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What Causes Reddish Bumps On The Clitoris?
Question: I have just had BV, diagnosed by my OBGYN. I am currently on my 5th day of a 7 day treatment. I also just noticed today that I have some small red spots on the inner labia that look exactly like tiny red taste buds on your toungue. I had a new partner roughly 11 days ago, but is a close friend who SAYS his status for all stds are negative. I have been tested and am negative for everything that can be tested for at this point (chlm, gon, syph, hiv, tric). I just went to the doctor again because I saw a red spot on the inside of my clitoral hood. After messing with it a lot, I now have a bit of a tingling- same as I would have after sex if pubic hair was rubbed against. Nothing seriously hurts or itches or really looks sore like at all- I just get very paranoid about these things. The doctor that I just went to said there is absolutely nothing to worry about and that herpes (especially an initial episode) always hurts, no matter what- even before the blisters open to sores. She also said the slight redness on my inner labia was probably caused by my excessive self examination over the last week. I consulted with my regular OBGYN and another OBGYN for assurance and they each say herpes presents within 2-4 days after exposure and that the pain and itching is undeniable. They believe I would know by now. I just can't help but feel paranoid and stuck on this idea.
Brief Answer:
You can be tested for Herpes in 4-6 weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and I hope I can help you today.
First of all, I want to point out that the red bumps you are noticing on your clitoris and labor minora can be just due to irritation. You could be irritated from the sexual contact, or, from your bacterial vaginosis, or- if you are using a vaginal gel to treat it- the gel may also be causing irritation.
It is true that you also may have the early symptoms of herpes, but most likely you would be much sicker and in pain, as a primary (first) episode of herpes also causes fever, burning with urination, and more lesions continue to appear and get worse.
So I do think it is unlikely that your symptoms are due to a herpes infection, but both you and your partner can be tested by blood. The blood test for herpes will be positive in 3-6 weeks after exposure, and of your partner is tested, you would be able to know if he is a carrier.
20 percent of sexually active adults have herpes, but only about 10 percent know they have it because they attribute the symptoms to something else, like an ingrown hair or a shaving rash. Also oral herpes can be transmitted to the vulva via oral sex. 80 percent of adults have had a cold sore at least once in their life, which is caused by Herpes type 1.
So I think the most likely thing is that you do not have herpes, but you could be tested in a few weeks to know your status. I know this may not immediately ease your peace of mind, but it will take time to make an accurate diagnosis.
I hope I was able to adequately answer your question today and that this information was reassuring. If you need anything further, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best wishes,
Dr. Brown
You can be tested for Herpes in 4-6 weeks
Detailed Answer:
Hello, and I hope I can help you today.
First of all, I want to point out that the red bumps you are noticing on your clitoris and labor minora can be just due to irritation. You could be irritated from the sexual contact, or, from your bacterial vaginosis, or- if you are using a vaginal gel to treat it- the gel may also be causing irritation.
It is true that you also may have the early symptoms of herpes, but most likely you would be much sicker and in pain, as a primary (first) episode of herpes also causes fever, burning with urination, and more lesions continue to appear and get worse.
So I do think it is unlikely that your symptoms are due to a herpes infection, but both you and your partner can be tested by blood. The blood test for herpes will be positive in 3-6 weeks after exposure, and of your partner is tested, you would be able to know if he is a carrier.
20 percent of sexually active adults have herpes, but only about 10 percent know they have it because they attribute the symptoms to something else, like an ingrown hair or a shaving rash. Also oral herpes can be transmitted to the vulva via oral sex. 80 percent of adults have had a cold sore at least once in their life, which is caused by Herpes type 1.
So I think the most likely thing is that you do not have herpes, but you could be tested in a few weeks to know your status. I know this may not immediately ease your peace of mind, but it will take time to make an accurate diagnosis.
