[Question #6740] Opinion
64 months ago
|
Hi,
21F
The last time I had sex was in september (unprotected), about a month later I notice bleeding after pooping. I did not think much of it at the time because this would happen every so often and would go away the next time I used the restroom. However this time it persisted for months, after one time is was extremely painful to go and so much blood came after wiping. I'm not sure why but I finally decided it was time to take a look (even though it had been going on for months) and I didn't notice anything suspicious besides an anal skin tag which I believe is either from a fissure or hemorrhoids. Since that time I became extremely anxious about it all and could not stop googling. I believe I have had an anal fissure all this time, I went to see a gastro doc about it and got a colonoscopy done. Anyways pain is still there on and off and I think its just a fissure reopening and closing. For the past few weeks I have been so anxious about herpes I non stop take pictures to see if there is anything new. So for about a week I was having tingling in right below my butt almost near my groin area. Then about a week after the tingling stops, one day I noticed a few red little wounds, I never noticed any blisters before just the small red wounds. I don't know if its from using the restroom and wiping a lot because I think the anxiety has caused me to use the restroom more than usual. However those dots were on my anus not around it and I could only really see them when straining. The dots/wounds disappeared about 2 days later and I had a colonoscopy 3 days later with my doctor finding nothing wrong. I would not say they were really ulcers but my skin was definitely broken in those spots. I was just wondering what you think of all this? I plan on getting a blood test either this week or next week, just wanted to hear input as the anxiety is driving me crazy right now. Also I know it doesn't really matter but I thought I might add that ive never done anal. Thank you!
![]() |
Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
64 months ago
|
This doesn't really sound herpetic to me but whenever the skin is described as "broken down" and "wounds", herpes does come to mind a little bit. It's fine that you are getting a blood antibody test since you are noting skin changes that concern you. However, I think the bleeding with bowel movements is likely unrelated to the volume you are describing of blood. Did the doctor say anything about hemorrhoids? Did they see a fissure? If you are worried that you are bleeding due to herpes, that I think we rule out.
Terri
---
63 months ago
|
Hi Terri!
Just wanted to update, I went in for a blood test at Planned Parenthood on Wednesday, just got results now, negative for both HSV1 and 2! As for my colonoscopy my doctor did find small hemorrhoids so I'm not sure if that was related to the little scabs or wounds I saw. Also I wanted to let you know how much misinformation they gave me at my visit. They tried to convince me not to do the test which I knew would happen. But they also said if it is positive it just means I've been exposed to the virus, but I don't actually have it. I am glad I did my reading these last few months and got educated about it now for the future. Anyways, thank you for all the help, I learned a lot from your forums.
63 months ago
|
Also just want to add, do you think the statistics are true regarding herpes? I have noticed that the ones I have been looking at were from 2016 I believe. Maybe it's declining? I'm not sure, just was curious on your opinion about it.
![]() |
Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
63 months ago
|
I'm not sure what statistics you are referring to - can you clarify, please? You certainly did get some wild misinformation. I find so often that patients know more about herpes than their providers. So sad! I do think the bleeding could be due to the hemorrhoid, yes.
Terri
---
63 months ago
|
I believe I was looking at statistics from the CDC where they say 15.9% are thought to have it. Sorry just one last question! How accurate is the blood test I took? It was a igg blood test done about 6 months out from my last possible exposure. Can I rely on the results or do they generate a fair amount of false negatives?
![]() |
Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
63 months ago
|
Oh, yes, that is correct.
The blood test that you had done (IgG), picks up 70% of HSV 1 infections (misses 30%) and picks up 92% of HSV 2 (misses 8%), compared to the gold standard herpes western blot.
Terri
---