal ampulla (herpetic proctitis), patients are disturbed by itching, burning sensation and soreness in the lesion, small erosions occur in the form of superficial cracks with a fixed localization, bleeding during bowel movements. With rectoscopy, catarrhal inflammation, sometimes erosion, is determined.

It can be especially difficult to diagnose herpetic proctitis. We observed patients with RH of the anal region, in whom the onset of the disease was associated with the periodic appearance of scanty mucous, sometimes bloody discharge from the rectum, which coincided in time with sharp bursting pains in the sigma region and flatulence, accompanied by severe itching in the anal region.Subsequently, these patients began to develop bleeding fissures in the anal area. Based on the data of retro- and colonoscopy (in some cases with biopsy) and the results of virological examination, these patients were diagnosed with herpetic proctitis, RG of the anal region.

Herpes of the upper genital tract (damage to the uterus, fallopian tubes). A typical clinical picture of herpetic lesions of the organs of the upper urogenital tract is manifested by symptoms of nonspecific inflammation.Usually, patients complain of vaginal discharge, recurrent pain in the small pelvis, the area of ​​the projection of the uterus, ovaries. These patients are treated for a long time without effect by gynecologists with antibacterial and antifungal drugs. At the same time, a significant number of women who have no discharge and subjective symptoms do not go to the doctor at all and for a long time remain a source of infection.

Such diagnoses as “HSV-endometritis”, “HSV-salpingo-oophoritis” are practically not made by doctors.At the same time, the ascending forms of herpetic lesions of the internal genital organs in women are confirmed by the detection of HSV in the endometrium, fallopian tubes and sacro-uterine ligaments. It is very difficult to establish the real frequency of damage to the internal genital organs, tk. in 25-40%, and according to some data, up to 60% of women, the disease is asymptomatic. It can be assumed that this pathology occurs much more often than it is diagnosed.

For the subclinical form of herpes of internal genitalia, the patient usually has no complaints, sometimes there are indications of recurrent, abundant mucous discharge from the vagina.During a gynecological examination, symptoms of inflammation are not detected. In a dynamic laboratory study of smears of the separated canal of the cervix, vagina and urethra, an increased number of leukocytes (up to 200-250 and higher in the field of view) is periodically revealed, indicating the presence of an inflammatory process. In a virological study of smears by the method of immunofluorescence, the HSV antigen is determined in leukocytes.

Asymptomatic form of herpes of internal genitalia is characterized by the absence of any complaints about the genital area in patients, objective clinical data confirming inflammation. In a laboratory study of the detachable urogenital tract, HSV is released, while there are no signs of inflammation (leukocytosis) in smears. Asymptomatic form of herpes of internal genitalia is detected in 20-40% of women suffering from RH of the buttocks and thighs. This important circumstance must be taken into account when planning pregnancy in women with this form of RH due to the existing likelihood of complications of HSV infection during pregnancy.

Complications of genital herpes.

Every fourth patient suffering from RHH develops complicated forms of the disease. Complications can be local and systemic. Local complications of HH include a complex of symptoms, consisting of increased trauma, dryness and the formation of painful bleeding cracks on the mucous membranes of the external genital organs, arising from mechanical irritation. These symptoms appear several years after the onset of the disease and make it difficult for patients to have sex. The most commonly affected area of ​​the posterior commissure and the mucous membrane of the entrance to the vagina.

Involvement of the nervous system in the infectious process occurs in every third patient suffering from HH, which is due to the neurotropism of HSV and the fact that it is the ganglia of the ANS that are the depot of HSV in the human body. It should be noted that pain syndrome in RHH occupies a special place. Attention is drawn to the frequent lack of objective data during gynecological examination, indicating inflammation of the internal genital organs. At the same time, patients complain of recurrent pulling pains in the lower abdomen, in the area of ​​ovarian projection, radiating to the lumbar region and rectum, pain in the perineum.In some cases, the pain syndrome can mimic the “acute abdomen” clinic. Long-term pain syndrome causes a decrease in sexual potency and libido in patients.

This phenomenon, as a rule, is associated with the specific herpetic neuralgia of the pelvic nerve plexus in patients.

Features of pain syndrome in RHH are determined by the properties of nerve formations involved in the infectious process. Irritation of parasympathetic fibers causes subjective sensations in patients in the form of a burning sensation, which is a pathognomonic symptom with relapses of HH.With herpes of the thighs and buttocks, there is often an increase in the superficial pain sensitivity of the skin (hyperesthesia), which is subjectively perceived by the patient as tingling, a feeling of “creeping”. Clinical manifestations of ganglioradiculitis are manifested by pulling pains along the back of the thigh, which is due to the involvement of the sciatic nerve in the pathological process.

Genital herpes: causes, symptoms, treatment in women and men

Herpes is the most common infection, but only two out of ten people have symptoms.Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease. Infection through the mucous membranes enters the human nervous system, where it can be “invisible” for quite a long time.

Activation of genital herpes occurs only when comfortable conditions for this come. So, they make a reverse migration from nerve cells to the mucous membranes, where they manifest as an extensive itchy rash. Soon, the rash dries up, turning into a crust, which is easily injured from sexual intercourse, scratching, rubbing against clothes, etc.d.

Symptoms of genital herpes

Symptoms of genital herpes are most often the same, but can occur both together and separately. In addition to rashes on the labia, clitoris, in the vagina in women and on the head of the penis, on the foreskin – in men, headache, fever, and muscle pain may be troubling.

Signs of illness may occur 3-7 days after exposure. Patients note general weakness, irritability, and sometimes an increase in body temperature.In the places of penetration of the pathogen, redness appears, then bubbles.

Subsequently, the bubbles crack, small ulcers appear, which tend to merge. With a primary lesion, viruses replicate at the site of entry, subsequently they move along the nerve fibers.

The frequency of recurrence on the genitals with HSV type II infection is on average 50 days, with HSV type I infection – once a year.

Genital herpes is ready to attack your body anywhere and anytime, but the risk increases significantly if:

• Your immune system’s defenses are lowered;
• the body was severely hypothermic or overheated;
• other concomitant infectious (non-infectious) diseases are observed;
• recently, manipulations such as the introduction of an intrauterine device or abortion were carried out.

Complications

Complications after genital herpes can be classified into groups, but their result is always the same. Due to the violation of sexual activity, nervous disorders are often observed, leading to depressive conditions. Moreover, being the second after rubella in the ability to form malformations in the fetus, it can lead to various pathologies during pregnancy or childbirth. It is assumed that genital herpes can contribute to the formation of cancers of the prostate and cervix.

HSV II (herpes simplex virus type II) is most often caused, although due to the spread of oral genetic contacts in 20% of cases on mucous membranes, HSV type I is detected by DNA tests.

Infection occurs through close intimate contact. The most common infection is through sexual intercourse and kissing. Infection spreads during genital, urogenital and anal intercourse, as well as during childbirth, when the newborn passes through the birth canal of a sick mother.Infection can occur from an infected person with or without symptoms of the disease.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis is based on those identified in scrapings or smears taken from fresh herpetic lesions of the skin or mucous membranes of the urethra, cervical canal, eyes by PCR or the detection of antibodies to the herpes virus type II and I by ELISA (blood).

Treatment of genital herpes

Treatment of herpetic lesions is an extremely difficult process, because sometimes the course can be latent, and often problematic, because patients do not come after the initial manifestations of the disease (primary infection), but after repeated exacerbations, when the virus is adapted to the conditions of stay in the body, and not is so “atypical” from the side of immunity.

Local treatment is ineffective, it mainly prevents complications (attachment of bacterial flora). Mainly used tableted antiviral drugs, immunomodulators and immunostimulants. In complex treatment, antihistamines, antiplatelet agents, vitamin therapy, and enzyme therapy are used.
Various factors contribute to repeated manifestations of the disease (exacerbation): hypothermia, ultraviolet irradiation, overwork, alcohol intoxication.

Attention! Do not self-medicate.For effective treatment, it is necessary to undergo a diagnosis and visit a doctor.

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90,000 ᐉ Signs of genital herpes in men and women (photo + video).

Genital herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection that causes blisters, sores on and around the genitals.

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Genital herpes often affects young people between the ages of 20-24. Every year, 24 million new cases of genital herpes are registered in the world.

Many people are unaware that they have genital herpes, although the blisters are usually painful. A man with genital herpes (as well as a woman) can still transmit herpes even if he has no obvious signs of the disease.

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What Happens When I Get Herpes Virus?

