Telling your partner
There are many reasons why you should tell potential partners that you have genital herpes before sleeping with them.
- Telling your partner up front may help to form an honest and trusting relationship. Once discussed, it’s easier for you and your partner to work towards reducing the potential for transmission.
- Once you’ve made the decision to tell your partner, you should think about your own experience and how you would have preferred to learn about genital herpes. Use this knowledge to work out how to raise the topic with your partner.
If you want the relationship to work and fear is preventing you from having an open discussion, you might find yourself juggling to protect both your relationship and your partner’s sexual health. By doing this, you may avoid sexual contact whenever you suspect a symptom. Your partner may not understand why you are avoiding sex and feel rejected. Often the longer you wait, the more complicated and difficult talking can be.
If you’re finding it really hard to discuss genital herpes with your partner, professional help is available.
