Female genital sores are bumps around the vagina, vulva, and anus that might be itchy.
Other causes can include irritation from shaving, ingrown hairs,hemorrhoids, oryeast infections.
There are two types of HSV that can cause genital herpes: HSV-1 and HSV-2.
HSV-1 is more common in oral herpes (cold sores or fever blisters).
HSV-2 is more common in genital herpes.
HPV strains, such as HPV 6 and 11, also cause genital sores.
This article discusses what you should probably know about female genital sores.
Verywell / Julie Bang
How Common Are Female Genital Sores?
Approximately 11.9% of people ages 14 to 49 have the HSV-2 infection.
Approximately 79 million people in the United States have HPV.
There are other rare causes, such asdonovanosis.
The blisters will break open, release fluid, and crust over.
This is when the infection is most contagious.
It may be painful when urinating during outbreaks.
Secondary outbreaks don’t usually include flu-like symptoms, but blisters are likely to reappear.
Diagnosis
There are a few ways to diagnose HSV and HPV.
Antiviral medications used for genital herpes include Zovirax (acyclovir) and Valtrex (valacyclovir).
These therapies may reduce transmission to partners.
However, medications applied to the skin or surgical removal are available if the appearance is bothersome.
HSV affects approximately 14,000 infants every year.
The infection isn’t transmitted through breast milk, so breastfeeding is still an option.
Yet it, too, has risks when breast lesions are present.
People with breast lesions should not breastfeed or use milk from an affected breast.
The other breast can be used if all lesions are carefully covered.
Having genital sores from an STI also puts you at higher risk of thehuman immunodeficiency virus(HIV).
HIV can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) if left untreated.
Complications from high-risk HPV strains include cancers of the anus, vulva, vagina, and cervix.
Syphilis and Pregnancy
Syphilis, another jot down of STI, also causes female genital sores.
A pregnant person can pass the infection to the fetus (called congenital syphilis).
This is a serious and potentially fatal infection.
Questions remain about how long a vaccine to prevent herpes will last and if people will need booster shots.
At present, genital sores resulting from herpes or HPV are treatable but not curable.
If you have any concerns about your sexual wellness, contact your healthcare provider.
They can offer prevention strategies and treatment options.
Counseling might also be beneficial, as any diagnosis can be overwhelming to deal with alone.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital herpes.
Cleveland Clinic.HPV (human papilloma virus).
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Mount Sinai.Genital herpes - self care.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Herpes Simplex Virus and Breastfeeding.
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About syphilis.
