Genital Herpes Treatment: Medication, Lifestyle Changes, and More

Genital herpes is a lifelong infection caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 or type 2 (HSV-1 or HSV-2), both of which may be spread through sexual contact. There’s no cure, but antiviral medications can help people manage their symptoms and lower the risk of passing the virus to others.

Not everyone with genital herpes chooses to take medication, but most people who have symptoms can benefit from it. Talk to your doctor to discuss which treatment approach works best for you.

“Herpes can be managed, with a person being able to lead a normal life and without the impact that people are often afraid of,” says H. Hunter Handsfield, MD, a professor emeritus at the University of Washington Center for AIDS and STD in Seattle.

Medication

Three antiviral drugs, all taken by mouth, are used to treat most cases of genital herpes:

• valacyclovir (Valtrex)
• acyclovir (generic)
• famciclovir (generic)

Antiviral drugs do not wipe out the virus completely. It continues to live in your body, so if you stop taking the drugs, you may have more frequent outbreaks or more intense symptoms, and you may be more likely to transmit the virus to others.

Taking Daily Oral Pills to Reduce Herpes Outbreaks

Some people with genital herpes take antiviral medication daily, called suppressive therapy, to have fewer outbreaks. For people who have frequent outbreaks, suppressive therapy reduces them by 70 to 80 percent, and many people taking it report having no outbreaks at all.

Suppressive therapy is also likely to reduce transmission for people who have multiple sex partners.

Lifestyle Changes

The main ways to lower the risk of transmission include:

• Learn to recognize the first warning signs of an outbreak, such as itching or tingling, and avoid having sex immediately.
• Use condoms consistently to reduce the risk of spread.
• Avoid touching the sores. If you do, wash your hands right away to avoid spreading the virus to other parts of your body.
• Avoid kissing and oral sex when you have a cold sore, because HSV-1 can spread from the mouth to the genitals.
• Tell potential partners about your infection before having sex, even though the conversation may be difficult.
• Ask your doctor about taking daily suppressive therapy, which can lower the risk of transmission.

Complementary and Integrative Approaches

However, evidence for these products is limited, and none has been proven as effective as antiviral medication. Talk to your doctor before trying a supplement, since some can cause side effects or interact with other medications.

Mental Health

A genital herpes diagnosis can take an emotional toll, but understanding the condition can help. “Herpes has a tremendous psychosocial overlay. But knowledge about it and understanding about how well it can be managed can reduce that,” says Handsfield.

Your doctor can answer many of your questions. Counseling from a mental health professional or a sexual health clinic, such as Planned Parenthood, can also help. If you have a regular partner, including them in these conversations gives them a chance to learn about herpes and ask their own questions.