Help! How to protect my partner from herpes?

[kaybee]

Hey everyone,

 

I haven't told a potential partner I have herpes yet, but I met someone who I can see going in that direction. I was thinking if we get to a place where I would want to have sex if using a condom is enough to protect him? Should I go on antivirals even though I get few outbreaks and will use condoms every time (an extra layer against pregnancy!)? Thanks I just really want to prevent spreading it to someone else! :(

[mr_hopp]

You are planning on telling him you have herpes before having sex with him, aren't you? I hope so. :) If you need help with how to tell your partner you have herpes, definitely check out the free e-book I wrote here (plus 2 handouts that will give you all the facts and figures you'll need to know to keep him safe):

http://eepurl.com/b4IPP

[kaybee]

Thanks for the info! I definitely want to tell him first. I just want to get all of my facts straight and determine if I should go on anti-virals in addition to condoms if things work out!

[mr_hopp]

Awesome! I'm glad you're seeking out all the information first so you can be knowledgeable if he has any questions. The post-disclosure handout (in the link above) will help you with all that much-needed info. And hey, you don't have to figure it all out now on how it might end up working with him. He gets to have a say in it, too, ;) That's all part of the conversation of what level of risk both of you are comfortable in taking on. So exciting that you have someone you're wanting to disclose to! I always like to think of disclosure as signalling a great time in a relationship where you trust someone else with something vulnerable. That's a beautiful thing. It's not about herpes. It's about the connection you're feeling with this other person.