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) causes genital herpes.There are two types of herpes virus: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Most people with genital herpes are infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

As soon as the virus enters the skin, it begins to move along the nerve pathways. It can subside (become inactive) in the nerves and remain there indefinitely.

From time to time, the virus can make sorties (become active). When this happens, the virus travels along nerves to the surface of the skin, where it grows exponentially.

At this point, the virus may cause an outbreak of symptoms, or it may go undetected.

In any case active virus is easily transferred from one partner to another through sexual intercourse . Even the use of barrier contraception cannot protect a healthy partner, as the virus can be present on the skin that remains uncovered.

The number of recurrences or outbreaks of the disease varies from person to person.

What are the signs of genital herpes?

You may never notice signs of genital herpes at all. At the same time, you may notice the symptoms of herpes a few days (up to 2 weeks) after the initial contact with the patient. Or, conversely, you may not have an initial flare-up of symptoms until several months or even years after infection.

When symptoms appear soon after infection, they are usually more severe than if they appeared later.These signs may initially appear as small blisters that eventually burst open and form moist, painful sores that become scab-like and heal over several weeks.

Genital herpes sores on the penis.

Blisters and ulcers may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms with fever and swollen, enlarged lymph nodes.

Any of the following symptoms of genital infection can occur in a man or woman :

• Cracks, weeping or red areas around your genitals or anal area without pain, itching or tingling.
• Itching or tingling around your genitals or anal area.
• Small blisters that burst and cause painful sores. They can be on or around your genitals, penis or vagina, or on your buttocks, thighs, or rectal area (“butt”).
• Less commonly, vesicles can occur inside the urethra. This is especially painful in women during urination, when urine passes through the ulcers.
• Headaches.
• Back pain.
• Flu symptoms including fever, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue.

Herpetic vesicle.

Genital herpes is not the only disease that can cause these symptoms.

The only way to know if they are the result of a herpes simplex virus or other condition is to see a qualified doctor who will examine your body and send a swab to a laboratory for analysis to confirm or remove a diagnosis of genital herpes.

Can the symptoms of genital herpes be treated?

There is no cure for herpes, but symptoms can be reduced and treated with medication. Also, treatment can reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to someone else.

Your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs to help prevent or reduce pain and discomfort from the rash. Medications taken daily to suppress the virus can reduce the risk of contracting the virus.

Can signs of genital herpes recur?

The rash may recur in a person who has already had a rash.But many people get off with just a one-time rash.

Over time, the body develops a stronger immunity to the virus, and exacerbations become less and less frequent, and in some people they stop altogether.

What triggers the return of symptoms?

Symptoms usually recur during stress or illness, because they reduce the body’s defenses, immunity.

Also contribute to exacerbation:

• fatigue,
• illness,
• menstruation,
• stress,
• surgery.

Video. Genital herpes. What are the symptoms? What tests should I take? How to treat?

Is it possible to treat genital herpes at home?

Yes, something can be done to reduce pain and discomfort at home. For example:

1. Take pain relievers such as ibuprofen or paracetamol.
2. Wash painful areas with warm soda water twice a day – 1/2 teaspoon of soda with a glass of warm water.
3. Wear loose clothing to allow air to circulate around the ulcers.
4. Cool the painful area with an ice pack, after wrapping it with a towel.
5. More rest, do not overstrain.
6. Apply petroleum jelly or anesthetic or gel to blisters or ulcers. This can reduce pain when urinating.
7. Drink plenty of fluids that will dilute the concentration of urine.

To avoid infecting other , follow these steps:

1. Do not kiss when you or your boyfriend / girlfriend have herpes.
2. Avoid oral sex when either partner has oral or genital eruptions.
3. If you have sores, give up any kind of sex.
4. Wash your hands with soap and water after touching the affected body parts.
5. Do not lick your contact lenses with saliva.

Herpes on the lips (“cold”).

How serious a health problem is genital herpes?

For most people, genital herpes does not pose a serious threat to their health.Besides the discomfort, genital herpes is more likely a source of psychological stress. It can create the following psychological problems:

• Anxiety.
• Decreased self-esteem.
• Fear of infecting loved ones.

In some cases, however, complications from genital herpes can be serious, even life-threatening.

Although rare, pregnant women can transmit herpes infection to their baby.This can lead to the development of a serious illness in the child. If you have signs of recurrence (recurrence) of genital herpes infection early in labor, or if you first developed genital herpes in the last 6 weeks of pregnancy, your doctor may recommend a caesarean section for delivery.

Is genital herpes dangerous for pregnant women?

About 26% of adolescents and young women are infected with genital herpes. Genital herpes is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases.This means that 1 in 4 pregnant women is a woman with genital herpes. A pregnant woman with genital herpes can infect her baby during childbirth . But if a woman had genital herpes before pregnancy , or if she was infected for the first time in early pregnancy , the likelihood of contracting her baby is very low – less than 1% .

Women with genital herpes should carefully check for external signs of herpes before giving birth.If there are signs of recurrence (recurrence) of genital herpes infection during childbirth or if the woman first develops genital herpes in late pregnancy (6 weeks before childbirth), when the risk of infection of the baby is high (about 40%) (the mother’s immune system did not have time to develop antibodies against the virus), then a cesarean section is performed. Women with an old herpes infection have antibodies against the virus that help protect the baby.

If you are pregnant and think you have recently got sick, tell your doctor or midwife right away.

How not to get herpes during pregnancy

In order not to catch genital herpes – refrain from any kind of sexual intercourse for the health of your child . Women who do not have genital herpes should be careful about intercourse during the third trimester . If you are unsure if your partner has herpes, then avoid sexual intercourse during the third trimester. If your boyfriend / husband has a herpes rash on the lips, in the mouth (oral herpes), then refrain from kissing, oral sex.

All pregnant women should be tested for herpes, especially if the husband has herpes.

Ask your doctor to examine you for herpes in order to give birth to a healthy baby!

Treatment of genital herpes during pregnancy

Women taking antiviral drugs for herpes — daily herpes suppressive therapy or one-time therapy for an exacerbation — should talk to their doctor about whether to take these drugs during pregnancy.You and your doctor should discuss the risks and benefits to decide which is right for you.

Do not self-medicate !!! Herpes is serious!

The consequences of herpes in the matter for the newborn. The skin was not formed all over the body; only a membrane was formed in a larger area.

A herpes infection in a newborn can be very harmful. Don’t let anyone with herpes kiss your baby. If you have cold sores on your lips , do not kiss the child and wash your hands with soap and water before touching the child.

Videos. Herpes during pregnancy.

People with genital herpes are at a higher risk of contracting HIV. One reason is that cracks and lesions in the skin resulting from the flare-up of symptoms create holes through which HIV can enter the body.

Can genital herpes be a sign of HIV, AIDS?

A person who has recurrent exacerbations (manifestations) of genital herpes should be tested for HIV. Because flare-ups can be a sign of a weakened immune system. People who have genital herpes sores are more likely to contract HIV during intercourse. To be precise, the presence of herpes makes a person two to four times more susceptible to HIV infection , IN contact with HIV (an HIV-infected person, his body fluids). This is because open sores make it easier for the HIV virus to enter the body. Also, when you have an infection, your immune system goes up a notch, creating disease-fighting cells called macrophages.The HIV virus can bind to these macrophages in mucous membranes, such as the vagina or anus, and thus enter the bloodstream. If you have an infection (sexually transmitted disease) in the genital area, macrophages are especially concentrated there, giving HIV more opportunities to enter your body.

Concerned people (with and without herpes) have several options to help prevent HIV transmission:

• Use barrier contraception during vaginal, anal and oral intercourse.
• Refrain from intercourse during herpes outbreaks (which can help prevent HIV and herpes transmission).
• Regularly get tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and encourage partners to get tested and treated as well, if necessary.
• Limit the number of partners and communication with partners about any past or current infections.

Composite effect of genital herpes and HIV

HIV and the herpes virus mutually reinforce each other’s destructive effects.Research shows that when the herpes virus is active, it encourages HIV to multiply (makes more copies of itself – a process called replication). The more HIV replicates, the more the body’s infection-fighting cells (CD4) are destroyed, which ultimately leads to AIDS. People infected with HIV and the herpes virus may have longer, more frequent, and more severe outbreaks of herpes symptoms because a weakened immune system cannot control the herpes virus as effectively as a healthy immune system.

