general information
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection caused by two viral strains – herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).
Statistics from the World Health Organization estimate that more than 4 billion people worldwide are infected with some form of the HSV virus.
In the case of men, in addition to the pain and general discomfort associated with herpes lesions, the manifestations of infection with the herpes virus can dramatically affect the quality of life. To effectively combat the duration and severity of the infection, but also the frequency of relapses, some men will change their lifestyle, diet and even daily grooming routines.
Genital herpes or HSV-2 can be contracted from a sexual partner, most likely when he or she has symptoms. However, the spread of the virus is possible even when an infected person is asymptomatic.
Although there is no conclusive evidence that herpes affects male fertility, there have been studies examining a possible link between genital herpes infection and low sperm count. One study indicated that although HSV infection does not affect sperm motility, it is correlated with a reduced number of sperm in the seminal fluid. The findings suggest that asymptomatic seminal HSV infection affects male fertility by negatively influencing sperm count.
Currently, there is no treatment that can permanently cure genital herpes. Episodes of male genital herpes can be relieved and kept under control with proper treatment, but the disease can recur at any time. Taking an anti-herpes medication daily can reduce the likelihood of sexually transmitting the infection to a partner, but the virus remains contagious.
For healthy men, herpes infection should not cause long-term complications. Recurrent episodes may be common, but treatments designed to combat the effects will have a significant impact on the severity, duration, and frequency of recurrences.
But once the virus is contracted, it will exist in the body for life, during which time the use of medication, combined with lifestyle adjustments as part of a preventive protocol, will perhaps reduce the discomfort associated with genital herpes virus infection.
What is genital herpes?
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection contracted through vaginal, anal and oral sex. Drug treatment and even natural remedies can help, but symptoms may go away on their own, with a high chance of returning frequently.
Genital herpes is a common condition that can cause red bumps around the genital area, including the penis, scrotum and anus. There is no cure for genital herpes, but some antiviral medications can shorten the duration of symptoms and help prevent recurrences.
How does it manifest itself in men?
The signs of male genital herpes present themselves in various ways, depending on the stage of the infection.
The initial stage of genital herpes is usually associated with tingling, irritation or burning in and around the affected area.
The symptoms of male genital herpes usually manifest themselves with feelings of shooting pain, pain or numbness in the lower back, buttocks or thighs. These early signs of herpes in men can often be confused with other conditions, especially back pain. Fever, aches, headaches, and swollen, inflamed lymph nodes are also indicators of the presence of infection in the body.
Anal herpes is also a form of genital herpes. It can be confused with hemorrhoids because it causes similar pain around the anus. Any tenderness or tingling in the genital area should be investigated if there is reason to suspect a possible infection with genital herpes following recent sexual intercourse.
Genital herpes that affects the penis is manifested by the appearance of groups of vesicles that can sometimes also affect the urinary meatus. They can also affect the urethra, causing severe pain during urination. Lesions can also affect the tip or head of the penis, the shaft or trunk, and the surrounding areas. Some men may have only one or two blisters, while others may have numerous lesions that often appear in clusters, in a honeycomb pattern.
Undiagnosed and untreated, male herpes symptoms can be painful and even potentially severe in immunocompromised individuals. Men experiencing a herpes episode should avoid contact with the lesions and/or the fluids they emit as they may cause further irritation and pain or even superinfection. At the same time, rigorous hand hygiene is recommended immediately after touching a herpes lesion.
Signs of herpes in men are not always obvious or detectable. In reality, many men with genital herpes do not even know they have contracted the virus. Due to the nature and structure of the neural pathways along which the virus travels, recurrences of herpes may not occur in the same area of the body as in previous episodes.
Reactivation of the virus may be asymptomatic, so men should be cautious when engaging in sexual activity if they are infected with genital herpes virus.
The symptoms of genital herpes in men can also be difficult to attribute to herpes because they can often overlap with those of other sexually transmitted diseases. It should be considered if irritation or redness begins to develop in the genital areas, and specialist medical consultation is mandatory if symptoms appear or after sexual contact with someone infected with a sexually transmitted disease has been confirmed.
The specialist doctor will request a genital herpes test, which involves taking tissue/fluid from the areas of the lesions, and the accuracy of the results will be determined by the quality of the sample. Herpes symptoms in men must be prevalent for a positive test result, as asymptomatic individuals will not have blisters from which a sample can be taken.
