Six weeks ago I was diagnosed with genital herpes. I have questions about sex.?

My boy friend I are experiencing difficulty having sex now that I was diagnosed. We have been told so many different things by so many different doctors that I do not know what to believe. Can he perform oral sex on me between breakouts? I caught it from his oral herpes that way. If he already has it there is it safe? Also, I have read that some people do not use condems between breakouts if they are taking suppresant meds. I need honesty about what other people practice, using plastic between our bodies makes sex SO unjoyable, for both of us. The rubber iritates my skin and sometimes rips it, he loses his erection as soon as the condom is on. what other options do we have? I am 41 and he is 53.

I am already taking acyclivir every day as supression medication. I have been feeling good with no sores at all. Also, I read that female shedding has to do with their periods and comes from the cervix. I had a hysterectomy 10 years ago and do not have a cervix. My boyfrind has oral herpes only as far as we know, he has an open sore, performed oral sex and that is how I caught it. If he has it on his mouth already how would he then get it worse includiing his tongue and inside his mouth..thank you all for your help in this matter, I really appreciate it. Also I have been to three doctors, they all give me different answers to no proble with sex between outbreaks to making my feel as though I am walking disease that can infect anybody if I touch them.

Exactly the same thing happened to me.

You may want to use acyclovir to start with, but in general with genital hsv-1 you should not need it. Suppressive meds for genital hsv-1 are a complete waste of money - you are unlikely to get many outbreaks and it is only infectious about 3% of the time including outbreaks. I just take a couple of tabs when I feel an outbreak coming on - that kills it for me.

It is PERFECTLY safe for your boyfriend to give you oral sex - he already has the same virus as you on his mouth, he CANNOT catch it on his mouth again.

We don't use condoms between outbreaks at all. We never use condoms. Both of us have the same virus, just as both as you do - you do not need to worry about passing the virus between you.

The following answer is from the website of the Herpes Viruses Association:

...."If you and your partner have the same virus you will not reinfect each other - even on a different part of the body. So, if you have caught it on your genital from your partner鈥檚 facial cold sores, he or she will not catch the virus back on the genitals."

Have a look at their website - it is very helpful. You really don't need to worry about either of you catching it - you both have the identical virus!

We have tried to avoid outbreaks - but even so we have slipped up and had intercourse when I have a genital outbreak, or I have kissed his cold sore by accident a few times. We haven't caught it again though, because we both have antibodies to the virus. Genital hsv-1 infections usually happen in people who have never had oral herpes, or who have only caught oral herpes in the last few months. That is why, despite 80% of people having oral hsv-1, and most practicing oral sex, we don't all have genital hsv-1.

Really, don't worry about it. It isn't a problem at all. We just forget about it - we used to worry when he had cold sores and I didn't - but it is a non-issue now we both have it.

You both already have the virus?

If so, I would use low dose suppressive therapy with generic acyclovir.

This is much cheaper than Valtrex and almost as powerful.

If one partner did not have it - then I would suggest Valtrex.

If there is an outbreak, avoid contact.

As you have been told - you can have shedding of the virus - even when there is no evidence of the disease.

The most important thing to me as a doctor is to avoid touching your eyes.

Herpes conjunctivitis is one of the worst infections - and it could cost you your sight!

So after sex, do not touch your eyes (rub them, e.g.)

Whether you are between breakouts or not it is still possible to transfer the warts (STD) to your partner. You both should receive treatment and practice safer sex (use of lambskin condoms)...foreplay may help things stay intense a little longer also if there is trouble with staying aroused.

If he has HSV in his mouth and he passed it to your vagina...there is no difference in haveing oral sex he has the same virus .
So just don't do it while u are experimeneting a outbrake.

He can perform oral sex and you can have unprotected sex. He just stands the chance of getting genital herpes from you b/c even between outbreak, you have what is known as viral shedding, which is when the virus can be passed to him. And even if two people have genital herpes, they think that they are ok, but actually this virus has different strains, so it's possible to pass a different strain to your partner.

You can take a daily suppressants if you have frequent outbreaks, or you can use them to reduce the number of outbreaks that you have. You also need to remember to reduce the amount of stress in your life as this can cause an outbreak. Here's some more info on genital herpes and valtrex. I also suggest that you make an appointment to talk with your ob/gyn to discuss other options. Good Luck!

http://www.cdc.gov/STD/herpes/STDFact-He...

http://www.valtrex.com/

Good NEWS! Usually if you've caught genital herpes from oral herpes - that is Type 1...and it likes to live on the upper body & face - it doesn't like the genital - usually you find Type 2 down south...
So you might see an outbreak or 2 and you have HSV Type 1 in your nervous system, but you're lucky because you are unlikely to see many outbreaks at all!

Anyhow - you two should not be having any sexual contact when you SEE or FEEL (tingling, itching) an outbreak! So you don't spread it around your bodies any further. You can get it in your mouth - in your eye - so be careful!
When neither of you have any signs or symptoms - it's safe to have sexual contact...
Take care!

He can perform oral as long as you don't have any sores or fell like you are getting one. It will fell a little tingly inside your lips and itchy. I really don't know what to say about the condoms i would say try all different kinds. try to find one that fills good to you both and believe me there are some that will make it good for both not like skin to skin but you can find one that is close. If he gives you oral without you wearing a condom then he can get them all over his lips and inside his mouth so really think out that if you are for sure you are not about to have an outbreak and if he and you fell like it then who is to tell you not to just pay attention to your body for any sign of an outbreak