Genital herpes and problems with HIV treatment

It is often more difficult to treat genital herpes if you also have HIV. Higher doses of antiviral drugs are often required to treat herpes in people with HIV. In addition, many people with HIV have strains of the herpes virus that are resistant to treatment with standard antiviral drugs. If you are taking antiviral drugs for genital herpes and the treatment does not work, your doctor may test the virus you have for antiviral drug resistance.If the virus is resistant, there are other possible alternative treatments that are given intravenously.

If you have HIV, see your doctor if you still need to get tested for genital herpes. If you already know you have herpes and HIV, discuss treatment options with your specialist.

Although there is no cure for HIV or herpes, both infections can be treated.

Treating herpes and / or HIV can help reduce the chances of transmitting the virus to another person, and can also help a person with any type of infection stay healthy.

If you have reason to believe that you may have a genital herpes infection as a result of sexual contact – genital or oral – seek medical attention from your doctor!

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Having genital herpes does not mean that you cannot have children.According to the American Public Health Association (ASHA), only 0.1% of cases of herpes are transmitted during pregnancy from mother to unborn child. Most women with genital herpes successfully carry pregnancies and give birth to healthy children.
Breastfeeding during recurrence of herpes is possible. Except when herpetic eruptions are located on the nipples or mammary gland. If during breastfeeding the doctor prescribes you to take pills of antiviral drugs, the question of the advisability of continuing breastfeeding during the course of taking suppressive therapy should be discussed with your doctor.

Primary episode of genital herpes is usually a tragedy during pregnancy. It is characterized by pronounced manifestations, because the mother’s body does not have antibodies that protect against herpes. The risk of contracting genital herpes in the first and third trimesters is especially high for the fetus. As a rule, fetal death and miscarriage occur in the first trimester. Possible damage to the developing organs of the fetus, the occurrence of congenital deformities. Infection in the third trimester, especially after 36 weeks of pregnancy, is fraught with damage to the nervous system of the fetus, skin, liver, spleen.Despite the treatment prescribed after childbirth, up to 80% of newborns with a primary episode of genital herpes in the mother die or become profoundly disabled. Even intravenous administration of acyclovir to a newborn does not help. Fortunately, such situations are extremely rare and you need to work in obstetrics for several decades to see fetal lesions caused by a primary episode of herpes during pregnancy.

HOW TO DETERMINE WHAT I HAVE THE PRIMARY EPISODE OF GENITAL HERPES?
What does the primary episode mean? It means that you have never had a recurrence of genital herpes in your life and your body has not yet developed protective antibodies to HSV.

In some cases it is difficult to determine: what is it? Is it the first ever episode of genital herpes or the first relapse with visible symptoms? of genital herpes that was previously asymptomatic or with atypical symptoms. The fact is that in most people infected with HSV, the disease is almost asymptomatic. It is especially difficult to identify the disease in women if relapses occur inside her genitals, for example, on the cervix or in response to a relapse, a slight reddening with cracks appears on the labia, which the woman takes for irritation.She lives and does not suspect that she is sick with RHH. But now, during pregnancy, so that a miscarriage does not occur, hormonal changes take place in a woman’s body, aimed at a physiological decrease in immunity – immunosuppression. Against this background, relapses of herpes can become visible and the rash can crawl out, for example, on the labia, clitoris, perineum with manifestation in the form of itching, burning, vesicles and crusts, etc. In order to distinguish the primary episode of genital herpes, from the first relapse with visible symptoms, the patient needs to donate blood from a vein for antibodies to HSV-1,2.If there is Ig G (class J immunoglobulin) in the blood, then herpes is recurrent and there is practically no threat to the fetus or embryo. If there is no Ig in the blood, but there is Ig M or Ig M is also absent, then this is the very first episode of genital herpes in my life. In this case, you need to see a doctor and be examined.

There are no specific methods for preventing the transmission of genital herpes during pregnancy. Of the nonspecific, we can recommend a monogamous relationship, constant use of a condom.If it is known that the father of the child is infected with genital herpes, and the mother is not, then one should either completely abstain from sexual activity during pregnancy (until the moment of childbirth). Or a man must constantly use a condom + valacyclovir, 1 tablet daily throughout pregnancy. This measure will help reduce the risk of transmission of genital herpes by 75%.

Oral sex should be abstained from. Because if you have never suffered from herpes of the lips in your life, and the husband or father of the child had it, then during cunniling he can bring the herpes simplex virus type I to your genitals.And since You have never had HSV-1, then there are no protective antibodies in your body, the fetus may suffer (this situation is called a non-primary episode of genital herpes during pregnancy). We also recommend refraining from blowjob.

Acyclovir and valtrex are used for treatment. However, these drugs do not always allow achieving good treatment success.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (USA), the use of the antiviral drugs Zovirax and Valtrex by women during pregnancy was highly effective in preventing infection in newborns and did not adversely affect the development of the fetus. (Source: Centers for Disease Control, USA, “Register of Valacyclovir (VALTREX) and Acyclovir (ZOVIRAX) during Pregnancy.” December 1997).

Against the background of a primary episode of genital herpes, the loss of the desired pregnancy is a severe psychological trauma for both potential parents. But in any case, there is hope. The next pregnancy will proceed against the background of recurrent genital herpes. After the first outbreak, antibodies will circulate in the mother’s blood until her death (in very advanced years), which will preserve the unborn child.

Recurrent genital herpes during pregnancy

As blasphemous as it may sound, recurrent genital herpes is the most favorable option during pregnancy. If a woman has already had recurrences of genital herpes before the onset of this pregnancy, then the fetus is protected from infection with maternal antibodies that block the action of the herpes simplex virus. There is a 99% chance that your child will not get herpes.

STATISTICS:
During pregnancy, infection of a newborn with herpes simplex virus from a mother with recurrent genital herpes occurs quite rarely: in about 0.02% of cases.

The risk of infection of a child in childbirth from a mother suffering from recurrent genital herpes is less than 1% (According to research: Brown ZA, Wald A, Morrow RA, Selke S, Zeh J, Corey L. Effect of serological status and cesarean delivery on transmission rates of herpes simplex virus from mother to infant. JAMA 2003; 289: 203-9).

BEFORE PREGNANCY: Plan the onset of pregnancy , eliminate bad habits from your life, cure chronic diseases, take a course of general strengthening treatment, cure foci of chronic infection (bad teeth, sinusitis, gastritis) before pregnancy.

In some cases, a woman cannot know whether she had previously had recurrent genital herpes or not. This happens with herpes without symptoms or with an atypical course. In addition, it should be borne in mind that, unlike the stronger sex, the female genital organs are “out of sight. ” In order to find out if you have ever had a relapse, a serological test should be done. Donate blood for antibodies (immunoglobulins Ig G & Ig M) to HSV-1,2. If Ig G is present in the blood, then herpes is recurrent – herpes practically does not threaten pregnancy.Ig G indicator – qualitative (higher than diagnostic titers). Regardless of the titer (amount of Ig G & M), you can become pregnant.

DURING PREGNANCY:
– During sexual intercourse , be sure to use a condom ;

– Refuse oral sex
If during pregnancy you have herpes on the lips, then during oral sex you can transfer it to the penis of the father of your unborn child. And he will transfer the infection into your genital tract with this member.This can lead to bad consequences for the child. On the other hand, if you allow your husband to do cunniling and he has cold sores on his lips, he may bring another type of herpes to your genitals. That is why it is better not to joke with oral sex during pregnancy – you can grind it for 9 months in the name of a new life.

PREVENTION DURING PREGNANCY:
To prevent relapses during pregnancy after 36 weeks, your doctor may prescribe you a course of preventive treatment with acyclovir or valacyclovir.During pregnancy, it is better to use acyclovir, produced by GlaxoSmithKline under the name Zovirax or Valtrex. Unlike Russian and Indian counterparts, the safety of using Zovirax has been proven by clinical trials and experience in using this drug for more than 25 years. Take a maternity and nursing multivitamin.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (USA), the use of the antiviral drugs Zovirax and Valtrex by women during pregnancy was highly effective in preventing infection in newborns and did not adversely affect the development of the fetus.(Source: Centers for Disease Control, USA, “Register of Valacyclovir (VALTREX) and Acyclovir (ZOVIRAX) during Pregnancy.” December 1997).

