Symptoms of Genital Herpes (Men and Women)
The first sign of genital herpes is likely to be an itchy or burning enlargement of the genital skin. Symptoms typically manifest within one to two weeks of contact with an infected individual. As the genital herpes outbreak progresses, ulcers and lesions appear. However, as the symptoms begin to subside, the ulcers transform into scars, which then progressively disappear. [2]
During the early phases of genital herpes, the following symptoms are typical:
Sensation of itching or heat in the genital region.
In the early phases of an outbreak of genital herpes, a person may experience a burning, itching, or tingling sensation in the genital region. As the symptoms progress, blisters form, which alleviate the stinging sensation. Instead of tingling, the blisters are now becoming excruciating. Genital herpes varies from person to person. The symptoms may return intermittently for several years. Some individuals experience multiple episodes each year. As time passes, the outbreaks become less frequent over many years. During a recurrence of genital herpes, you may experience lower back, leg, and buttock discomfort just prior to the appearance of sores. However, recurrences are typically less painful than the initial outbreak because the sores resolve faster.
