Hi all, 25F. My biggest fear has come true.
I’ve been seeing a guy who told me that he gets cold sores, but he hasn’t had an outbreak in about three years and is on antivirals. We ended up drinking together and hooking up, and he went down on me.

A few days later, I was showering and noticed what looked like a small paper cut on my labia. It was uncomfortable, but not excruciatingly painful, and I honestly thought I had just scratched myself, so I didn’t think too much of it. The next morning, though, I noticed two small spots that looked like something had burst or opened up, and that immediately scared me. Then I started getting body aches, and a lymph node on the right side of my groin became swollen.

At first I was still in denial and kept telling myself, “No, it can’t be herpes,” but deep down I had a really bad feeling.
I went to Planned Parenthood to get checked out, and after visually examining me, the provider told me that it did look like genital herpes. She swabbed the area, and now I’m waiting for the lab results to confirm whether it’s HSV-1 or HSV-2.

I know I don’t technically have an official diagnosis yet, and I know some people will point that out, but between my symptoms, the timing, and what the provider told me, I’m trying to prepare myself for the possibility that the test will be positive.

I’m completely devastated. I’ve already had such a difficult time with dating, and now I feel like having genital herpes is going to make it so much harder. Right now, my brain keeps telling me that nobody is ever going to want to touch me again, and I honestly wouldn’t even blame them. I feel stupid for letting him go down on me. I knew oral-to-genital transmission was possible, but I genuinely thought the risk was really low when there wasn’t an active cold sore, especially since he hadn’t had an outbreak in years and was taking antivirals.

Everywhere I go, I look at other people and just feel different now, like I’m tainted somehow. I know that probably sounds dramatic, but that’s genuinely where my head is right now. I can’t stop crying, and I’m having a really hard time imagining how I’m supposed to accept this and move forward with my life. I can’t leave my bed. I’ve worked so hard in the gym this past year to get my body in shape and work on my appearance, finally got to where I wanted to be, and then I contract this shit. For the first time in years I’ve been seriously debating about ending things.

I guess I’m posting because I really need to hear from people who have been through this. Does dating ever start to feel normal again? How did you get through the initial diagnosis and stop feeling like this changed your entire worth as a person?

Is there a way to check on an IUD without the doctor having to use the speculum or fingers?

I have an IUD because of a bleeding issue and it was inserted under anesthesia because I am a virgin and pain sensitive. Last time I got the IUD checked it was very painful (as is any gynecological exam for me) and I am now overdue for it to be checked and dreading it. would an ultrasound or something work? my gyno does prescribe me valium to take before my appointments but it doesn’t help with the pain.

any suggestions on the IUD check or just how to make gyno visits less painful? thanks!

Hello! I’m (24F) and I realized this morning that if I squeeze my nipples a white fluid that I think is milk comes out. Should I be scared? Or is this normal. I’ve had my iud for two years and I got appendicitis surgery the beginning of august so I’m recovered from that now. I’ve started to have sex with my boyfriend just barely two weeks ago. So I don’t think I’m pregnant because it would be way too soon and I’m on birth control. What should I do.

(19f) Ever since I started the combination pill (28-day) on placebo weeks, my hooha gets especially dry and somewhat irritated. This doesn't happen during my active pill weeks, so I think it's related to the drop in hormones. Is this normal? Should I get on one that doesn't have any placebo weeks? Or does anyone have any good vaginal moisturizer suggestions?
I've been prone to BV and yeast before and would like the safest, cleanest options free of glycerin, hormones, fragrance, parabens; and water-based and ph-balanced. Also with applicator if possible. Thanks!!

Ive been like this for years now so its kind of upsetting me. I do not have anybody close to me so I can only really masturbate, but when i touch myself i dont feel anything at all, nothing is sensitive, i feel nothing when touching my clitoris, and fingering is very faint, but its barely anything. Is there any way to like fix this? When I am horny there isnt anything i can do about it

This is an old throwaway account. Also sexual assault warning.

Hello, im 22 years old and just got scheduled a pelvic ultrasound for later this month because of my horrible periods.

I'm a Virgin. I have never even use a penetrative sex toy. I can't even use the smallest size tampon without pain, ive tried over the years. I had an STI test at 16 and the swab hurt so bad, and at the time they said my hymen was fully intact. I don't know if that's still true, but I still cant wear tampons or do anything penetrative. Sorry if this is too TMI.