Dynamic observation : Examination of pregnant women includes a mandatory three-time ultrasound examination: at 10-14 weeks of pregnancy, when the thickness of the fetal collar space is mainly assessed; at 20-24 weeks, ultrasound is performed to identify malformations and echographic markers of chromosomal diseases; ultrasound examination at 32 – 34 weeks is carried out in order to identify malformations with their late manifestation, as well as for the purpose of functional assessment of the state of the fetus. At 16 – 20 weeks, blood samples are taken from all pregnant women to study their levels of at least two serum markers: alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

Treatment: Only under the supervision of a doctor! An acyclovir-based ointment can be used externally. Ointments and creams – over-the-counter products Ointment does not work on the fetus. it is not absorbed into the bloodstream. For the prevention of rashes, 2 weeks before childbirth, the doctor may prescribe valacyclovir or acyclovir by mouth.

PREVENTION DURING LABOR:
Treatment during labor of the soft birth canal with polyvidone iodine (betadine, vokadin) or other antiseptics can reduce the risk of contracting the baby with neonatal herpes before Genital herpes – abortion or childbirth?

Many women with recurrent genital herpes are interested in how their illness may affect their unborn child.

The server has received a letter describing a typical example of an illiterate approach of Soviet doctors to the management of pregnant women with genital herpes:

Professor D ***, from the Chelyabinsk Medical Academy, believes that it is highly undesirable to maintain pregnancy during an exacerbation of genital herpes in small stages of pregnancy. Believes that it is necessary to achieve remission within 6 months before pregnancy. What other schools in Russia consider it possible to maintain pregnancy in the event of an exacerbation (manifestation, recurrence) of genital herpes in early pregnancy. They say that this threatens the deformity of the child and other problems. How to proceed. Take another course of treatment. I don’t want to risk it. There are no good specialists in the city. Nobody can really answer my question. Being pregnant (4-5 weeks), I was tested for herpes.I suspected that I had herpes, because and before pregnancy there were rashes and tests confirmed my worst assumptions. After that I had an abortion. What do you think, what threatens the child with the manifestation of herpes in the first months of pregnancy?

In developed countries, the optimal tactics for managing pregnant women with genital herpes has long been developed, based not on the private opinion of some “Professor D *** from the Chelyabinsk Medical Academy”, but on the data of long-term clinical studies and observations.

In order for someone’s subjective opinion not to lead you to an unnecessary abortion, we will once again tell you what to do if you have herpes and pregnancy.

If a woman for the first time in her life during pregnancy has a recurrence of genital herpes (primary genital herpes) or if the expectant mother becomes infected with genital herpes during pregnancy, the fetus may be affected. The fact is that in this case, the mother’s blood does not contain antibodies to the Herpes Simplex Virus – immunoglobulins Ji and Em (Ig G and Ig M), which block the pathological effect of the herpes simplex virus on fetal cells.

In the case of the first recurrence of genital herpes in a woman’s life, the virus can penetrate the placenta and multiply in the tissues of the embryo or fetus, which leads to fetal death, miscarriage, congenital malformations, damage to the brain, liver and other organs of the fetus, and missed pregnancy. The risk of fetal damage in primary genital herpes is 75%.

If the first recurrence of genital herpes occurs 30 days before delivery, delivery by caesarean section is recommended.

From 36 weeks of pregnancy, the doctor may prescribe to a woman for the prevention of recurrence of herpes tablets “Zovirax”.

To prevent infection with genital herpes during pregnancy, it is imperative to use a condom and exclude oral sex, i.e. a man should not caress the genitals of a pregnant woman with his mouth. The opposite situation is allowed.

If a woman had recurrences of genital herpes before pregnancy, antiherpetic antibodies float in the pregnant woman’s blood, which limit the infection and neutralize the virus.These antibodies enter the fetus through the placenta, protecting it. Therefore, recurrent genital herpes is not as dangerous during pregnancy. In this case, due to herpes, there are no deformities and lesions of internal organs.

With recurrent genital herpes , a baby can become infected during childbirth, passing through the birth canal, which has the herpes virus. The risk of infection is 2 to 5%. Treatment of the birth canal and baby’s skin with antiseptics containing polyvidone – iodine reduces the risk of developing neonatal herpes to 1-2%.To prevent the development of neonatal herpes from the 36th week of pregnancy, your doctor may prescribe Zovirax.

Recurrent genital herpes is not an indication for termination of pregnancy.

And despite all our explanations about the relative safety of recurrent genital herpes during pregnancy, sometimes you have to receive such letters: A woman with recurrent genital herpes writes: “And most importantly, herpes is just natural selection. Nature removes lepers, because their offspring are doomed to death, so I don’t even dream of children … ” and childbirth).Although, it cannot be ruled out that this is our medical flaw.

There is also such a diagnosis as non-primary genital herpes . What does this mean? Before or during pregnancy, a woman had recurrent genital herpes caused by herpes simplex virus type II. During pregnancy, the husband practiced cunniling (caressing the female genital organs with the mouth). As a result, herpes simplex virus type I (HSV-I) can get on the female genitals. Another option is also possible: A woman before pregnancy suffered from genital herpes caused by HSV-I, became infected during the act of oral sex.During pregnancy, the sexual partner rewards her with HSV-II. There are no antibodies to type I or II virus, respectively. As a result, the clinical picture may be the same as in primary genital herpes. Therefore, it is important to use condoms during pregnancy and not practice cunniling.

Use of immunomodulators during pregnancy

The server has received a letter describing a typical clinical situation:

“ I have a problem that requires urgent consultation.My obstetrician – gynecologist says that everything is fine, but I feel uneasy. I have a herpes rash on my lip for the second time in pregnancy (now the 31st week), the gynecologist insisted on Ridostin’s course, and I already gave 1 injection, but PREGNANCY is a contraindication to the medicine. My doctor says that they have been treating Ridostin during pregnancy for a very long time and nothing has happened. I have a question. How serious are the reasons for such contraindications (maybe this is a reassurance?) And should I do the next injection on Sunday? ”

In my opinion, the use of immunomodulators during pregnancy is UNSUFFICIENT:

* In this case, a woman’s herpes on the lips cannot bring absolutely no harm to either the woman or the child.

* The long-term effect of immunomodulatory drugs on the fetus is unknown. As you know, some of these drugs, easily penetrating through the placenta into the fetus, can cause congenital malformations in the latter, disorders of the immune system, and increase the risk of developing cancer.

* If the mother is sick with recurrent genital herpes, then this would also not be dangerous for the fetus, because it is protected by maternal antiviral antibodies.

* Immunobiological preparations: immunomodulators, vaccines, immunoglobulins are foreign proteins and can cause various complications during pregnancy.

Based on the foregoing, I urge women who during pregnancy are trying to treat herpes on the lips or genital herpes with immunomodulators, immunoglobulins and other immunobiological drugs to flee from such doctors and such savage methods of treatment. In the world during pregnancy immunobiological preparations are not used for the treatment of herpesvirus infections .

Author: Ivan Yurievich Kokotkin, doctor

Source: http: // www.herpes.ru/

90,000 possible causes, symptoms and therapy

The causative agent of such an unpleasant disease as genital herpes is in the body of so many people. Infection occurs through unprotected sexual intercourse, from mother to child during childbirth or through household use. The virus can stay in the body for a very long time (often all life), without manifesting itself in any way. The inflammatory process is activated in the presence of factors favorable for it.

Genital herpes is accompanied by very unpleasant symptoms, often recurring.This disease requires mandatory treatment. Only by contacting a doctor can relapse of genital herpes be avoided. How is genital herpes treated in women? This will be discussed in the article. We will also consider further the reasons for the activation of the virus, the routes of transmission of HSV, the symptoms and manifestations of the disease, diagnostic procedures and preventive measures.

The causative agent

The causative agent of genital or genital herpes is the herpes simplex virus, which will hereinafter be called HSV.At the moment, the medical community knows eight types of the disease. Genital herpes in women and men is caused only by the first two types of HSV, that is, HSV-1 and HSV-2. As a rule, the disease is caused (in 80% of cases) by a virus of the second type, the remaining 20% ​​is caused by HSV-1 or a combination of both forms. In addition, HSV-1 usually causes only the first manifestation of the disease, while relapses are associated with the activity of the second type virus.

Usually, genital herpes in women affects the perineum, anus and external genitalia.In fewer cases, manifestations of the disease affect the cervix and vagina. With a complicated course of the disease or in particularly advanced situations, the inflammatory process can move to the fallopian tubes and the body of the uterus. The peak incidence occurs in the age group of women from 21 to 25 and from 34 to 38 years.

