Hi everyone I'm 41 years old and I've been living with genital herpes for 23 yrs. Even though it's been a long time for me, I still have those random struggles with depression and embarassment with OB. I haven't been in many relationships after being diagnosed but I will disclose this to someone I feel that an intimate connection is evolving so they can know what they are getting themselves involved in. I never really talk about this because I struggle to find a comfort level about having herpes but it is my reality. I probably should have had therapy because I was devastated when I was told that I have this and it literally made me just want to give up at that time but I'm still here. So as a way to constantly strive for self acceptance, I want to encourage you all that you can live a normal life and have healthy relationships. The key is to be honest with your partner as well as with yourself. You are not disgusting and you are not some plague that people will run away from. Understand that who ever you choose to be in a relationship with and they don't have herpes that there will be a silent fear for them of getting it. Being open and not ashamed to talk about it will only help the both of you to deal with something of this magnitude. I'm not going to deny that there are many times when I wish that I never got this but my goal is to not dwell on the past. I hope my words will help anybody who is struggling with having herpes and time has been my coping mechanism but I too need people to talk about how I feel.
.jpg)
