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The Day I Got Diagnosed with Genital Herpes Was the Worst Day of My Life: Oh Sh*T Anniversary pt.5
It's Friday July 1st and this was the day that changed my everything. This was the day 14 years ago that I got diagnosed with genital herpes. I still have the dress that I was wearing when I was diagnosed with herpes so I thought I'd be fun to try it on.
If you can remember I had gone for my annual physical on Tuesday, so I was patiently awaiting my results. I was thinking that if I don't get a phone call by 3:00 then I'll have to call the doctors because otherwise it's a holiday weekend w…
What Life with Herpes Looks like for 14 Years - Oh Sh*T Anniversary Pt.5
In case you're just tuning in and haven't been following along this weeks series, let me bring you up to date. This is my "oh shit anniversary", aka the week I got diagnosed with genital herpes. So I'm bringing you along for the emotional ride and sharing what my diagnosis was like.
At this point in the week I still had not received my diagnosis and there was still so much up in the air. I remember feeling so unsettled and was in limbo wondering if I had herpes and if it was going to change…
What Doctor Said when I Went for My Physical: Oh Sh*T Anniversary pt.3
In case you missed it, we're in the middle of the Oh Shit Anniversary. It was 14 years ago I was diagnosed with herpes.
Now it's Tuesday and I know something is wrong. This is the same day as it was eleven years ago. By now the blisters had fully shown up and I was in unbelievable pain. I felt so sick and could not imagine what was going on. Today was supposed to be just a regular physical but instead it turned into the day to go to the doctors and get a resolution.
I had totally mixed …
Something Was Wrong but I Didn't Think It Was Herpes - Oh Sh*T Anniversary Pt.1
This week we're going to do something different.
14 years ago I was diagnosed with genital herpes.
I've shared things here and there but I've never walked you through exactly what I did and how I felt. Share what I can remember and the good, the bad and the ugly. My intention for this week is to bring awareness to herpes: your life moves on and you forget how big of a deal it is. Talk you through the exact week 14 years ago, build awareness and hand hold you through your diagnosis. Recon…
When You Have Constant Outbreaks: Here’s What We Suggest
So often people will reach out to us, asking about constant outbreaks. Outbreaks that come every month. Sometimes one outbreak hardly heals, and another one is coming. It's not only annoying to be constantly having outbreaks, but it's mentally draining. Add the fact that we want to be intimate with our partners, and not having to worry every day.
So, finally we have decided to just put it all together. Here is the things we will tell you if you ask us. (Or we will just send you a link to this b…
I Didn’t Tell Them I Have Herpes—Now What?
It’s a situation no one hopes to be in, but it happens more than we talk about. You’ve already been intimate with someone, and now you're carrying the weight of not disclosing your herpes status before that moment. Whether it was fear, shame, denial, or simply not knowing how to bring it up—you’re now facing the decision: do I tell them?
In one of our recent support group calls, this very topic came up. The truth is, you’re not alone. So many people are navigating dating with herpes and facing …
What's going on in our SS: Group for people with herpes
Real Stories, Real Support—No Judgment, Just Healing
Okay, today I want to do something different. I want to give you a real, unfiltered look inside our Secret Society group. I talk about it a lot—because honestly? This is where the healing begins.
And why is that?
Because of our support group calls.
If you’ve ever been in that place where you needed to get something off your chest, you know how freeing it feels just to say it out loud. I’m not even talking about fixing the problem right t…
Since When Is a Virus Reason for Mockery?
Why Is a Virus Something to Be Ashamed Of?
Herpes is one of the most stigmatized viruses in the world, yet it’s also one of the most common. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 67% of the global population under 50 has HSV-1 (oral herpes), and roughly 13% have HSV-2 (genital herpes). That’s billions of people living with herpes—so why does it still carry so much shame?
The stigma around herpes is rooted in misinformation, fear, and outdated societal attitudes. But let’s be…
Big Pharma & Herpes
How Drug Marketing Fueled Stigma (And What’s Changing Now)
The Profit Behind the Panic
For decades, pharmaceutical companies capitalized on herpes stigma to sell treatments—often exaggerating risks while downplaying how manageable HSV really is. This is the untold story of how drug marketing shaped public perception, and why a new wave of honest education is finally pushing back.
The 1980s: Creating a "Disease" to Sell a Drug
Acyclovir’s Blockbuster Launch (1982)
When the first antiviral …
Painful Urination Because of Herpes
Why Herpes Can Make Peeing Painful
Painful urination (dysuria) during a genital herpes outbreak occurs because:
- Ulcers/sores near the urethra react to urine’s acidity
- Inflammation irritates sensitive nerve endings
- Secondary irritation from frequent wiping or soap exposure
Note: If pain persists after sores heal, see a doctor to rule out UTIs or other conditions.
Immediate Relief Methods
1. Hydration + Urine Dilution
- Drink extra water – Diluted urine burns less
- Avoid caffeine/alc…