The presence of the herpes virus in the body does not at all mean that there will be a pronounced clinical picture of the disease. In most cases, a woman is a carrier of HSV and is unaware of the presence of the disease.Herpes can be latent, dwell in mucous membranes and nerve nodes for almost decades. Often, HSV is present in the body of a carrier (carrier) throughout her life.

Prevalence of the disease

Physicians say that viruses of the first and second types are infected with almost ninety percent of the population. HSV enters the body and then remains there for life. The pathological process is activated in the presence of factors favorable to it, which will be considered below.Actually, the manifestations of herpes are found only in a small proportion of carriers of the virus. According to statistics, in the United States, three percent of the population has consulted a doctor at least once in their life with symptoms of genital herpes. But the medical examination showed that every fifth virus is infected with the virus of the second type.

Ways of transmission of herpes

Genital herpes is mainly transmitted through sexual contact, that is, due to sexual contact with an HSV carrier without the use of barrier contraception.At the same time, the partner may not have any external manifestations of herpes. Transmission of the virus can occur through both vaginal contact and anal or oral sex. The risk of contracting herpes is women who have many sexual partners who often change them, young girls who began to have sex early.

In some cases, but extremely rarely (2 incidents per 100 thousand births, according to medical statistics in Europe), the virus passes from the mother to the baby as it passes through the birth canal.At the same time, abrasions are likely to be noticeable on the mucous membrane of the woman’s vagina and on the head of the child, through which the virus was transmitted. Infection is possible through interaction with the patient’s body fluids, that is, blood, lymph and sperm. In this regard, gynecologists, venereologists and medical laboratory workers are at risk.

Self-infection of the patient is possible when he constantly touches the rash, for example, on the lips, and then touches the intimate area with the same hand.This is a very rare case of infection, but this type of infection also needs to be known. In addition, it is sometimes possible to get infected through the household, that is, through public toilets, the general use of certain items (bed linen, soap, towels, washcloths). The likelihood of infection increases many times over if a woman has cracks, wounds or sores on her genitals.

So, the most common causes of genital herpes in women are promiscuous sexual intercourse, frequent change of partners and refusal to use contraception (here it is important to mention that from STIs in general and genital herpes in particular it can save, and even then not with full probability, only barrier contraception, that is, condoms, not birth control pills or a spiral).Infection is possible in more than 50% of cases if the partner is a carrier of HSV-1 or HSV-2.

Risk factors

Herpes manifestations most often affect women who are subject to one or more risk factors. Under the influence of the following factors, the virus can become active and cause a clear clinical picture:

• decreased immunity for any reason;
• multiple sexual partners;
• unprotected sex with a new partner;
• insufficient nutrition;
• nervous experiences, frequent stress;
• insufficient hygiene;
• hypothermia or overheating;
• critical days;
• chronic lack of sleep;
• taking certain medications;
• any surgical intervention on the genital area;
• transferred abortion;
• the presence of concomitant gynecological diseases.

Primary acute form

Genital herpes in women occurs in three clinical forms. The most severe course and vivid symptoms are characteristic of the primary acute form. As a rule, the disease is localized in the perineum, on the external genitals, in the vagina, on the cervix or in the urethra. Most often, genital herpes appears in women on the clitoris and labia minora, gradually covering all genitals. Oral sex can damage the oral mucosa and upper respiratory tract.

The incubation period for genital herpes in women lasts five to eight days from the moment of infection. After the same time, signs of infection appear. What does genital herpes look like in women? This is a rash, vesicles, which then turn into sores, healing for a month or more.

Manifestations of genital herpes in women in acute form include:

1. The appearance of multiple or single vesicles filled with clear liquid. They appear on swollen or reddened mucous membranes.The diameter of such bubbles is usually about three millimeters. At this stage, they are painless and do not cause discomfort.
2. After a few days, the bubbles burst, and small ulcers form in their place. Usually sores are up to one millimeter deep and irregular in shape.
3. After a couple of days, the lesions are covered with a yellowish crust. If a secondary bacterial infection develops, the ulcers may fester or grow significantly in size.
4. If there are no purulent complications, the ulcers heal in the next two to four weeks.They leave no trace. Large and purulent ulcers can take a long time to heal – up to several months.

Bubble rupture is usually accompanied by burning, severe pain, itching, discomfort in the genital area, heaviness in the lower abdomen – all these are signs of genital herpes in women. Against this background, symptoms of general malaise often appear. How does genital herpes manifest in women? Common symptoms include:

• a rise in body temperature to 37 degrees Celsius;
• migraine, insomnia and general weakness;
• enlargement of the lymph nodes in the groin area.

The manifestations of the disease in different representatives of the fair sex are usually individual. Some deviations are possible, but the clinical picture in most cases makes it possible to clearly establish the disease.

Symptoms of genital herpes in women disappear as soon as the ulcers heal. But the virus has the ability to exist in the body for a very long period of time, so that in most cases the acute form becomes chronic, which recurs from time to time.

Chronic herpes

Approximately 60-65% of women who have had acute genital herpes relapse. The first recurrence of the disease occurs within a year after an acute inflammatory process. Exacerbations in severe forms of the disease can occur monthly, with mild – about once every three years. Doctors distinguish three types of chronic herpes, depending on the frequency of relapses:

1. Fading. It is characterized by a constantly increasing duration of remission and a remission of clinical manifestations in the acute phase.This is the most favorable option for the development of herpes.
2. Arrhythmic. The duration of remission is from two weeks to six months. The more often recurrences of genital herpes occur, the usually weaker the symptoms, but after a long remission, a very pronounced clinical picture is observed.
3. Monotone. In this case, the duration of remission is the same, for example, herpes can reappear after each menstruation and subside at the end of it. This is the most severe form and takes years to heal.

Atypical form of the disease

Atypical herpes is characterized by mild symptoms of the disease. Usually it affects not only the external, but also the internal genital organs, that is, the uterus and appendages. We can assume the presence of atypical herpes in the presence of symptoms of gynecological diseases, the causative agent of which cannot be identified using various diagnostic methods. The same can be said about those situations when the treatment does not bring visible results for a long time.

Symptoms of genital herpes in women, if we talk about the atypical form, are usually mild. There are no characteristic vesicles and ulcers with this form. Vaginal discharge is abundant, watery, also characteristic:

• mild edema of the genitals;
• very small bubbles;
• burning and severe itching in the perineum;
• feeling of discomfort.

Main manifestations

So, the main symptom of genital herpes is vesicles and sores on the genitals.What does genital herpes look like in women? You can see the photos of the rashes below. So, for example, healing sores look like. In addition, discomfort, itching and burning in the perineum, edema are characteristic, and general symptoms are often added: fever, weakness, insomnia.

If symptoms of herpes appear, you must immediately go to the hospital. First, it is worth visiting a gynecologist in order to exclude other pathologies of the intimate sphere, allergic reactions and non-infectious diseases.It is imperative to pass tests, because a visual examination alone is categorically not enough. Only after studying the test results will the doctor be able to diagnose and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Concomitant diseases

Often the fair sex complain of the occurrence of herpetic cystitis. In this case, a woman often begins to feel the urge to go to the toilet “in a small way”, experiencing severe pain and burning sensation when urinating. In addition, herpes often provokes the appearance of colpitis, endometriosis of a viral nature, leukoplakia of the cervix.

Colpitis (or vaginitis) is an inflammation of the vagina, which is accompanied by abnormal vaginal discharge, itching, discomfort in the perineal region, which intensifies during critical days, and a sensation of dryness may join. Endometriosis is an inflammation of the uterus that causes pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation. Usually, the discomfort radiates to the lower back or sacrum. Leukoplakia is a mucosal lesion, the main danger of which is the possibility of malignant transformation of keratinization foci.

Often occur with herpes urethritis and cystitis. These diseases of the excretory system are characterized by frequent urge to urinate, pain during this process, discomfort and severe burning sensation, the appearance of blood impurities in the urine. In women, cystitis often accompanies primary infection with genital herpes.

If during the diagnostic procedures the doctor reveals several diseases against the background of genital herpes, the treatment will be general for all pathologies.

Herpes and pregnancy

If a woman is infected with the herpes virus and is carrying a baby, the chances of infection of the fetus are extremely small, but still exists.But the possibility can reach 50% or more if the expectant mother is diagnosed with acute primary herpes. Infection usually occurs when the child passes through the birth canal. By the way, a cesarean section does not exclude the possibility of transmitting the virus to the newborn.

