Genital herpes in women is generally brought on by the same herpes virus, specifically herpes simplex virus or HSV, as that of genital herpes in men. The symptoms of the viral infection are in most ways similar for both men and women; but there are also gender-specific symptoms that you must be aware of in order to find the most appropriate genital herpes treatment.
Women are at Higher Risk
Studies confirm that women are at a higher risk to be infected with the herpes virus than men. Since the disease is sexually transmitted, what this means is that women are more prone to get it from an infected partner than men are from women who are infected with the virus.
Genital herpes in women is more prevalent because of the hormonal changes that occur during their menstrual period. These changes, that affect the normal functions of the immune system, make it easy for the herpes simplex virus to penetrate a woman’s body and multiply.
How The Symptoms May Differ
Both men and women may exhibit similar symptoms of the disease such as blisters, sores, and rashes in the genital area, symptoms that are similar to flu and the basic symptoms of pain and itch especially when urinating.
Unlike men, genital herpes in women is more intense and painful especially during the first outbreak. The physical manifestation of the herpes virus can also be found not only the external genital area but can also be hidden inside a woman’s body specifically in the inside of her vagina, cervix, and or urethra.
Another notable difference is that the duration of genital herpes in women is longer than men. It can lasts for about three (3) weeks where during this time the herpes viral infection is at its most contagious.
Perhaps, what women should be guarding against is the severity of complications that genital herpes can bring to their health. Complications can be severe and may lead to life threatening and deadly diseases such as meningitis, as well as various types of cancer including but not limited to cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers.
Protection and Prevention
Especially when one’s sexual life is active and considering the higher risk of genital herpes in women is, a woman should make it a point to protect herself from the virus and prevent the occurrence of an outbreak.
Ideally, one should refrain from having sex. It also helps to stick to one partner who is clean and free from the herpes virus. There are laboratory tests that both men and women can subject themselves to in order to make sure that they are not infected with herpes.
A woman can also increase her protection through natural means such as strengthening one’s immune system. The basic way to do it and often the most effective when it comes to delivering results is to choose food that can provide the body with all the nutrients it needs. These nutrients, like lysine which can only be found in food, can shield the body from and fight against viral infection such as genital herpes in women.