herpes talk

Talking About Genital Herpes

Talking to Your Partner About Your Herpes

Telling someone you care about that you have genital herpes can be difficult, and you may be afraid of having the discussion. You may worry that if you are honest with your partner or family about having genital herpes that they will be angry, or they will judge you.

It’s important to remember that genital herpes is a very common disease, and having genital herpes is only a small part of who you are. You shouldn’t feel ashamed or embarrassed about it, and you shouldn’t let someone else make you feel that way. The more comfortable you become with yourself as someone who has genital herpes, the easier it will be for you to talk to others about your condition.

Why Should You Tell Someone?

Some people choose not to tell their partner about their genital herpes. Instead, they abstain from sex during outbreaks and practice safe sex at other times. What’s the harm in this? You’re being responsible by taking steps to protect your partner from getting genital herpes. The problem is most people who don’t tell spend a lot of time worrying that their partner will get herpes or find out some other way. Also, it might be more difficult to talk about the subject the longer you put it off.

Not telling your partner that you are infected with genital herpes can be very damaging to your relationship. Making excuses about not having sex during an outbreak can create distance between you and your partner. Your partner may interpret your excuses as something far more damaging to the relationship than genital herpes.

If your partner contracts genital herpes, they will probably be angry and hurt that you weren’t honest with them in the first place. As difficult as it may seem, being open and honest about your situation may be the best thing for your relationship.

Amy - Teen's Health Expert

By Amy - Teen's Health Expert

Discover the dedicated author behind Teen Health Secrets, an experienced expert committed to providing in-depth knowledge and guidance on various aspects of teen health, ensuring young individuals lead healthy, informed lives.