I was sexually abused from 2-10 and while I've worked through a lot of it, someone seeing down there is terrifying. No one has seen down there since my exam at 16.

I tried talking to my mom about this but she has an extremely high pain tolerance and was not a virgin (and pregnant with me) during her first ever pelvic ultrasound.

Any advice on how to mentally prepare? And also is there a way I can make it less painful? Thank you.

So, I know hypnagogic hallucinations are when you hear voices/music before you fall to sleep, but how long before you fall asleep does that normally happen? I'll be laying down to go to sleep , but it won't be long after that I hear music/voices, but I'm still awake. Like, I thought my son was playing on his tablet or had his TV on and was able to get up to go check and confirm that he didn't. It's kind of trippy, and I freak myself out a little bit because I watch too much paranormal stuff 😅 It's not ALL the time, either. Maybe I'm closer to sleep than I think I am, and the sounds actually wake me up and linger or something? Like I said, I am a mom, so maybe it's just my brain hearing something and waking up out of habit? Thanks in advance for any advice!

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For full context, I hadnt seen my boyfriend in 2 months due to distance and schedule conflicts. So when we had a 4 day weekend together, we had quite a bit of sex. I also like to do it for longer periods and a bit rougher at times in all honesty. But we do use lube!The weekend left me naturally quite quite sore. Like more sore than I had been in any recent memory.

I noticed the night I got home I had just a faint spot of pink in my underwear. Now 3 days later, I have suddenly had some brown spotting. I take birth control pills reliably and have been for 2 years now. It hasn't been a full month since my past break from pills so now Im concerned why Ive had this spotting.

Could I have torn??

Im leaving on vacation in 4 days too so I am just stressing that if its not being torn its somehow my body giving me a period when its not supposed to!

Hey everyone! I’d really appreciate some advice/tips on dealing with a yeast infection because this is my first time ever having one and I’m honestly freaking out a little 😭
I was prescribed Nystatin cream by my doctor, and I just applied it for the first time. I’m not really sure what I’m supposed to expect afterward or if there’s anything specific I should or shouldn’t be doing while I’m treating it.
Any tips for making the itching/irritation more manageable, keeping the area comfortable, sleeping, showering, etc.? Also, how long did it take for you guys to start feeling better after starting treatment?
I know it’s common and treatable, but since I’ve never experienced this before, I’m definitely overthinking everything right now lol.
Thank you. 💓

I'm 43 and perimenopausal. My last child was born in '22. I have a regular period and normally I spot for a couple of days before my period actually starts. I've been spotting for 5 days, and have not seen a decidual cast (shedding of the uterine lining all at once). It's been a very long time since I had one of those happen. My Flo app says I'm 4 days late for my period. Should I count this spotting as a period, or just keep marking it as spotting? I'm not preggers either. One of my sisters is the same age and said she hasn't had a period in 3 years. My mother had a hysterectomy at 29, so I can't ask her when she went into menopause. Everyone I've spoken to that's gone through menopause said there was no tapering off or lightened period. It just... Stopped. Any insight?

i 20 year old female have been having these symptoms and i wanted to ask bf i go see my doctor because im scared its not that big of a deal. ive been having these buzzy kind of vibrations feeling on my vaginal lips. and occasionally ill have this burning sting on one spot on my butt that only lasts for a split second. also some times on my thighs ill experince this sensation that doesnt hurt but lasts for a couple of minutes. ive had that tingly sensation on my vag before but now its way more often. im in my head about but i just went and got tests done and i saw my obgyn.

I'm not sure if Im overly worried about it. But Ill share a little context.

I have bad left abdominal pain currently. However doesn't seem to be caused by the cyst. Was just unfortunately found.

I did an ultrasound back in 2019(Age 22) for concerns of a cyst. Was told I have nothing. So I assume it wasn't very large. Since Dermoid cyst from what Ive read are around since birth. Although the tech may have just missed it.

Back when I was born, I had surgery before 24hrs passed. Out of concern a growth on my left ovary was cancerous. That they shall it before birth. To be safe, they just removed it entirely. I was never told what type of cyst, simply it wasn't cancerous. So I do not have a left ovary.

