What Are Your Most Important Herpes Triggers
By Nathalie Foy | February 6, 2009
As you may know, I am actively working on the second edition of Herpes Wise and I want to add a specific chapter about herpes triggers.
Knowing your herpes triggers can really change your life and help you abort herpes infections easily so I believe that we can all benefit from that information.
Triggers can be anything from foods to other conditions, emotions, environment and so forth.
If you are willing to do so, please also tell us if these triggers concern oral or genital herpes, HSV-1 or HSV-2.
Let me give you some of my biggest herpes triggers as an example : chocolate, long-term stress, PMS and menstruation, Yeast infection….
Maybe you never thought of what was triggering herpes to return. If not, it is time you become aware of that. From knowing your triggers you can assume the probability of you getting another outbreak soon and adapt your behavior accordingly.
This is a very simple but very BIG secret I give you here so I do hope you will thank me by giving us your herpes triggers.
Please remember that you can remain anonymous so there is really no reason for you not to.
A quick update : Congratulations! You are so self aware. Your replies have confirmed my beliefs and I’m so happy that “issues with your partner” and “anger” were brought up. I was not comfortable talking about these but you have given me the confidence I needed. If this is your situation you’re just going to love one of the new chapters of Herpes Wise.
Topics: Talk Herpes with Nathalie Foy | 44 Comments »
August 29th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Ok, so far the bananas seem to be a trigger. Otherwise, general stress, and, fatigue.
Gave up nut butters. Cashew was my fav along w/ bananas. Also wondering about p-nuts, even though they are not really a nut? Is it the Arginine? Any feedback welcome. Thanks
August 28th, 2010 at 2:05 pm
I am convinced that multi-vitamins trigger a genital herpes outbreak in my body. Every time I try to do a muliti-vitamin regimin an outbreak appears about a week later. EVEN when i take Valtrex.
I also eat nuts and whole-grains, which are known outbreak triggers, but they don’t ever seem to trigger my outbreaks -only multi-vitamins.
I’m trying to figure out which component of the multi-vitamin it is but haven’t had any success.
Anyone else have the same experience or is it just me?
August 27th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
My triggers are menstrual cycle and if I get a yeast infection. As soon as I know my period is near and I feel any odd/itchy sensation within the lips of the vagina I immediately double my valtrex intake to 1000mg for 3 days. It helps big time.
August 8th, 2010 at 11:35 am
When I wash my herpes blisters with very hot water,Iget a wonderful sensation.But this has led to erection dysfunction.And I suspect the hot water for this.
February 28th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
After having genital herpes for 20 years with not too many outbreaks, I suddenly starting having continual outbreaks at 45. As soon as one ourbreak cleared up, it popped out in another spot. The MD said it was hormonal and gave me Valtrex, which stopped the outbreaks. Then 2 years later I went away for the weekend and forgot my Valtrex for 3 days. It came back, and never left despite using the Valtrex. I had it for 4 months straight. I started doing research and read the foods high in arginine should be avoided in people with herpes. One of those foods was soy. For 5 years I was taking Soy Isolate powder for its health benefits. As soon as I discontinued it, my herpes went away and I haven’t had an outbreak in 7 months!
Nathalie says: Thank you Victory for this testimonial. I am not surprised. Soy is really overrated and can cause hormonal issues if used regularly. Doctor Mercola has written about it extensively at
http://www.mercola.com/article/soy/index.htm
February 11th, 2010 at 8:26 am
My triggers are right before my period. Blisters never or rarely form, but its not too terrible. Another trigger is lack of sleep. If i definitely don’t get enough sleep (like during finals or something like that) the pain becomes unbearable, still no blisters.
January 2nd, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Nuts. Especially walnuts. I avoid all nuts.
Sun exposure….I’m ok if I stand in a pool keeping my lower half cool. Tanning beds if I exceed 8 min.
Weak immune system, if I’m sick, etc.