I hope I was able to adequately answer your question today and that this information was reassuring. If you need anything further, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best wishes,
Dr. Brown
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thanks for your response! I have blood tested negative for HSV1 and HSV2, 2 months ago. That was a full 100 days after potential exposure and so this recent potential exposure would be the k question. It's unlikely this partner is positive, and he definitely had no visible symptoms- which I know transition is still possible. My doctor said that what I have done is pull at the labia and vaginal area so much in the last week that I've torn and stretched the labial skin and have now introduced bacteria. He prescribed me another antibiotic in addition to the metronidazole for the BV I was taking earlier this week. I know I need to leave the area alone but it is so difficult!!! He also said that herpes hurts all the time and not to believe what I read online about herpes not hurting. He also said since I am negative for both types of herpes I have no anti bodies and therefore the initial outbreak would be even worse. He also said that outbreaks happen within 2-4 days, and that I would have most certainly have had an outbreak. Is all of this information true? I've now seen 3 different doctors to be sure. They are all saying it's not herpes but have not taken swabs because there is according to them, nothing to swab. Pictures he showed me of herpes looks pretty serious and absolutely nothing like I have. What I have are the same tastebud-like bumps I always have down there, but a few of them (exactly where the labia stretches out when I pull at it) are slightly red. I'm told this could be staff infection, if it is anything at all. They prescribed antibiotics to be safe and even Xanax because I was so anxious and nervous over it. Am I sounding crazy? They have all said this is 110% not herpes and that even if I told them I was having pain, it would still not think it was herpes. It's just a very hard thing to believe doctors after you have been terrified by the Internet!!!
Brief Answer:
I agree with the other doctors opinions, and you tested negative
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
I do agree with the other doctors opinions that if you tested negative, if you contracted heroes now you would be very sick... As I said, likely with fever and terrible pain. Many women have such pain with urination that they have to squirt water over themselves while urinating, and some are even hospitalized for urinary retention.
Regardless of how many opinions you may get, you need to cope with the fact that you will not be able to get a definite answer until you can be retested. Constantly examining your labia will not help making an absolute diagnosis. I agree with your physician who prescribed Xanax, as I do believe no further physician's opinions will be able to reassure you unless you try to calm down, as there is nothing anyone can do at this point to make an absolute diagnosis.
So again, I agree with the other physicians who have advised you, as your symptoms are not consistent with a primary herpes infection.
I hope you are able to be reassured at this point about your situation, and really try to be patient and see how you feel after a few days of not touching the affected area.
I do hope you feel better soon.
Sincerely,
Dr. Brown
I agree with the other doctors opinions, and you tested negative
Detailed Answer:
Hello again,
I do agree with the other doctors opinions that if you tested negative, if you contracted heroes now you would be very sick... As I said, likely with fever and terrible pain. Many women have such pain with urination that they have to squirt water over themselves while urinating, and some are even hospitalized for urinary retention.
Regardless of how many opinions you may get, you need to cope with the fact that you will not be able to get a definite answer until you can be retested. Constantly examining your labia will not help making an absolute diagnosis. I agree with your physician who prescribed Xanax, as I do believe no further physician's opinions will be able to reassure you unless you try to calm down, as there is nothing anyone can do at this point to make an absolute diagnosis.
So again, I agree with the other physicians who have advised you, as your symptoms are not consistent with a primary herpes infection.
I hope you are able to be reassured at this point about your situation, and really try to be patient and see how you feel after a few days of not touching the affected area.
I do hope you feel better soon.
Sincerely,
Dr. Brown
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
Just a follow up to this saga. My cultures came back positive for BV and a yeast infection. Odd that I was experiencing these at the same time, but I have recently started new birth control, menstration and a new sexual partner all in the same week, so I guess those changes call really affect your vaginal area!! Today, the irritation that was present yesterday is completely gone. So I guess my doctor was right, I had some self inflicted vaginal irritation/tears/etc., from too many self examinations. It's amazing how leaving the area alone for just a day has really changed the symptoms! There is still redness, but it is much less pronounced and I assume will only continue to be better after I take my yeast medication. My culture was negative for HSV- as my doctors believed, but they were nice enough to appease my wondering mind!! Any time any sort of vaginal issues occur soon after a new sexual partner it can of course send you into a frenzy, but I feel much better now! I appreciate your advice.
Brief Answer:
Thank you and I am glad you feel better!
Detailed Answer:
I am glad that you were able to get an accurate diagnosis and that you're feeling better! Thank you again for using my services and healthcaremagic.com and if you need a second opinion or have any other questions that come up, feel free to contact me.
Warm regards,
Dr. Brown
Thank you and I am glad you feel better!
Detailed Answer:
I am glad that you were able to get an accurate diagnosis and that you're feeling better! Thank you again for using my services and healthcaremagic.com and if you need a second opinion or have any other questions that come up, feel free to contact me.
Warm regards,
Dr. Brown
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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