katy

I got diagnosed at 26. Not as young as you but i too thought my life was over and it so wasn't. Does it change dating and hooking up? Of course, but it actually helps act as a reminder to practice safe sex. I still had one nigh things, casual hook ups etc. I'd ask their status, tell them mine and there was always sex after :). I know it's hard to see that now, but TRUST me, you'll be fine and continue to enjoy sex and dating

What about localized anti-inflammatory agents? It wasn't necessarily a steroid but i've had cortisone in my knee repeatedly for a running injury - just curious

It's really important to catch yourself when you start going down the negative thought train of the what ifs - what if this realtonship doesn't work out and i'm single again, what if i end up alone etc - it's easy to do but the more you do it the more you reinforce it and start to believe as truth. Mindfulness is important for this because it trains you to notice your thought patterns and not fuel them. EFT is great for this too - helps process emotions neurologically to release trauma and lessen anxiety. If your gf has a change of heart, life will go on and you will find love again. I know that propsect is scary and i was terrfied each time i broke up with an ex - but i always found another guy that wanted to be with me, and my fears were groundless. Hang in there!

I would definitely seek the help of a professional therapist. I did after being diagnosed and it helped a lot. I know you feel hopeless now. I was there. But 6 years in after my diagnosis, I KNOW things get better. Better to a point where you don't think about the virus much at all. I had multiple partners accept my status, it rarely affected my sex life and i began to put the pieces back on my self worth. The only thing you have to worry about with herpes is your relationship to yourself and whether you let it define you. Life is too precious, and there's so much worth living for. You can and you will have a beautful, full love, with love and and good sex! I know because it happened to me and so many people that have this super common virus. The outbreaks get better too! And you will get to a point in your healing where you rarely have them.

I'm 32 and was diagnosed at 26. I made a lot of headway accepting myself. I'm in NYC, let me know if you'd like to chat.

It will get better, i PROMISE. I was diagnosed 5 years ago and felt completely hopeless too. First things to remember: You're not disgusting. You have a virus. This was not your fault. You have sex like every adult and caught a virus. the way you feel now is not the way you will feel forever. I know it's impossible to see that but you need to try to keep faith that with time and mental training, it will. I've told many partners and have had good reactions. I rarely think about it anymore but that wasn't always the case. How you talk to yourself and what you believe make all of the difference. Try to bring compassion to yourself right now, it's OK to feel sad and scared, it's natural but it's not your truth. Hang in there, it WILL get better.

I never planned ahead thinking tonight is the night, which helped keep me from building up nervous energy for too long. I'd think tonight might be but let's see - Having a cocktail under your belt is also recommended haha but not 4 - i always said something when it became clear things could head towards sex, i.e. there was serious making out and a shirt or two came off. I realize this isn't always suggested but i never waited until they were reaching for a condom, just felt like it made it less of a big deal in that scenario than if i were to pull them aside over coffee or something. It's like ok, things are starting to heat up, let's have a sexual health convo. I always ask their testing history first then i would say ok, there's something that came up on a test for me i'd like to let you know about it - it's hsv2 and i've had it for x years. i didnt even know i had it and i've never given it to anyone - i typically let them then respond before i go into too much dialogue. My current bf was like ok, just let me know when we can't have sex - there was no need to go into stats with him or go through the nuances of my symptoms. You telling them is enough. It's their responsibility to then educate themselves. some people will have more questions. All of my bf's ended up doing research on their own which i found out later but even after dr. google, it didn't change their decision to be with me. hope that helps!

I have a question - what were your post ob ph symtpoms exactly? I've always wondered if some of my mystery symptoms might be in inbalance in relation to the virus since my symptoms last a very long time. I have been tested for yeast on these occasions and the results were negative though and i've never had a serious cottage cheese situation going on (sorry didn't know how else to describe that!)

I've disclosed to four guys and all have been OK with it. Two of these became seriously relationships, one of which i'm still in. He's been incredibly supportive when i'm symptomatic, etc. just wanted to let everyone know my experience. I also never felt the need to 'date down' or settle anyway in quality. DON'T DO THAT!

I found out i had HSV-2 through a random blood test but then pretty much immediately had what i thought was an outbreak. Intense burning, my entire vagina is really red and i feel pain sometimes in my bladder area and when peeing. These episodes would last months sometimes, and i ended up seeing 4-5 drs who all said it wasn't herpes- and a few drs who are self-proclaimed experts. It would eventually go away, only to return several months later, sometimes it would just be a few day-week but at least once a year i have an episode that lasts for 2-3 months straight. I have never really seen bumbs although the texture of the skin looks off, not as smooth as normal. I've had the area swabbed 4 times during these episodes as well and it was negative. I'm so frustrated because i a. just want to know whether it is or isn't, but b. am scared that it is in which case i have bad symtpoms. i've taken alycyclovir and famcyclovir and neither helped. has anyone had a similar experience?

Hi, i'm a 31 year old female in NYC. I was diagnosed 4 years ago - since i've had 3 boyfriends and disclosed to multiple partners so i can hopefully help from that angle