What are the causes of genital herpes?
Genital herpes is very easily transmitted, being considered contagious from the first non-specific symptoms, before the appearance of specific blisters and until the wounds have completely healed. The virus can be transmitted even if there are no symptoms.
Genital herpes can be transmitted by:
- skin-to-skin contact with the infected area (including vaginal, anal and oral sex);
- sexual contact, even if there are no visible lesions or blisters;
- genital contact with people infected with oral herpes;
- transferring the infection on the fingers from someone else to the genitals;
- sharing sex toys with someone who has herpes.
Genital herpes cannot be contracted through objects such as cutlery or glasses, because the virus does not survive for a long time on surfaces.
When is it recommended to consult a specialist?
Health experts recommend a window of no more than 24 hours after the first symptoms appear to see a doctor, especially since prescribed antivirals can be beneficial if taken within 72 hours of the first symptoms of the condition.
To optimize the effects of treatment, it should be started even during the initial phase that often precedes the outbreak of lesions, the symptoms of which may include:
- itching or tingling in the affected area when episodes usually occur;
- pain in the back of the legs or in the buttocks;
- headache and general malaise.
For the accurate diagnosis of genital herpes virus, testing for herpes simplex IgG (HSV) antiviral antibodies is recommended. The analysis is recommended to detect a previous infection with this virus.
What are the treatment options?
Untreated, the symptoms of male genital herpes can become extremely unpleasant, even severely painful, especially in people with a suppressed immune system.
As an initial treatment measure for genital herpes, strict hygiene should be considered for men who are already dealing with the infection, in the sense that the hands should not touch the sores or the fluids they emit, to prevent the virus from migrating to the eyes, mouth or other areas of the body, which could cause further irritation and pain.
Genital herpes can be successfully treated with antiviral drugs, which can suppress male herpes or combat the duration, severity, and frequency of outbreaks by preventing the virus from replicating and infecting more cells. Antiviral medication can reduce the pain and irritation associated with blistering as it progresses to ulceration.
In combination with natural remedies that can be performed at home and are designed to ease the discomfort associated with a herpes episode, medications used effectively can help herpes sores heal faster. There are no differences in the treatment protocol for genital herpes in women and men.
What are the methods of prevention?
To reduce the chances of contracting genital herpes, the following precautions can be taken:
- maintaining a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who does not have herpes;
- the use of condoms during sexual activity (although condoms do not completely stop the spread of herpes, they are effective in reducing the chances of transmission);
- the presence of a preventive protocol to reduce the chances of transmission in the case of a diagnosed partner, because it is possible to contract genital herpes from someone who is on suppressive therapy;
- avoiding oral, vaginal or anal sex if a partner is experiencing an episode of herpes.
Herpes in men can be controlled, not cured. To reduce the duration, severity and frequency of outbreaks, the following preventive measures should be taken:
- dietary restrictions that can prevent the increase in the frequency of herpes recurrences in men. Alcohol, coffee, nuts, popcorn and chocolate can encourage HSV-2;
- exposure to extreme environments that create stress in the body must be reduced. Exposure includes physical or emotional stimuli that increase cortisone production in the body and trigger the nervous response that can encourage reactivation of the virus;
- intense sexual activity can inflame and irritate the skin due to excessive friction. Lubricants and condoms containing nonoxynol-9 can also prove to be a catalyst for skin irritation, which results in triggering the initial stage of genital herpes;
- frequent bathing or showering, as well as using multiple skin care products, could worsen herpes symptoms. Some products, including soaps, or care products that contain chlorine can activate viral replication;
- lifestyle should be considered when trying to restrict the frequency of herpes episodes in men. Lack of sleep and increased stress levels can decrease immune system function, leading to an increased risk of recurrences.
Bibliography
- Rowland, James. “A Guide to Genital Herpes Symptoms in Males.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 7 Feb. 2019, www.healthline.com/health/herpes-symptoms-men
- Kandola, Aaron. “What to Know about Genital Herpes in Men.” Medicalnewstoday.com, Medical News Today, 26 Nov. 2020, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/genital-herpes-in-men
- https://www.facebook.com/verywell. “How Genital Herpes Differs in Men.” Verywell Health, 2022, www.verywellhealth.com/genital-herpes-in-men-5323842