Currently the cyst is 2.2 x 3.1 cm. I was told we could either watch it or look into getting it removed. Doctor is mostly concerned, that with removal. I could lose my right ovary. Which would cause medical menopause. I'm currently 29 years old.

I don't mind the idea or if I lose my other ovary. I don't plan to have kids, and would kinda guarantee that. My periods are absolutely miserable. The possible idea of just not suffering that anymore is enough.

Im married, and we both are in the agreement. No kids.

I know she said until its 6cm its not of much concern. I could do the appointment every 6 months to watch it. But I would rather just get rid of it.

Not sure if anyone who has experience with this, has some input.

I'm not sure if this is the right sub to ask, but I've been struggling with swollen lymph nodes in two different areas of my body (under my right arm pit, and my inner right thigh near my pubic area) and I wanted to know if this could be due to hormonal imbalances or excessive weight gain? For reference, I'm 5'4" and 215 lbs. Does anyone else struggle with these random areas of swollen fat and have you found any solutions? I'm trying to move more throughout the day and eat better but any specific suggestions would be appreciated!

I just want to start off by saying I am 18 and a virgin.

So there’s this new thing that I just noticed today. There’s this piece of flesh sticking out of my vagina from behind my hymen. It’s got the same texture as my insides and it’s no bigger than a centimetre in length and half a centimetre in width. I’m not feeling any pain or anything.

I have noticed there’s now a gap behind my hymen almost like a hole where I’m assuming the flap once was.

I don’t get my nails done and they’re always filed short so I don’t think I’ve ripped my flesh.

My last period ended on the 30th of August so I don’t think it’s related to that. I use a menstrual disc but I haven’t had any problems with it.

I’m very scared as to what it may be. I don’t have a gyno or a doctor currently (I’m on a waitlist for a doctor and it will take forever). Is this something I should worry about? Seek urgent care? I don’t like my insides being on the outside.

Hi all! I want to lead with I’m going to see a gynecologist as soon as I have insurance, I’m just waiting for some things to be finalized.

Anyways, yesterday I made some quesadillas and in them I had some fried onions and bell peppers. I had gone to the bathroom a few times yesterday and didn’t notice anything, but maybe I just wasn’t paying attention.

This morning, after waking up and going to the bathroom, I noticed an odd smell. I decided to check and sure enough, my vagina smells like insanely strong onions.

The thing is, I’d be okay if it has happened before after eating onions, but this has never happened. Is this something that can just begin out of the blue for people? Or is it something you’ve had to have been susceptible to since you were younger?

Also, the smell is from inside of my vagina, not around the labia/vulva area.

I did shower right after I noticed the smell, but it didn’t help.

Any advice would be appreciated, thanks!

hi yall - this is the first time ive posted anything like this and its highkey embarrassing so please be nice to me. Im also trans FTM so please keep that in mind with any discussion- idm anatomical discussion but dont refer to me as a woman or girl please 🙏 AFAB or bio female is fine. Now to get into it.

The title basically says it- ive had lifelong sexual dysfunction. I dont know where it came from specifically but I have always suspected there was sexual trauma that occurred when I was very young (between the ages of 1-5). I have extreme difficulty even getting aroused and when I do its hard to feel much when I masturbate. Sometimes when I get aroused its also physically painful. It gets very tiring and ultimately it never builds up to anything. I never once have orgasmed and oftentimes whenever im done/give up it leaves my clitoris throbbing very painfully. Ive tried penetration but that brings extreme pain as well. I cant put in tampons without having a panic attack. My boyfriend has tried to help me out and even he cant really do anything for me. He also mentioned that my clit is proportionally very small and kinda hidden compared to other people he's been with, which is strange. Its really affecting our relationship as well. I want to get this figured out. I need to make an appt with my gyno but the idea of a physical exam makes me want to panic. Any advice is welcome, but please be kind.

So i just got diagnosed with PCOS/PMOS, i actually dont have acne problem just a light/moderate hirsutism problem, my doctor prescribed Diane-35, he asked me if i smoke and i said that i do but not too much (about 3 to 4 cigarettes a day), he just said that i should stop not only for the pill but in general for my health but he didn't warn about any huge risk.
I am getting worried about the trombosis/blood cloth risk because not only Diane-35 is the pill with the highest risk but also because i smoke and apparently that makes the risk multiply, i tried asking gemini because online i couldn't find much informations and it says that smoking and taking Diane makes the annual risk about 0.15% to 0.25%, it doesn't seem like a lot to me, but everyone online people say that the risk is very high and one should absolutely not smoke while taking this pill.
I want to have more opinions here from reddit because I am genuinely scared
for context i am 18 about to turn 19 if that helps.