I use to have very heavy periods that lasted for 3 wks, this use to be a trigger…..I had an ablation, I still have severe pms but not as much bleeding….and it is no longer a trigger.
I also had brazilian laser done to reduce the friction in the area, I think it helped too.
I have hsv2…for 22 years. I use to have painful long monthly outbreaks. I just hit 3 yrs without an outbreak!
December 1st, 2009 at 5:43 am
my question is how do i fight this i got acyclovir i am drinking and more coming aut what shuld i do
October 12th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Stress – like when I feel those waves of stress come over me, I’m guaranteed an ob. No sleep, chocolate, too much coffee/sugar, sun, and NUTS & seeds (all kinds!)
May 13th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Sex & all physical strain on the genital area, coffee, stress, lack of sleep, heat, poor hygiene, alcohol, tobacco and other intoxicating (il)legal substances
April 14th, 2009 at 8:34 am
I have many of the triggers already mentioned; but also showers, especially if they are too warm and if the water is not filtered; and baths, unless I put certain bath items in the bath water that somehow change the water and don’t cause breakouts, like certain kinds of bubble bath, or epsom salts, or baking soda, or vitamin C powder.
April 1st, 2009 at 12:19 am
I think (unfortunatelly) that kisses are my biggest trigger. ???!!!…
March 31st, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I’m fortunate that since my initial, absolutely awful outbreak two years ago (3 weeks of weeping lesions, high-grade fever, intense nausea), I’ve only had two full-blown outbreaks since then. My triggers are generally a combination of the ones listed by others… my period, alcohol binges, friction at the initial infection site, massive stress, poor diet. I’m on a regimen of immune boosting supplements, and it’s generally after I’ve gone so long without an outbreak and forget to take all or some of my vitamins (C, D, Zinc, L-Lysine, monolaurine, Probiotic Acidophilus) on a daily basis that a combination of my triggers can result in an outbreak.
February 25th, 2009 at 4:51 am
I was diagnosed with hsv2 last year and I’m still not sure if I ever had a break out however, reading some of the comments here I may need to change my life style and habbits before I start to have them (I don’t exercise enough, I love chocolate and nuts, and I offen engage in rough sexual activity)
February 19th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
I would say the bigges trigger is stress. I am a very emotional person and get frustrated and upset easly. Also chocolate and nuts (two things i love).
February 17th, 2009 at 2:47 am
My triggers seem be to be mostly stress and nuts. I also find that corn, chocolate, colds and wheat seem to be big ones as well.
PS love your website.
Thanks
Shari
February 16th, 2009 at 1:56 am
Eating too much chocolate or sugary foods and lack of sleep and being overtired are triggers. Feeling very stressed is not good either.
February 14th, 2009 at 6:35 am
-sex
-caffeine
-stress
-chocolate
February 14th, 2009 at 5:31 am
Hi,
to answer ur question, will be,to fine a cure this deadly disease/virus.
Is there any medication(s)?
February 13th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Worst triggers:
-ice cream
-sour cream
-most cheese
-cream based soups, desserts, sauces
-cheap chocolate (ok over 75% cocoa)
-coconut, coconut milk based dishes
-sudden extreme stress, ie a shock
February 13th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
I find my period to be my worst trigger. i get it usually once a month. Also, when I am sick either with the flu or something like that.
February 13th, 2009 at 2:20 am
starts the first day of my menstrual cycle and lasts until my cycle is completed.
February 13th, 2009 at 1:29 am
(HSV2) I think my triggers are related to my menstrual cycle too. I also have the itching of my vagina that causes breakouts and alcohol!
February 13th, 2009 at 12:08 am
Strong emotions like anger and grief are guaranteed to precipitate an out break of genital herpes for me. Am 57 and had since 20. They haven’t gone away or lessened in that time. Stress and sugar don’t help.
February 12th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Biggest triggers for me are PMS and the hormonal fluctuations approaching my period. Now I am approaching menopause outbreaks get rarer and rarer as my periods dwindle and are spaced farther apart.
