Sore with boyfriend

Dear Dr Cath...
Recently I got really sore - so bad it hurt to sit down for a couple of days. I put it down to having too much sex as I've just started a relationship.

But last night my boyfriend confessed he thinks he's suffering from genital herpes. Could this be the cause of my pains?

Dr Cath says...
It's not uncommon to get sore during the first few passionate weeks of a relationship. Fungal infections such as thrush and cystitis can be caused by lots of sex.

But the severity of your pain suggests you've experienced your first outbreak of genital herpes.

It's caused by the herpes simplex virus - the same virus that causes cold sores. Once you've caught it the virus stays with you but the pain will most likely go away - half of sufferers only ever get one outbreak.

If you're unlucky and symptoms persist, see your GP as antiviral tablets can help.