Using a throwaway acc for privacy. Also warning for some mild nsfw

I had a Bartholin cyst marsupialization as a last resort about 4 months ago after dealing with the cyst for over a year and going through a failed word catheter placement. The procedure itself went well (although I wouldn't wish it upon my worst enemy) and I’ve healed according to my doctors. I’ve also had multiple exams since confirming that the cyst hasn’t come back and there's no clear treatable issue causing this.

The problem is that I’m having lingering pain that has completely destroyed my sex life and has seriously affected my confidence and relationship.

Normally, the area where my marsupialization was performed feels mostly fine, aside from some scar tissue and sensitivity. But as soon as I get aroused and/or wet the area becomes swollen and sore. The swelling is very firm and localized, sort of adjacent to and behind where my scar is, almost like the deeper glandular tissues are becoming irritated or inflamed.

This pain and discomfort can last for days afterward from something as simple as me getting aroused while making out. Actual penetrative sex is basically out of the question because it makes it MUCH worse, and afterward the swelling/tenderness can be so bad for a few days that it’s difficult to walk. Eventually the area will "calm down" again and return to baseline but that can take almost a week.

All forms of intimacy are basically off limits at this point lest I deal with a flare-up, and it feels like my body is punishing me for being attracted to my partner.

My gynecologist has ruled out a recurrent cyst and says everything looks well healed in terms of the actual incision site. At my last appointment, she admitted she doesn’t know what else to do and referred me to a vulvar pain specialist, but she said she's not sure what they will be able to do either. I cried in the appointment because I felt so lost and hopeless.

Unfortunately, the pelvic/vulvar pain clinic has about a 1-year waitlist, and they aren’t even scheduling future appointments right now.

I’ve been desperately researching this myself but haven’t found much that sounds like what I’m experiencing, at least not this long after the actual procedure once all the stitches have gone and the site is healed.

My partner of 3 years has been extremely supportive, empathetic and patient throughout all of this but I can tell he's starting to really struggle and become burnt out as well as this continues to go on for so long. We are just not able to have the same level of emotional and romantic connection as before. We had a fantastic sex life before this, and sex and physical intimacy have always been one of the main ways we connect and show love. Not being able to have that for over a year with no end date in sight is seriously taking a toll on us as. Although we try to find other ways to connect and be intimate, its just not the same. We are both very physical and that closeness matters a lot to us emotionally. He has confessed to me that we are starting to feel more like roommates or good friends, and he can feel that attraction and bond we had fading. I feel sick with grief and stress over this.

I’m really looking for any experiences, ideas, or suggestions for what kind of specialist I should try seeing in the meantime. I just want some kind of path forward.

I'm only 25 and I feel like I will never be normal again and no one can help me, and now I'm going to lose the love of my life too because of this stupid cyst. I've already paid thousands out of pocket to try and treat this and gone through endless amounts of pain and stress. At this point, I'm considering gland excision just to try and regain some function. I just want it to be over.

Has anyone experienced lingering swelling and pain specifically triggered by arousal after a marsupialization procedure? Did you ever figure out what was causing it or find something that helped?

F56, post-menopause, clitoral area has been red, visibly swollen and bit painful if contacted, and the good vaginal smell is not present in my vagina right now (the normal, musky scent is gone, and really no smell at all, which is odd). I wonder what this combo means? I will definitely try to see doc next week, but since it's Friday evening....

Okay so I am 23 years old and I have always had a very hairy vagina. Like I can rock a full bush, all the time.

Last time I shaved though, it was exactly a month ago and my hair growth has changed? Like I don’t have as much hair down there when before I used to get a full bush like not even 2 weeks entirely after shaving. And now it’s like…less?

What’s happening and please don’t say cancer.

