Way too often we would hear that doctors hand you a prescription for antivirals, rattle off some stats about transmission, and send you on your way. First, let's address the attitude: herpes is not a big deal in a medical community. It's an annoying rash that they most likely see almost every day.
Even more concerning is the fact that doctors will sometimes tell you wrong information. And we get it, again, herpes is not their top priority and in the past, we though certain things that we now know are false (see #3.), but it still gives a bit of a weird feeling, doesn't it?
So, let's talk about some common misconceptions doctors don't tell, or simply don't think about.
1. “Antivirals Aren’t Your Only Option”
What They Say:
“Take this pill and you’ll be fine.”
What They Don’t Tell You:
✔️ Lysine supplements can be just as effective for some people
✔️ Topical antivirals (like tea tree oil in Everyday Soothing Oil) may shorten outbreaks when applied early
✔️ Stress reduction lowers recurrence rates more than meds alone
Try This Instead:
- Use antivirals as needed (not necessarily daily)
- Pair with EVERYDAY SOOTHING OIL (topical lysine) for containing outbreaks
2. “Your ‘Normal’ Discharge Might Not Be Normal”
What They Say:
“Herpes doesn’t affect vaginal health.”
What They Don’t Tell You:
Outbreaks can:
- Temporarily alter pH (leading to yeast/BV)
- Cause subtle irritation mistaken for “just dryness”
Herpes-Safe Fixes:
- Wash with Reviver Soap (pH-balanced, no fragrances)
- Apply Fix It Salve to external sores (manuka honey soothes raw skin)
3. “If You Don’t Have Outbreaks, You Don’t Need to Tell Partners (And You’re Not Contagious)”
What Some People Think:
“No sores = no risk = no need to mention it.”
What They Don’t Tell You:
- 70% of HSV transmissions happen during asymptomatic shedding
- You’re most contagious right before an outbreak (tingling phase)
- Suppressive therapy only reduces risk by ~50% – Disclosure is still essential
Why Honesty Matters:
✔️ Let partners make informed choices about their health
✔️ Builds trust (secrets strain relationships)
✔️ Reduces your anxiety long-term
Try This Instead:
- Use the Tell Your Partner Toolkit for confident disclosure scripts
- Offer to share asymptomatic shedding stats (normalizes the convo)
4. “Your Diet Matters More Than They Think”
What They Say:
“Diet doesn’t affect herpes.”
What They Don’t Tell You:
Foods high in arginine (nuts, chocolate, oats) can fuel outbreaks, while lysine-rich foods (fish, dairy, legumes) help block them.
Easy Swaps:
- Snack on yogurt instead of almonds
- Use lysine supplements during high-stress periods
5. “Outbreaks Can Change Over Time—And That’s Okay”
What They Say:
“You’ll have X outbreaks per year.”
What They Don’t Tell You:
Your herpes experience will evolve due to:
- Hormones (pregnancy, menopause, cycles)
- Immune changes (stress, other illnesses)
- Your self-care routine (better management = fewer/milder outbreaks)
Track Your Triggers:
Use an Outbreak Journal to spot patterns. We would advise you to track the important triggers:
- Periods/ovulation (This is a huge trigger for a lot of women)
- Diet (of course we're talking healthy vs. junk food, but also caffeine, chocolate, foods high in arginine like nuts, alcohol consumption, etc). You can find more about herpes trigger in our Outbreak Remedies e-book.
- Lack of sleep, travel, busy days
- Exercises, especially bike riding, horse riding, or any other sports that can cause a lot of friction
- What you are wearing. Wearing tight or synthetic fibers can cause outbreaks. So, it may not even be your workout, it could just be your skin cannot breath and sweat from your well-meant exercises is causing irritation and eventually, outbreaks!
Again, use some Everyday Wellness Oil to minimize the friction.