Herpes in Women | Risks and Complications

Genital herpes in women will last throughout a lifetime, once contracted. Herpes simplex outbreaks are characterized by painful eruptions of bumps and blisters in and around the genitals. Precursor signals may include tingling or itching. Outbreaks may also include flu like symptoms and swelling of genital membranes. Both men and women can be infected, but pattern and impact of infections is somewhat different.

Transmission of Herpes in Women

Genital herpes is transmitted via close personal and sexual contact. It is transmitted through the exchange of the vesicle fluid from herpes lesion, semen and saliva. The virus itself typically makes its way into your body through mucous membranes or abraded skin whereupon it begins the infection and replication. Statistically, herpes in women infections are much more easily contracted than herpes in men. A woman is evidently as much as four times more likely to contract the disease during sexual contact with an infected partner, than a man is. This is because:
  • A woman's genital region has a much greater area of mucosal cells (moist mucous membranes) than men, offering a more ready route to herpes transmission.
  • Natural immune system reduction may occur during a woman's menstrual cycle that ould open the door to infection.
herpes in womenThe most significant complication for herpes in women, is the risk of passing the disease to a newborn during childbirth.

The First or Primal Outbreak of Genital Herpes in Women

Generally, the primal infection of herpes in women and herpes in men is the most severe and longest lasting than potential recurrent episodes. However, the symptoms are likely to be more severe and longer lasting in women, along with other complications such as bacterial infection. The lesions may appear on the vulva, inside the vagina, in the urethra and on the cervix. They may also on the thighs, buttocks and anus. The lesions may last as much as three weeks for herpes in women, a bit longer than for men. Other symptoms may include rash, burning urination, swollen lymph nodes in the genital region and even temporary meningitis in a small percentage of cases.

Confusing Symptoms of Herpes in Women

Sometimes, actual herpes symptoms in women may be confused with other afflictions. Pelvic pain and vaginal discharge may be mistakenly attributed to yeast infections or pelvic inflammatory disease. Lesions in the urethra may be mistake for a urinary tract infection of bladder problems. Recurrent, as well as primal attacks in some cases, may show be only mildly symptomatic with simple irritation in the genital region. Regardless, it is very important to talk with your doctor if symptoms suggest a possible infection to determine appropriate courses of treatment for herpes in women.

Mac desktop wallpapers

Tagged with:

Filed under: Information about Herpes

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!