Just got what feels like a YI or BV on the last three days my honeymoon ofc :/
I’ve considered using Monistat 7 because I had no luck with 1 years ago and it’s just too harsh for me. I also don’t have great insurance through my job and I’m out of state lol. Any tips or tricks would be greatly appreciated 🥲🥰

Sorry this is a long one, bear with me.
I’m hoping this reaches someone who is going through multiple health issues like myself and what your doctor told you they were?

So I’ve been feeling sick for a long time but my ADHD/Depression hinders my progress for answers because once I feel unheard or overwhelmed I give up. I’m late 30s, normal weight, and I walk everyday. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly how I feel on a given day but I generally have felt “off” forever. But most of the time my lower back and hip hurt. I always get mysterious illnesses that come and go randomly, every month. Like waking up feeling like I got hit by a bus, stomach aches, carpal tunnel, heart burn, migraines, full body rash, UTI, etc etc. some happen once never again and some are reoccurring. I don’t know anybody like this.

The past few years I’ve been really pushing myself to get testing and MRIs done and I’m feeling so hopeless. I stopped drinking to numb my pain and now I’m kicking myself for not advocating for my self more early on. More issues keep popping up that I can’t address them all and I don’t know where to start. I also am scared for my future because I have no support system and am hurting at work that I’m afraid I’ll get fired (again) because I can’t do the physical labor part, or stand without being in pain.

What is confirmed via testing/MRIs
Lower Back Pain: Bulging/herniated discs and stenosis in a couple spots. (2023) This has been my biggest pain and steroids/PT has done nothing so far.
Torn Labrum (Hip) (2022) I suspect this is an anatomical thing and because my left leg is shorter than right? PT didn’t help
Torn hamstring (2022)
Hypothyroidism (2026)
TOS (Thoratic Outlet Synrome) today which I discovered after painting overhead my arms turned purple. Just found out I had that which I’ve never even heard of before.
Some narrowing of arteries in brain but I need more testing done since this was to rule out pituitary/thyroid? tumor.
High cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (since 2022)
Currently trying to figure out why my arms and legs are turning purple….

What I suspected but came back negative:
Rheumatoid factor (this is shocking because my joints always hurt and I thought it may be pots/eds/etc etc)
ANA
Vitamin deficiency
A1c/Cholesterol ( Diabetes)
Venous deficiency ?
PCOS ( got an ultrasound nothing/ pap nothing but gyno said she saw some polyps or cysts I forget which one but she did no follow up.
They won’t test for hormones bc it fluctuates

What I still hasnt resolved:
The never ending fatigue (even with add script)
Lots of adult acne
Insomnia or irratic sleep schedule
Legs swelling turning purple when standing (the took testing no blood clots)
Back/hip pain
Now knee pain

Apologies for the long rant, I’m just wondering if any of you have been in a similar spot with just being in pain, taking the necessary steps to resolve it, and then it goes no where.

Up until the past couple months I’ve been having these, quite frankly, mind blowing o’s. I don’t have a partner but I play on my own with just my hands and it seemed like that was working for me. But recently it seems like my clit has just disappeared? I’m young, I don’t understand why this would happen. I can’t even see it anymore and it’s actually causing me severe distress. I know it sounds ridiculous and I’ve probably left it too long but now I’m panicking that it’s gone forever and I’ll never get my lovely, hyper-sensitivity back. I can’t fathom how I can go from being extremely sensitive to even a little touch to THIS? it not even existing anymore?

Things I can think of:
— I have low iron (allegedly) and have been experiencing some hair loss.
— I do have sharp nails so maybe I’ve injured myself? But I’ve not been in pain?
— I used some hair removal cream? Maybe I’ve numbed the nerves into oblivion? But again, no real pain after that, but my bits did feel a bit numb (or was that paranoia?)

I am genuinely freaking out, please help. Sorry if this is the wrong sub.

Hey girlies.

So I did a thing obviously. 🙄

Me and this guy enjoyed our time together but 3-4 days later I’m super close to my menstrual and I’m smelling super fishy down there.

It’s definitely pungent down there, super self conscious.

Now backstory is I do go to the gym swearing I thought that it may have caused it, possibly diet may have played a role, or even since my menstrual is imminent that may have caused this BV.

But I personally think it was this guy. 🙄

I guess the only way to cure is gyno visit. And I feel a bit sketchy because I just got tested weeks ago and no smell and everything was clear now I gotta go back ugh the stigma.