herpes in our culture
Herpes interviews — you are not alone!
Five herpes interviews from people just like you are here for you to hear. It’s vitally important to get personal stories out in the world to normalize this simple virus. It proves to us that we are not alone and that there are other perspectives on how to see herpes. More >
Incoming search terms for the article:
David Roche: From shame to self-acceptance
David Roche was born with a severe facial disfigurement. Through his life he has moved from intense shame to accepting and loving himself. Where are the parallels between this man who has struggled with facial deformity and people with herpes? We all have shame; and it can show up in a variety of ways. Don’t we get used to hiding our self-perceived imperfections from others in order to get acceptance and love? Sometimes these self-perceived imperfections — this shame — are revealed from behind the dark curtain … then what happens? More >
Incoming search terms for the article:
Do I have to join those herpes dating sites?
Really, why do we feel the need to segregate ourselves to STD-only sites anyway? Who are we to minimize our chances of finding our fish in the sea by limiting our sea to only herpes fish? How presumptuous are we to make the decision for our potential lovers by taking ourselves out of the general dating population? Let them make that decision for themselves about whether or not they want to be with you (just the same decision that you’ll make if you want to be with them, by the way). Let’s not pre-reject ourselves, shall we? More >
Incoming search terms for the article:
Herpes? No kidding, I have herpes, too!
I recently came across a great video with celebrities talking about the stigma associated with mental illness and disease. Interesting how a few of the points made in the film can easily apply to herpes and the stigma it has in our culture. When you watch this film, try mentally substituting “herpes” or “sexual disease” in for when mental disease is mentioned. There are many parallels. More >
Incoming search terms for the article:
Herpes is “not a big deal” (Savage Love podcast)
Audio not working? Listen to the mp3 in your browser or right-click download it by clicking here.)
On the Savage Love podcast, Dan Savage talks talks about sex in a no-holds-barred way. On episode 195, he has a fun time with Dr. Anna Kaminski from Planned Parenthood talking about a number of sex-related topics, a major one they focus on is herpes (starting in the audio at 12:02). It’s a funny and informative discussion ultimately breaking it down to the fact that herpes is simply “not a big deal.” More >
Incoming search terms for the article:
The Herpes Opportunity
NEWS FLASH: There is no reason to create a burden and suffering out of herpes. Dropping the stigma means accepting that our lives are worth living in a big way. When herpes ceases to be a shameful burden, then it becomes an opportunity: an opportunity to change self-defeating beliefs, an opportunity for authentic connection, an opportunity for deeper self-acceptance. This is not about herpes. It’s about who herpes is holding you back from truly being. More >
Incoming search terms for the article:
Different cultures, herpes and sex
I was recently at a herpes support group and one of the clinicians — who was from Brazil — shared something really interesting that launched my mind into new possibilities. Shows how culture has a tremendous impact on how the people view their lives. More >
Incoming search terms for the article:
How many people have herpes?
Short answer: 16.2% of Americans ages 14-49 have genital herpes. (80% of Americans have oral herpes.)
This breaks down to over 25 million Americans between the ages of 14-49 (with 41,000 new cases daily). Find more herpes facts and statistics. More >
Incoming search terms for the article:
Pictures of genital herpes? The psychology of comparison
Want to see the herpes pictures? They are at the bottom of this article. But please, be a doll and read the article first, will you?
There’s a very interesting yet completely natural thing we do as humans: We compare. So, the first thing I did after receiving my positive diagnosis to the herpes test years ago was to rush to my nearest Google search bar and type in “pictures of genital herpes.” I wanted to get an idea of what my future situation was going to look like by looking at other people’s situations. And what I found didn’t get me too excited about my future with herpes. But come to find out … most of my worrying was pointless. More >
Incoming search terms for the article:
Keeping your partner herpes free can be super sexy
A sizzling sexy relationship — even contending with herpes — is in your future. And it all starts with your relationship to what herpes means to your sex life. 1) Is herpes a sex killer or 2) does herpes give a new perspective on trust, caring and support in relationship? Can you feel that difference? That is the first part of seeing it as a relationship strengthener. Sound a bit backwards? You’re gonna love this. More >
