How Genital Herpes in Women Differs From That of Men

Women are 4 times more likely to get genital herpes than men. As well, 7 out of 10 women (compared with 4 out of 10 men) have flu-like symptoms such as fever, headache, and muscle pain during an initial outbreak.
Why Women Are At a Greater Risk for Getting Genital Herpes
One reason is the way we're made. Our genital area has a greater number of mucosal cells, that is, cells containing body fluids.
Another reason is our menstrual cycle. It is felt that during this cycle the hormone changes affect our immune system. A lower immune system makes it easier for the herpes simplex virus to cause an infection.
Symptoms of Herpes In Women
Women with herpes suffer some of the same symptoms as as men. An herpes outbreak starts with an itching or tingling feeling in the genital area. This is followed by redness of the skin and then the forming of blisters. These blisters are sore when touched and last longer in women than in men.
The First Genital Herpes Outbreak in Women
The first outbreak of genital herpes is the same for both men and women. However, in women this initial outbreak is more painful and lasts longer that later occurring outbreaks.
Women often suffer more severe complications and have these complications at higher rate during this first outbreak.

Women Who Have Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus. Genital Herpes is known as genital herpes simplex 2, while cold sores are considered simplex 1. Genital herpes causes painful blisters to form on the vagina. Genital herpes are a sexually transmitted disease. Genital herpes are contracted through un-protected oral or vaginal intercourse. Genital herpes can also be contracted through anal intercourse. Genital herpes may remain dormant in a woman's body for a month if not longer. Herpes may be dormant in a woman's body and not actually be contracted from anyone but just recently occur in the body.
Having herpes and not knowing it or not disclosing it to partners is unsafe for everyone, because herpes spreads every time one has unprotected sex. Herpes has the chance to spread to others whether they have signs of a herpes outbreak or not. There is no way to completely kill the herpes virus as no one has a cure to it yet. Herpes on the genital areas can be very painful especially for a woman as some herpes infections may be inside the vagina or cervix. Herpes may also appear outside the vaginal area in clusters so large, that the opening to the vaginal canal is almost blocked. Herpes outbreaks may occur more frequently in some women rather than others. In some cases having herpes may be dangerous for some women as they can affect pregnancies.
Women who plan to give birth need to notify their doctors that they have herpes. During birth herpes may spread to the child's body or throat areas. This is because herpes in some women only occurs in the cervix with no symptoms. A gynecologist or doctor who gives a woman a pap smear will be able to tell her if she has contracted herpes.