Experiencing a Vaginal Sore?

If you're a woman, one of the last things you'll want to look down and discover is a vaginal sore. A vaginal sore can be painful, not to mention the fact that it won't exactly do wonders for your sex life. Figuring out where your vaginal sore came from is an essential step toward getting rid of it, so when a vaginal sore pops up that won't go away, seek medical intervention.

What Can Cause a Vaginal Sore?

Ladies, let's get one thing straight: A vaginal sore does not automatically mean that STD testing is in your future. Although vaginal sores can be a symptom of STDs like herpes, this isn’t always the case. In fact, it's easy enough to mistake a vaginal sore for a harmless pimple or mark of irritation. The female genital region is a sensitive one, and it's not unusual for the area to get inflamed from time to time. Even if a vaginal sore starts causing you pain, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's a herpes symptom.

When a Vaginal Sore Requires Herpes Testing

A vaginal sore that doesn't go away easily and appears as part of a group of sores may be a sign of herpes. Vaginal sores produced by the herpes simplex virus tend to blister and may or may not be painful. If a vaginal sore appears weeks or months following unprotected sex, herpes testing should be performed to confirm or rule out infection.

Treating a Vaginal Sore

The treatment for a vaginal sore will depend on what has caused it to surface. If herpes is to blame, then antiviral medication can be used to help clear up the sore and alleviate any other present symptoms. Although there is no cure for genital herpes, preventative treatment can limit the extent to which vaginal sores recur.

Avoiding Vaginal Sores

A good way to prevent vaginal sores is to keep the genital region as clean as possible. Avoid the use of perfumed soaps and products, as those are more likely to cause an allergic reaction that can produce bumps or irritation marks. When it comes to herpes prevention, the only real way to avoid the disease is to either abstain from all forms of sexual activity or limit such activity to a single monogamous partner known to be infection-free.