Oral Contraceptives May Increase Risk Of Transmitting Virus To Others

It is becoming clear that some methods of birth control, such as the birth control pill, shots, implants or diaphragms will not protect someone from contracting certain STDs and may in fact increase the risk of transmitting the Herpes virus to others.

Studies are showing that certain methods of birth control, including birth control pills, shots, implants, or diaphragms, will not protect someone from contracting certain sexually transmitted diseases. In fact, they may increase the risk of transmitting the virus to others.

Some viruses, including HSV-2 can remain latent in the body for some time. When it becomes active and begins to multiply through a process called "shedding", it becomes transmissible to others, particularly through sexual activity. Twenty to twenty-five percent of all Americans are infected with HSV-2 and can remain asymptomatic. Most people who are infected are not aware of it.

Some studies have shown that the use of oral or injectable hormonal contraceptives is linked with genital tract shedding of HSV-2. People with herpes are most likely to shed the virus asymptomatically for up to three months after the initial outbreak. It is not known exactly how often asymptomatic shedding occurs, though researchers believe it is a major cause of the high numbers of herpes cases. Because hormonal contraceptives are used by millions of women throughout the world, even a modest association with HSV-2 shedding would provide a significant contribution to the growing genital herpes epidemic.

Since there is no true cure for genital herpes, controlling its transmission is the only option. Women who have HSV-2 should consider alternate forms of contraception, such as condoms and spermicides (which kill the herpes virus) as an important part of any prevention strategy. If you use one of these methods, be sure to also use a latex condom or dental dam (used for oral sex) correctly every time you have sex. As an aside, it has been found that people in long-standing marriages where one partner is infected and the other is not, the uninfected partner often stays herpes free.

Herpes 1 and Herpes 2 are viral infections spread through direct skin to skin contact and sexual contact (oral, anal or vaginal). The main difference between Herpes 1 and Herpes 2 is that the Herpes 1 virus is usually found in the mouth or facial area and the Herpes 2 virus is usually found in the genital area.

The initial outbreak of herpes usually occurs within two weeks of the initial infection and can last up to four weeks. In the initial outbreak stage of Herpes 1, an infected person usually will develop cold sores in the facial area. In the initial outbreak stage of Herpes 2, an infected person usually gets sores or blisters in the genital area, and this can be extremely painful as your friend described. The initial outbreak is usually the worst episode.

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Oral Contraceptives May Increase Risk Of Transmitting Virus To Others

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