Infection of a child can lead to severe damage to the central nervous system, skin and eyes. A complication in the form of encephalitis is likely. In the later stages, herpes in an acute course threatens with miscarriage or spontaneous spontaneous abortion.Herpes can be the cause of the birth of a disabled child (this is the second reason that leads to the development of deformities in the fetus, after rubella).

Genital herpes during pregnancy is rarely treated with medication. If there are no obvious manifestations, the doctor may recommend that therapy be carried out after childbirth. In any case, the approach to the management of pregnancy in women with herpes should be very careful.

Diagnosis of herpes

Treatment of genital herpes in women should begin immediately after diagnosis of the disease.For this purpose, a gynecological examination is carried out, as well as other diagnostic procedures, the purpose of which is to confirm or refute the diagnosis. The external manifestations of genital herpes (the photo was presented above) are similar to the symptoms of some gynecological diseases, so an examination by an experienced gynecologist is not enough. Even if the specialist is highly qualified.

The most reliable methods that will determine the disease and begin treatment for genital herpes in women are gene diagnostics and virological research.In the first case, the presence of a DNA virus is determined in the patient’s secretions. The ability of this test to detect the presence and type of the virus reaches 100%, so the study is very informative.

In virology, the contents of the vesicles are placed in a special medium, where the virus further multiplies.

Among the auxiliary diagnostic methods, one can list the determination of antibodies in the blood and the RIF reaction. However, many people have antibodies, so their presence in the body does not directly indicate the presence of herpes or the fact of sexually transmitted infection.But determining the presence of antibodies is a very important method in some difficult cases or during pregnancy, when it is necessary to find out the features of the course of the pathology.

Treatment of the disease

How to treat genital herpes in women? The therapy will not lead to the complete disappearance of the virus, but will effectively and quickly eliminate the manifestations of the disease, and reduce the frequency and complexity of new complications. Treatment of genital herpes in both women and men involves the use of special drugs and antiviral chemotherapy.

Research has proven the high efficiency of four drugs: Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, Famacyclovir and Penciclovir. In Russia, there are only the first three of them. Most often, in the treatment of genital herpes in women, “Acyclovir” is used. The sooner treatment is started, the more effective you can expect. Maximum efficiency is achieved if therapy is started immediately before the appearance of rashes or on the first day.

How to cure chronic genital herpes? If relapses often occur, then long-term treatment may be prescribed for a course of several months.This will reduce the frequency of relapses by three quarters and reduce the painfulness of symptoms. The treatment is complex and very long, so the decision on the prescription of drugs is made by the attending physician, depending on many factors. The psychological state of the patient, and her motivation, and concomitant diseases, and the desire to plan a pregnancy are taken into account.

Widespread in our country drugs that, according to manufacturers or distributors, can completely remove herpes from the body, and in a couple of weeks and completely eliminate relapses.The use of such drugs is not only not supported by any successful medical practice, but often has absolutely no scientific basis. There is no vaccine against herpes with proven efficacy and safety of use.

With herpes on the genitals, symptomatic treatment with local drugs is possible. Ointments are used that will prevent the spread of the virus and help get rid of most of the unpleasant manifestations of the disease.The treatment regimen is prescribed by a gynecologist or dermatologist. If the virus has also affected the anus, suppositories with an antiviral drug are needed. The use of mild analgesics is also possible.

Typically, a course of treatment with ointments or suppositories takes approximately five to seven days. If an acute form is diagnosed, which manifests itself for the first time, then therapy is needed a little longer – about ten days. The affected areas should be lubricated with medication three to five times a day.

It is important to remember that no therapy is meaningful without examination and treatment of the sexual partner.

Possible complications

Genital herpes in women (photos of the symptoms were presented above) in the absence of treatment or untimely therapy threatens with rather unpleasant consequences. A woman will not only infect her sexual partner, but also cause significant harm to herself and her health. Genital herpes can spread to the cervix and the uterus itself, leading to infection of internal organs and systems. Some women also have psychological problems and problems in their sex life.That is why psychological support for women during the treatment of genital herpes is also important. Feedback from patients confirms that sometimes they needed not only drug treatment to eliminate symptoms, but also a consultation with a psychologist.

Prevention

To reduce the likelihood of the disease, it is recommended to abandon the installation of the spiral as a means of contraception, prevent abortion (and, if necessary, carry out the procedure with gentle methods, medication, which is possible only until the eighth week of pregnancy), use condoms.It is advisable to have a permanent partner who does not have any diseases. It is also necessary to regularly carry out hygienic procedures, take care of your health and, if you suspect any disease, immediately contact a gynecologist. It is important to remember that preventive examinations are recommended to take place once every six months, at least.

Genital herpes in men

Of course, not only women can develop genital herpes. Men are also susceptible to this disease. The symptoms are all the same: vesicles and sores, pain and burning in the affected area, severe itching, possibly general malaise.Relapses are usually milder than the first manifestation. In a strong half of humanity, genital herpes can lead to pathologies such as urethritis, which is manifested by pain and urinary disorders, the appearance of blood impurities in the urine, and cystitis. The latter disease is characterized by frequent urge to use the toilet “in a small way”, pain and discomfort when urinating. A feature of the course of herpes in men is the subsequent progressive development of prostatitis.

Herpes on the clitoris and vagina: photos, symptoms and manifestations

Published: 29 Apr 2014, 14:53

In women, genital herpes is a dangerous disease prone to frequent relapses.Both the diagnosis and treatment of the virus have a number of features.

Herpes on the clitoris is caused by the Herpes simplex virus, HSV or HSV. Currently, medicine knows eight types of the virus. The vaginal type of the disease is caused by two types of virus. HSV1 causes the very first case of genital ulcers. HSV2 is associated with recurrent genital infection. I would like to note that this pathology is associated not only with damage to the clitoris or vagina, but also to the anus, cervix and perineal region.In the most severe cases, the infection can travel to the fallopian tubes and ovaries.

Herpes on the vagina is transmitted mainly through sexual contact, through normal contact, through anal or oral sex. It is possible to get infected even if the partner does not have any manifestations of the disease at all. It is extremely rare to acquire the genital type of the disease in a household way. A sufficiently high degree of infection if there is damage to the mucous membrane, skin and there are manifestations of ulcerative wounds.

Herpes on the clitoris and vagina occurs in women with the following risk factors:

• low immune system;
• unprotected sex;
• change of sexual partners.

The virus manifests itself in small bubbles filled with a cloudy liquid. Rashes are observed on the surface of the thighs, in the region of the posterior (anal) passage, in the urethra, in the cervix, herpes pours out on the clitoris. The photo allows you to understand how dangerous and serious this disease is. The blisters are accompanied by itchy skin and redness. Every five days, the bubbles burst, and ulcers and erosion form at this place, within two weeks, they gradually slough off and overgrow with healthy skin.

In the area where herpes appears on the vagina, severe itching may occur, which causes nervous irritation, fever and general malaise.

Treatment of genital herpes is aimed at eliminating the manifestation of the disease, reducing the frequency of new exacerbations, but does not lead to the destruction of the virus. The main method of therapy is the use of special antiherpetic drugs, i.e. the use of antiviral therapy. The prescription of drugs such as interferon inducers, adaptogens, and immunomodulators is widely practiced.

