How To Handle The Shock Of A Herpes Diagnosis, From A Woman Who’s Been There
This article is in partnership with FemiClear.
That moment of finding out you've been diagnosed with genital herpes can feel overwhelming. Aside from the shock of what this means for you physically, the mental toll can also weigh heavily. You may feel down on yourself and worried about the perception others will have of you — but the thing is, your life doesn't have to be turned upside down. These days, there are ways to not only find relief (including over-the-counter products like FemiClear for Genital Herpes Symptoms, which can help ease symptoms alongside your current Rx treatment), but to take back control of your body in the process.
Due to the lack of information and transparency surrounding herpes, misconceptions about the virus have thrived. Namely, that it only happens to a "certain" type of person, isn't treatable, or will disrupt your sex life for good, none of which are true. A number of doctors and advocates have been working for years to fight the stigma surrounding herpes.
"Our job is to break that barrier," says Dr. Jessica Shepherd, MD, an obstetrician-gynecologist. "When we give a diagnosis to someone, they're completely devastated. We let them know that they're not alone and that this is something that can definitely be treated."
Herpes is more common than you think.
A lot more common. In fact, 1 in 6 women between the ages of 14 and 49 in the United States have been diagnosed with genital herpes, according to the CDC — and an additional portion of the population is unaware that they have it. For non-Hispanic black women, herpes is even more prevalent, with about half having the condition. As shocking and lonely as a herpes diagnosis may feel, it's a feeling millions of women know well.
One of those women is Jenelle Marie Pierce, executive director of The STI Project and sex educator, who learned of her diagnosis in her late teens. Prior to contracting the virus, her perception of those with herpes reflected myths often told, especially to young people.
"My viewpoint was that only certain kinds of people contracted it," says Pierce. "All my ideas or perceptions around herpes and people who have herpes was totally stigmatized, all inaccurate of course, not to mention wildly harmful and shaming. I was incredibly ignorant and didn't have a lot of knowledge of how common it is and how all types of people contract it."
Truth is, hundreds of millions of women around the world live with genital herpes, which is largely, but not always, caused by the viral strain known as HSV-2 (short for herpes simplex virus type 2), according to the World Health Organization. Many people are unaware that herpes simplex virus type 1 is what causes cold sores, but even fewer know that it can also be transmitted to the genital area through oral sex. In recent years, the percentage of genital herpes diagnoses that are caused by the HSV-1 virus has increased. "I like to reassure patients that it's the same virus as a cold sore, and we definitely don't walk around treating people any differently when they have a cold sore," says Dr. Shepherd.
This lack of openness surrounding herpes can make the experience exponentially worse for those who contract it. "Everyone tells me their stories now," says Jenelle Marie Pierce. "It's something that I have to keep to myself when they're sharing something very personal and intimate about themselves, but I wish everyone knew how common this is and how it impacts all different types of people, all types of behavioral and sexuality styles and identities."
Treatment is easier than we’re led to believe.
Choosing to seek treatment for herpes is a major step in managing your symptoms. Your doctor will likely prescribe an antiviral medication, which can be helpful in reducing the length of your outbreaks as well as their frequency.
Still, even a few days of dealing with the discomfort of an outbreak feels like forever. New over-the-counter product, FemiClear for Genital Herpes Symptoms, offers an all-natural and organic treatment that works hand in hand with your prescription to help provide fast relief for herpes. When used in addition to antiviral treatment, FemiClear has been reported to result in less severe outbreaks, reducing itching, pain, and burning symptoms in 90% of women. FemiClear killed over 99.9% of the herpes simplex I and II viruses during an in vitro laboratory testing. If you're looking for a proven product, FemiClear can be found at your local CVS in the personal intimacy aisle (or on CVS.com, Target.com, and Amazon.com), so it's easy to get when you need it most. You can take it at the first sign of an outbreak and throughout your outbreak to help manage symptoms.
It’s all about embracing self-care.
While it may be daunting, it helps to look at the treatment process as an act of self-love. "I think the most important thing is to be gracious with yourself," says Pierce. "And to know that whatever the misconceptions you have around herpes and what this means for your dating and sex life is likely all incorrect. It's all a product of stigma and a lack of information and comprehensive education across the board."
Along with using medication and treatment products like FemiClear, managing herpes begins with tuning in to your body. "I usually tell people when they go for their annual exam just to get a screening," says Dr. Shepherd.
"It's just a barometer of your health. You're the protector of your pelvis and you really should be aware of what's going on at all times."
FemiClear
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ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Megan Thee Stallion Shares Her Transformative Approach To Health And Wellness
Megan Thee Stallion is back and better than ever — both physically and mentally.
ForWomen’s Health May/June 2024 cover, the 29-year-old rapper bared all, opening up about her healing journey following the aftermath of the July 2020 shooting incident by rapper Tory Lanez.
“A lot of people didn’t treat me like I was human for a long time,” she told the publication. “I feel like everybody was always used to me being the fun and happy party girl. I watched people build me up, tear me down, and be confused about their expectations of me.”
She continued, “As a Black woman, as a darker Black woman, I also feel like people expect me to take the punches, take the beating, take the lashings, and handle it with grace. But I’m human.”
While the “Savage” artist exudes confidence through her stage presence and boisterous lyrics, behind the scenes, Megan was experiencing a silent battle with her mental health. “Before I went onstage, I would be crying half the time because I didn’t want to [perform], but I also didn’t want to upset my fans,” she says.
With pressures from the outside world piling up, Megan experienced “dark times,” that caused her to isolate from the public eye.
“I didn’t want to get [out] from under the covers,” she recalls. “I stayed in my room. I would not turn the lights on. I had blackout curtains. I didn’t want to see the sun. I knew I wasn’t myself. It took me a while to acknowledge that I was depressed. But once I started talking to a therapist, I was able to be truthful with myself.”
The “Wanna Be” rapper also details her current workout slip and diet that work hand in hand, giving her the mental clarity and stamina to perform at her highest level. For four to five days a week, Megan is locked in with one of her two trainers, Emory “Joc” Bernard and Tim Boutte, doing a variety of workouts like Pilates, running up and down sand hills at the beach, or hitting the StairMaster or elliptical for upwards of 40 minutes.
Best known for her “Megan knees,” leg day is a must — with hip thrusts, goblet squats, leg extensions, and “stallion kicks,” being included in her circuits.
With a combination of therapy, stepping away from imbalanced relationships, and daily movement, the Houston Hottie has since been able to reconnect with herself on a deeper level; putting her happiness before the opinions of others. “Working on myself made me get into working out because I needed to focus my energy somewhere else,” she shares. “I used working out to escape and to get happy.”
“I’m in a space where I feel good mentally, so I want to look as good as I feel.”
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