I should clarify... I mis-diagnosed myself! About 15 years ago my husband (ex now) went to Dr. with severe symptoms.  Health clinic took one look and said Herpes.  He had testing done... but never went back for results.  About a week later I had similar symptoms.... everything fit with having herpes... when I kept breaking out... sometimes monthly... in a rash (lots of small bumps all over the labia... itchy... etc...)  It all fit (other than they would clear up within hours... then reappear.. usually did this for about a week). 

Out of embarrassment, I never brought it up at my yearly exams...not until I was pregnant did I mention it.  Dr. was not concerned unless I had a breakout near delivery... I should emphasize that my husband only had one other very mild rash in the 15 years since his first episode.  Me on the other hand... 12 or more incidents a year! 

A year ago it seemed to be even MORE frequent... so I finally got over embarrassment and discussed with my dr.  She did blood test and culture during outbreak.  Culture was negative but blood test was pos for HSV 1.  Ok... well... there you go right?  Only catch... 60-80% of the adult population will be positive for HSV 1. (classic cold sores... but can occur on genitals).  From the research I did.... HSV 1 re-occurring on the genitals only happens in 1% of the folks with this type.  Ok... well I was EXTREMELY unlucky right?

So the Dr. put my on suppressive therapy.  Acyclovir... 400mg 2x/day.  I broke out within a few days of starting this, but then nothing for 2 months after that.... then a HUGE break of 8 months with nothing!  It just verified in my mind that it was Herpes... otherwise the acyclovir wouldnt have worked.  Well... on August 1st 2009... bumps again!  Kept taking the acyclovir, but this time....the bumps never went away!!! I went almost 3 months with symptoms every day..... I was DESPERATE!!! tried 2 different medications with no change....I considered that maybe because I hit 40... my hormones were wacky..... causing the problem.  Went to new Dr. who took one look at the bumps and said they looked nothing like any herpes he has EVER seen... and he has been doing this for 27 years.   Did another culture (and he swabbed extensively...) and another blood test.   AGAIN.... HSV 1, and no virus found in culture.  I also got an HIV test... since it was strange that I couldnt shake the bumps.... that was a scary few days waiting on results... negative thank goodness!

In the mean time, he gave me some anti-fungal cream and told me to stop acyclovir.... well..... you guessed it.... after one day using the cream the bumps disappeared and didnt return! 

Now I am finding out that "cutaneous yeast infection" is a fungal infection of the skin... not the "traditional" yeast infection that most of us women know about.... in fact, I dont think I have had a vaginal yeast infection in over 10 years..... but it is sounding more and more like the skin version of this might be what I had all these years.....