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Many people shave or trim their pubic hair and develop pimples that form from ingrown hairs, or bacteria from the razor, but…if you are unsure, you may want to see if it may be genital herpes.
Many people have herpes and don’t know it. The symptoms are so mild that they go unnoticed and are then spread to other partners. If you have symptoms, it usually starts with a painful blister(s) that generally heals within 7-14 days. Some people may also experience symptoms such as: itching, pain while urinating, vaginal discharge, tingling, and redness. The virus is often mistaken for other medical conditions and is known as the “great imitator.” A person may mistake it for jock itch, hemorrhoids, a rash, urinary tract infection, yeast infection, or vaginitis.
The virus is spread from skin-to-skin contact and can be found anywhere front-to-back in the genital area. Herpes can also be found in and around the mouth and can be spread from mouth-to-mouth contact, mouth-to-genital contact, or genital-to-genital contact. The first outbreak is usually the worst. Some people will have continual outbreaks throughout the year, while other may never have another outbreak. The problem is that even without an outbreak (symptoms), there can be viral shedding. The virus can lay dormant in the nerves and then something can trigger the virus to become active on the surface of the skin.
Unfortunately, there is not one trigger for everyone and they vary for each individual. Some of the most common triggers are: changes in weather, stress, sex, diet, exhaustion, menstruation, illnesses that compromise your immune system, sun exposure, and certain foods. However, if someone takes antiviral medication, they can reduce the severity, length, and frequency of the outbreaks. The medication can also greatly decrease the spread of the infection from one person to another by reducing the viral shedding.
Want more information? Read more on Planned Parenthood’s website.
You also might find these posts interesting:
- What to Expect at Your STI Exam
- Beyond the Condom: 3 Different Ways to Use Protection
- STIs: The Facts About Gonorrhea
