Herpes Or Yeast?
Well of course let’s hope it’s yeast because that one is easy to fix!
At the early stages of herpes , the symptoms of herpes and yeast infections can seem very similar.
Both can cause intense itching and if left untreated, yeast infections can actual cause small blisters. The difference between the two is that untreated a yeast infection can go on and on and make your life miserable. With genital herpes, the itch will fade away as the herpes outbreak appears and it will become more sore than itchy (although yeast infections can ALSO cause soreness). Best thing to do if you are unsure is get tested for HSV2 while taking active steps to treat any vaginal infection.
And if you indeed have herpes (which let’s hope you do not!) the following treatment for yeast (and any other bacterial vaginal infection) will help ease any of the symptoms of female genital herpes. (for more information on vaginal herpes, visit this link)
Bottom line: The following will not hurt you and will relieve any itching.
OK, the issue with yeast is that it thrives in a moist warm environment and thrives on sugar. Yes, alcohol (wine for me, please!) is basically sugar in a bottle. What keeps yeast in check is “good bacteria” or “probiotics”, and when you have a vaginal infection it means that your good bacteria has dropped to extremely low levels. As such, you need to replace them.
First you buy some pro biotic capsules (make sure they are high quality and that when you buy them, the store has them in the FRIDGE). You start taking them internally. Two a day is fine.
Second, you have to get the probiotics into your vagina because this is where the problem is. GOOD health food stores will actually sell vaginal ovules that you insert into your vagina at night. This will actually clear up the entire problem by the time you wake up in the morning! However, these are expensive for what you get. Here in Canada it’s like $30 for 10 – 14 ovules which last 7 – 14 days, and you really only need one or two.
I do love my red wine so I get these yeast infections about once or twice a year. I keep the ovules in the fridge (you always have to keep good bacteria cold), and use them if I have them but sometimes they expire. In these cases, it is a little messier (but still as effective) you OPEN one of your regular tablets (the ones you swallow), and mix the powder with a little olive oil and push it into your vagina. This works well too and is obviously cheaper (but messier).
That’s it!
As for instant relief, you can use a bit of tea tree oil mixed with olive oil and spread it through your labia. It is so relieving and works quickly. Also, crazy but true, mix about 4 parts warm water with 1 part apple cider vinegar and find a way cover the entire area. You can lie down and use a squirt bottle or at the drugstore they often sell these funny buckets you put on your toilet and sit in (I got mine from the hospital after giving birth). You DO NOT need to do these relief things. The probiotic treatment will be the ONLY thing you need to absolutely cure you (shame the Doctors don’t know this) but sometimes if you wake up with a yeast infection and won’t have time to the whole vaginal insertion thing, it’s nice to have instant relief for a few hours until you can find the time.
Hope this works for you. I’m sure it will.
Good luck!
Oh, and if worse comes to worse, and you actually do have HSV2, you can click here to read about living with herpes and dating with herpes.
Dear Nanci, I hope you continue to write this blog. It is wonderful! I have experienced both “warts” and “herpes” outbreaks. Laser treatment for one, and creams for the other-back in the day. They didn’t prescribe any antivirals until Famvir came out. Had several outbreaks in the beginning then things quieted down for a very long time. So here we are in the year 2012, married and 2 kids later, and I am going through some very difficult outbreaks. Treating with medication and creams (although the insert says not to use for HSV2 only cold sores). Found out that having diabetes can also wreak havoc on HSV2. Just knowing someone else thinks/feels the same way I do, makes me realize I am not alone. (Believe it or not I don’t know anyone else that has it, or has admitted to it at least) Thank you so much for updating and sharing your story. You are an inspiration to others. God Bless
Hi. I’ve been freaking out for almost a week since an ex of mine texted me and told me he had just been diagnosed with genital herpes. We only spent one night together and continued to “date” long distance for about a month until he mysteriously quit communicating with me. It’s been four months since I last saw him and I am now worried to death that I have the virus, too. However, I haven’t had any outbreaks or signs during this entire time. I’m terrified that I gave it to a man I love very dearly who also lives quite far from me and with whom I had sex just prior to finding out about my ex’s diagnosis. I have been very depressed – especially about the idea of unknowingly giving it to someone about whom I care so deeply. A few days ago I started having itching and a bit of soreness in my vaginal area and was convinced I was having an outbreak. However, I don’t have any of the classic sores I have read about in studying up on HSV-2. I now think it might just be a mild yeast infection. I am getting tested as soon as I can (which isn’t soon enough) but does anyone have any advice or experience they can share with me? Is it possible that (if he did have it before he met me) I avoided getting it? I have been surprised and relieved to read stories of lovers of those infected being herpes free even after years of sex with the infected partner. Any input would be great! Thank you!
Sorry to say this but you too might also have herpes. This std only requires skin to skin contact. Meaning condoms won’t help you or protect you from this virus. If he has it then you more then likely will have it too. Symptom onset vary from people to people and you may not start to show symptoms yet. That itch in your vagina is a clear sign, you don’t have to have blisters to confirm you have herpes. So if your friend really has hsv-2 and you guys had sex while he had it. Then Im sorry to say that there is a high chance you wil have too. And that itch is no yeast infections. It the early signs of herpes, pretty sure because I have it and thats how mind started.
If you do test positive for it then you need to learn how to boost your immune system for eg eating fruits, maintaing a good diet and etc.
Life goes on be strong just dont pass it to anybody please. You can make a difference today by not spreading this disease
Look foward to std dating websites
Thanks for the post, my yeast infections tend to happen when I binge drink alcohol or get too much sugar in my diet. If you can stay on a healthy diet and where clothes, such as cotton undies and looser fitting pants it helps.