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Sexually transmitted diseases | Clinic Elite

HIV and AIDS

HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus (English HIV – Human Immunodeficiency Virus) – is a virus that destroys the human immune system. This virus penetrates into the cell and has the ability to change its structure in such a way that with further division, each new cell carries HIV.Over the years, the virus destroys so many lymphocytes that the resistance of the human body decreases, and the infected person is exposed to various diseases. Because of HIV’s ability to mutate, it is difficult to kill with drugs.
AIDS -Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome -is the final stage of HIV infection, which a person develops a few years after infection.
Infection. HIV is transmitted with semen (sperm), vaginal secretions during sexual intercourse, in which no protective equipment was used, or with blood.Sharing needles and syringes while injecting drugs carries a high risk of infection. There is also a risk of contracting an organ transplant or blood transfusion. Viral infection can also be transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding. In Western countries, mothers susceptible to a viral infection, 10-20% of children were infected. HIV is most easily transmitted to another person during the initial period of infection, as well as at the stage of AIDS.
HIV is not transmitted through everyday communication.It is not transmitted when kissing, shaking hands, when visiting the toilet or bath. Hacecomae do not transmit infection.
Symptoms and course of the disease. In some people (approximately 1/3 of those infected), the first symptoms are detected 1-8 weeks after receiving the infection. Signs of illness may include fever, sore throat, headache, joint pain, eczema, and swollen lymph glands. The first symptoms disappear on their own after a few weeks.
After the initial period, when early symptoms appear or even if they do not appear, the virus continues to spread in the body, but the person may feel healthy.As the disease progresses, swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, clavicle hollows and armpits becomes noticeable. The general condition is getting worse. Fever, diarrhea and night sweats are common. The time of occurrence of the listed symptoms is very individual. 10 years after infection, symptoms of the disease appear in about 50% of those infected.
In the AIDS stage, the immune defense of a person is weakened, so various inflammatory diseases (for example, tuberculosis) and tumors develop (for example, Kaposi’s sarcoma).The patient’s condition depends on what diseases he becomes susceptible to and how they can be treated
Examination. It is impossible to make a diagnosis based on the symptoms, since many other diseases have the same symptoms and almost none of the infected have early symptoms. The only way to identify a possible infection is to get tested.
HIV infection is determined by blood tests. Since the process of antibody formation is being investigated, the presence of infection does not manifest itself immediately, but only after 2-4 months.A completely reliable analysis result can be obtained after 6 months from the date of possible infection. The results of the analysis are confidential information, and they are reported only to the researcher himself.
It takes 1 to 2 weeks to get test results. You can take tests anonymously in many medical institutions.
Treatment. According to the law on infection, examination of AIDS patients, their treatment and medicines are free of charge. It is not yet possible to cure AIDS. Yet more and more effective drugs for AIDS patients have been developed recently.Life expectancy after illness has increased and a normal lifestyle can be maintained for a longer period. Thus, we can say that AIDS is currently a long-term chronic disease.
There is no need to stop sexual activity, even if you are HIV positive. The most important thing is to remember responsibility in all situations and to engage, of course, only safe sex. The law requires you to ensure that both the person living with HIV and his partner adhere to the requirements of safe sex.

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Gonorrhea, or gonorrhea

Causative agent: Gonococcus bacterium
Gonorrhea infection occurs during intercourse through the vagina, anus or through the mouth. From the hands, the disease can spread to the eyes. Infection of the rectum also occurs. A newly born child can become infected through the reproductive organs. Symptoms usually appear within a day or a couple of weeks after infection.
Symptoms in women. Leucorrhoea (vaginal discharge), which may appear normal, but more profuse than usual.You may experience a burning sensation when urinating. Lower abdominal pain and fever can be a sign of inflammation that has spread to the ovaries.
When gonorrhea is acquired through the mouth, the throat may feel sore throat-like or asymptomatic. Very often, in women, symptoms of the disease appear very weakly or do not appear at all.
Symptoms in men. Burning sensation when urinating and frequent urge to urinate. Yellowish-greenish discharge from the urethra.Painful erection. In case of infection through the mouth, sore throat. In men, gonorrhea can also be asymptomatic.
Survey. Samples for analysis are taken with a cotton swab from the urethra, cervix, pharynx and rectum.
Treatment. Gonorrhea is treated with antibiotics. Analyzes, treatment and medications are free of charge under the Law on Contagious Diseases in health centers and city venereal outpatient clinics.
In women, gonorrhea, if left untreated, can lead to inflammation of the oviducts.This leads to childlessness. In men, a neglected disease can cause inflammation of the testes, which can also lead to childlessness.

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Chlamydia

Causative agent: Chlamydia bacterium
Currently, chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease. Chlamydia is sexually transmitted. A newborn baby can become infected through the reproductive organs. Symptoms appear approximately 10-14 days after infection.
Symptoms in women. 75% of women who contract chlamydia do not develop symptoms. Unusual vaginal discharge may be a sign of infection. Minor bleeding after intercourse or between periods. Itching and burning when urinating. Pain in the lower abdomen and sacrum. With inflammation of the rectum, slight bleeding or mucus production.
Symptoms in men. Approximately 25% of men have no symptoms.The most common symptom may be a grayish, cheesy discharge from the urethra in the morning. Weak burning sensation when urinating. When the rectum is inflamed, there is little bleeding or mucus.
Inspection. Samples for analysis are taken from the urethra, from the cervix and rectum. The presence of infection is not detected immediately – it is necessary to postpone the tests for about 10 days after a possible infection. The results can be seen in about a week.If chlamydia spreads into the fallopian tubes, it can cause blockages (obstruction). This may result in childlessness or an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. The adhesions resulting from the inflammatory process cause pain in the lower abdomen. Men can develop very painful inflammation of the testes, which in turn leads to obstruction of the vas deferens and impaired fertility. Both men and women, as a complication after chlamydia, may develop joint pain.Chlamydia that is not properly baked during pregnancy can cause inflammation of the baby’s eyes and airways.

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Syphilis

Syphilis is a slowly developing common infection, the primary symptoms of which often go unnoticed. If left untreated, syphilis can be fatal. Syphilis is passed from mother to child during intercourse, oral sex, or pregnancy.
Symptoms. The incubation period for the development of the disease after infection lasts 3-6 weeks.Upon its completion, at the site of the introduction of infection on the genitals, in the rectum or in the mouth, the so-called. primary ulcers. They are small, purulent, and not painful, and heal slowly over several weeks. About a week after their appearance, the lymph nodes in the groin swell, become hard, but no pain is felt. In women, the labia of the vulva may also swell.
Bacteria spread through the lymphatic and blood vessels throughout the body. Approximately 2-4 months after infection, symptoms of the second period appear.Common symptoms include headache, fever, and sore throat. Small rashes appear on the skin, as well as pimples, especially on the palms and soles of the feet. Hair loss may occur. Acne may appear on the mucous membrane of the genitals, around the anus. The above symptoms disappear without treatment, about six months after infection, and the infection turns into the so-called. latent (latent) period. In untreated patients, on the skin and mucous membranes, symptoms of the second stage of the development of the disease may, however, appear repeatedly during the first two years after infection.During this two-year period, syphilis is contagious. Among those who have been sick with syphilis and who have not been involved in its treatment, in 20-30%, after many years and decades, the so-called. late syphilis, which affects the central nervous system and circulatory organs.
Inspection. Syphilis is usually diagnosed based on symptoms. A blood test reveals syphilis two months after infection, and it is only two years later that untreated syphilis is no longer contagious.
Treatment. Syphilis is treated with penicillin, which is given by intramuscular injection for two weeks. The earlier the course of treatment begins, the more effective it is.

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Warts or bleeding warts

Iru infection or condyloma affects both men and women. A newborn can become infected during childbirth through the reproductive organs. Warts are infected by contact with mucous membranes, during normal or anal intercourse.The transmission of infection is facilitated by the presence of damage to the mucous membrane or an existing infection in the genital area. Infection can occur during sexual intercourse, but warts are extremely rare in the mouth.
Symptoms in women. The incubation period for genital warts lasts from several weeks to a year. After it, small light pink or white dots appear on the mucous membrane of the genitals, which can develop into warts, similar in shape to a cauliflower shoot.Warts range in size from one millimeter to several centimeters. In women, warts grow in the pubic lips, vagina, cervix, perineum, anus, and at the opening of the urethra. A change in the mucous membrane can simply be a tightening of the skin or mucous membrane without the appearance of warts. Sometimes excruciating itching becomes a symptom. Most often, condyloma occurs without symptoms and is detected during general examinations.
Symptoms in men. The incubation period is the same as for women. In men, warts appear either under the foreskin, on the penis, the head of the penis, near the opening of the urethra, or around the anus. In the oral cavity, warts are either light or the color of the mucous membrane. Quite often, in men, condyloma occurs without symptoms in a form that is invisible to the eye.
Inspection. Condyloma in women is detected during a gynecological examination.An analysis of a sample of exfoliated tissue taken from the cervix is ​​often used, as well as colposcopy (observation of the genital organs through a magnifying device). Condyloma in men is diagnosed by external examination, as well as through a magnifying device, as with colposcopy.
Treatment. There are many treatment options that are influenced by the size, number and location of the warts. They can be lubricated, treated by freezing, removed by laser or electrocoagulation.Both men and women should be monitored in the future, since there is a danger of cell modification and the risk of a relapse of the disease is relatively high.
Warts can cause cancerous growths on the cervix. A small percentage of untreated cervical warts develop into cancer over the years. Therefore, it is very important to have medical supervision after treatment of the disease and annual testing.

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Herpes

Causative agent: There are 2 types of herpes simplex virus (HSV, “Herpes simplex”).

