[Question #7095] Vaginal Tear

8 months ago

Hello,Yesterday I noticed a small superficial tear at the end of my labia minora (the end of the lip furthest away from vaginal hole.) It is about 4mm long and 1mm wide and 3mm wide when stretched open. No other marks, no blistering, crusting, ulceration, oozing. Just a deeper pink line. The past maybe 2-3wks I noticed my labia minora felt more dry, when I shower and go to wash myself and spread the labia apart it has a slightly painful pulling feeling in the spot I now see the tear. Since I’ve had this feeling, I have been examining that spot frequently have seen nothing until the tear yesterday. I started taking Yasmin birth control pills one month ago and am thinking it’s caused vaginal dryness and with the pulling/examining has cause the tear. The tear is very superficial and looks like it would be gone in a day or 2 if I left it alone and stopped pulling at it. I haven’t had sex in 7yrs and also self examine myself every few weeks for past 6yrs and never noticed anything. Here is my sexual history:-7yrs ago- one time sex with ex bf (he has no known history of genital herpes)-9yrs ago- sex with ex who I was in 3yr relationshipwith (he has no known history of genital herpes)-16-19yrs ago- had 7 partners, all one time occurrences and usually unprotected. Very stupid and I was young.So I was wondering if you think this could possibly be genital herpes and if I could do see the Dr for an exam or have a herpes blood test?I have been tested for all STDS recently but it didn’t include herpes. To be honest this is a major phobia of mine and I am terrified to have the blood test done bc I don’t think I could handle a positive or false positive result. I also am terrified to go to the Dr to have her not know or mis diagnose me,Bc mentally that would mess me up. I could only get in earliest Mon morning and would a swab even detect herpes by then?I know you are the best Dr to ask so I was wanting your opinion, do you think it’s safe to say this is a tear from dryness and pulling and I do not need to see a Dr for an exam or testing?

8 months ago

I should also add thats its pretty much gone now

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

8 months ago

I believe that I answered this question at westoverheights.com. This does not sound like herpes to me but obviously I cannot be sure. There is a very small risk of a false positive (about 3% of HSV 2 antibody tests result in a false positive in a sexually active population) which we could of course clarify with the western blot. But if even the possibility is worrisome, then you may wish to skip it. Nothing else you've said worries me that you have herpes, in terms of your history of symptoms, if this is your only symptom. And changes in hormones can certainly cause changes in vaginal tissue, we certainly see that in menopause, for an example. If it returns, please be certain to have it evaluated right away. If you would feel more comfortable about this, you could have it evaluated in person but I think in your other post, you mentioned that it was healed now, is that right?

Terri

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8 months ago

Okay thank you. Yes the other post was from me, I wasn’t sure which site would be faster. It is pretty much gone now, and yes that has been my only symptom and I’ve never had any other symptoms. I feel confident that is was a slight tear from dryness and pulling from self examination. Thank you for your reassurance it’s made me feel much better. If it comes back I will be sure to see a Dr and have it looked at.

Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner

8 months ago

Sounds like the perfect plan. Thanks for coming to the ASHA website for advice.

Terri

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