Sunlight used to be a big trigger.
Foods high in arginine can be problematic as well. I stay away from nuts and chocolate and caffine 99.9 % of the time. I have found this to be really helpful in keeping outbreaks so minimal that I rarely think about the virus.
I am also on a herbal treatment protacol that I have been religious about.
Relief from herpes suffering has been a many fold process!
February 12th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
my experience is PMS but the weird things is i always have a outbreak when i`m actually almost finished with my pms and stress.
February 12th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
I agree, lack of proper rest including sleep. Stress due to work, relationship, and big time menstrual cycle. Also, heavy combination of smoking and drinking. However, after increasing my exercise habits and modifying my diet, they have been less b/outs (2) within a 6 month period, and with less intensity and only lasting a few days vs 10-14 days.
February 12th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
Hormonal trigger related to menstrual cycle. I am 47 and peri menopausal. I had never had an outbreak in my life until a little over a year ago and was shocked to discover I had herpes being that I had been in two committed relationships lasting 25 years combined. I believe my so called change of life is the main trigger, then coupled with stress over the outbreak. When I feel the psysiatic nerve become irritated, I know I will have an outbreak within a few days and stress over it despite the fact I have changed my diet, added supplements, etc.
February 12th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
There is only one trigger: heat, and only one reason to the breakout: immunity.
Heat is provided by many factors, as sun, fever, closes, food, drugs and illness.
The immunity is afected by emotional condition, food and carency of vitamins A, D, E and C.
February 12th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Stress,Stress,Stress. and too much wild sexual activity.
February 12th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
i think my triggers are diet and stressfull relationships and poor sleep
February 12th, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Hot weather and excessive heat usually triggers an outbreak for me, tight fitting leg elastic in underwear, long lasting sexual activity that causes me to be sore and stress from everyday life challenges.
February 12th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
pepper food and relationship stress
February 12th, 2009 at 10:03 am
My triggers
are:
Relationship stress/fighting
Business Travel
Not enough sleep/poor diet
February 12th, 2009 at 9:06 am
Masturbation, particularly if I don´t wash at once after ejacuation
February 12th, 2009 at 8:29 am
nuts and sunflower and pumpkin seeds
February 12th, 2009 at 7:16 am
Coffee, nuts, stress, chocolate, etc.
February 12th, 2009 at 7:07 am
my biggest one is my monthly period. the outbreak can start before or after the period starts.
the second one is lack of sleep. if i pull an all-nighter, i’m almost guaranteed of an outbreak the next day.
using cheap, rough toilet paper over and over can irritate the area, triggering an outbreak.
February 12th, 2009 at 6:39 am
My biggest trigger is itching of my vagina and then the water pimples. What I’ve discovered though that the outbreaks are not as severe as before. it might last for a few days and then it starts to dry up. I have an ointment that I rub on it. Sometimes I’m embarrassed to go to the doctor and seek medication. However, I have accepted what has happened to me and I am dealing with it because I believe that God is healing me and that’s what make the outbreaks so minimal, even thou it comes out every month.
February 12th, 2009 at 3:45 am
hsv2 (genital): wearing tight pants that constrict at the waistband will cause an outbreak where the nerves were compressed, deep bodywork such as trigger point therapy, too-hot shower water that briefly hits the area and creates a nerve reaction. outbreaks almost always due to some external physical cause and generally timed with 1st day of menstruation (more susceptible then)
February 12th, 2009 at 2:17 am
Stress and lack of sleep. Lately the break-outs have been oral, even though I’ve had very few in the past.
February 12th, 2009 at 1:03 am
My biggest are stress, and non exercise. Also if I go to many weeks with not enough sleep combined with strees it seems to trigger.
February 11th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Menstrual cycle, normally always a few days before my period
February 11th, 2009 at 6:54 pm
excess gym workouts, due to rubbing from benches of rowing macine