The first type (HSV-1) affects mainly the skin and the mucous membrane of the lips (-causes labial herpes or a rash on the lips), eyes, nose and other organs, and the second (HSV-2) mainly affects the genitals. This is genital herpes. Currently, due to the widespread use of oral-genital contacts, there are more and more cases when genital herpes is also caused by the HSV-1 virus.
After the initial infection, the virus enters the lymph nodes, where it remains in a latent form.Often the virus remains in that state without causing further symptoms, but in some infected people, it activates with excruciating frequency, even several times a year.
The disease is transmitted through intercourse and oral sex. Herpes can affect a prone fetus during the pregnancy of an infected woman, or the newborn becomes infected during childbirth. The consequence of this can be a dangerous brain inflammation. If the mother has herpes blisters at the time of delivery, then the birth is carried out using a cesarean section.
Symptoms. The incubation period after infection ranges from several days to a week. The first symptoms are itching and pain at the sites of infection. After a couple of days, bubbles filled with liquid appear at the sites of infection. In women, bubbles can appear on the labia, in the perineum, around the anus, in the vagina, or on the cervix. In men, they appear on the penis, on the head of the penis, or in the anus. Very often, primary infections are accompanied by a violent manifestation of the disease – poor health, headache and fever.The glands in the groin are enlarged almost all the time. The bubbles burst after a few days, leaving painful wounds that then crust over. Symptoms of the primary infection may persist for up to two weeks
After the primary infection, the disease always remains, but only in a latent form. The frequency of recurrence of symptoms and the degree of their pain is very individual. With recurrent herpes, the manifestation of the disease is usually weaker, and the general well-being does not deteriorate. Local symptoms are the same as in the primary infection, but they heal faster, or within about a week.Re-infection is often stressful. Relapse of the disease also appears in connection with other infectious diseases, during menstruation or after mechanical irritation (for example, violent intercourse).
Inspection. The sample is taken from the vial on a cotton swab. The analysis result can be obtained in a week.
Treatment. Treatment of genital herpes is a difficult task due to its lifetime in the body and the lack of funds that have an effective effect on it.Most often, drugs from the group of nucleoside analogs are currently used for treatment. In addition, in the acute period, a specific anti-herpes immunoglobulin is used. In complex treatment, immunostimulants, vitamins, antihistamines and other drugs are used. When the intervals between relapses are at least 2 months, vaccination with a hermetic vaccine is carried out. After 6 months, a second course is carried out. Vaccination is repeated 4-6 more times. The use of the vaccine can increase the intervals between relapses and reduce their manifestations.

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Candidiasis

Causative agent: Yeast-like fungus of the genus Candida.
This disease is popularly called “thrush”. It is caused by yeast-like fungi. Candidiasis is a common infection. Fungi can be found in the vagina in many women who have no complaints. They enter the genital tract mainly from the intestines and through contact with patients. The development of an inflammatory reaction in candidiasis (candidal colpitis) is facilitated by factors that reduce the body’s immunity, such as diabetes mellitus, a violation of fat metabolism, and diseases of the digestive system.In pregnant women, candidiasis is detected more often due to the numerous changes occurring in the woman’s body at this time. Long-term use of hormonal contraceptives, broad-spectrum antibiotics, corticosteroids and some others also plays a role. “Thrush” is a manifestation of superficial candidiasis of the skin and visible mucous membranes. With severe immunity disorders, lesions of the urinary tract (cystitis, urethritis), lungs (bronchitis, pneumonia), intestines (dysbiosis) can develop.
Symptoms in women. With candidiasis, women usually complain of white, cheesy discharge and itching. The disease lasts a long time, may be accompanied by periods of exacerbation (with menstruation, hypothermia, etc.) and the subsidence of complaints.
Symptoms in men. In men, the fungus causes itching in the genitals, slight redness on the head of the penis and swelling of the foreskin.
Diagnostics, as a rule, is not difficult. Candidiasis is well detected in conventional vaginal smears.In some cases, culture (sowing of secretions on nutrient media) and other methods are used. With a persistent course of the disease, the definition of sensitivity to various antifungal drugs is used, which allows you to prescribe the most effective active agent.
Treatment. Nystatin, levorin, boric acid and borax (sodium tetraborate) were previously widely used for the treatment of candidiasis. A number of more effective and less toxic agents are now available.

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Hepatitis

Hepatitis refers to inflammation of the liver caused by a virus.The most common types of hepatitis are types A, B and C.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A infection occurs when fecal matter containing the virus enters the mouth of another person. Most often, infection occurs when they are transmitted through water and food. Fecal particles entering the mouth during alternating anal and oral sex can lead to hepatitis. Hepatitis A is the least dangerous of all hepatitis. The infection does not lead to chronic liver inflammation and cirrhosis, nor does it lead to liver cancer.The illness often begins with fever, muscle pain, general malaise, and diarrhea. After about a week, the urine turns dark and the skin and whites of the eyes turn yellow. The disease goes away on its own in about 2-4 weeks.

Hepatitis B

Infection with hepatitis B occurs through blood (for example, through syringes for injecting drugs) or products containing blood, during sexual intercourse (semen, discharge from the uterus), or the infection is transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy and childbirth.Only a small proportion of those infected get the infection, accompanied by symptoms. These symptoms are the same as in hepatitis A. Among the infected, some remain a constant carrier of the virus. A small number of carriers of the virus develop cirrhosis or chronic liver inflammation within 10-20 years. Some carriers of active chronic hepatitis are cured by taking alpha interferon.
In case of hepatitis B disease, it is possible to use a series of three vaccinations for treatment (the first vaccination – the second after a month – the third vaccination after six months).

Hepatitis C

Infection with hepatitis C occurs through the blood. The most common route of infection is through the use of syringes and needles while injecting drugs. Half of the carriers of the hepatitis C virus develop an active form of chronic liver inflammation. Chronic hepatitis C increases the risk of liver cancer. With the help of treatment with alphainterferon, approximately 20% of patients with chronic hepatitis C can be cured.

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Pubic lice

Pathogen: Flesh-colored flat louse 1-3 mm in size.
Pubic louse sucks blood and lays eggs on pubic hair. Infection with pubic lice occurs through skin-to-skin contact and bedding.
Symptoms. Symptoms appear 1–3 weeks after infection. Skin irritation and itching in the genital area.
Treatment. You can buy a solution of Hexide (Desintan) at the pharmacy without a prescription, which is applied to the skin in the pubic area for a day. After a week, the procedure is repeated. Underwear and bedding are changed.

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Scabies

Pathogen: Scabies mite 0.3-0.5 mm in size.
Scabies is spread through skin contact.
Symptoms. Itching occurs 3-6 weeks after infection. With scabies resulting from sexual contact, symptoms of the disease are especially evident in the lower abdomen, groin and thighs. Itching worse in the evening. Small, reddish pimples develop on the skin. Scratching can inflame the skin and develop pustules on the fingers, hands, and penis.Traces of the scabies mite movement may be found.
Treatment. A solution of Hexide (Desintan) is rubbed all over the body. After application, the medicine is washed off after 12-14 hours. Underwear and bedding are changed. The medicine is applied again after a week. The partner and family members are treated at the same time, even if they show no signs of illness.

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Trichomoniasis (or trichomoniasis)

Trichomoniasis (or trichomoniasis) is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. It is caused by Trichomonas vaginalis – a microscopic pathogen capable of independent movement with the help of flagella and an undulating membrane. Trichomonas very often accompany other infections of the genital tract – chlamydia, gonococcus, viruses, etc. Infection occurs, as a rule, only through sexual contact. The incubation period is 5-15 days. The development of the disease is facilitated by various diseases of the genital and other organs, accompanied by metabolic disorders, a decrease in immunity, hormonal disorders, a violation of the flora of the vagina, in which its acidity decreases.Trichomonas actively multiply during menstruation also due to changes in the vaginal environment. The pathogen lives mainly in the vagina and in the lower cervix. There is no immunity to the disease.
There are several forms of the disease: fresh (in turn, it is divided into acute, subacute and torpid, i.e. oligosymptomatic), chronic and carriage of Trichomonas, in which there are no symptoms in the presence of the pathogen in the vagina.
In acute and subacute forms, patients complain of profuse vaginal discharge, itching and burning in the external genital area.With the defeat of the urethra, there is a burning sensation and pain when urinating. The torpid form is not accompanied by complaints of leucorrhoea, itching, or they are not very pronounced.