Latest Articles by Charlotte Grayson, M.D.

Lumps and Bumps Near the Vagina: What Are They?
No one wants to discover a lump or bump down there, but many causes are not serious and easily treated.

Five questions to ask your doctor about suppressive therapy
I see a lot of patients who take suppressive therapy with no clear understanding of why they are taking it, what the goals are of suppressive therapy and most concerning … taking the WRONG dose I also see patients who suffer through multiple terrible ...

You have an STD. Who's to blame?
I can’t count the number of times that a patient was shocked when they were diagnosed with an STD. Many of my patients seem surprised that their sexual partner gave them an STD. Though they won’t admit it, they probably assumed their partner was clea...

Managing Genital Herpes Symptoms and Outbreaks
OK, you’re in the middle of an outbreak, and you’re in pain. How do you manage the uncomfortable and painful symptoms? First, get medical treatment. Antiviral therapy reduces the severity of the symptoms and duration of the symptoms when started earl...

Is Your Herpes Medication Making You Sick?
Herpes medications are generally safe, whether you are taking herpes antiviral medication to treat an outbreak or you’re taking daily suppressive therapy. But like all medications, the herpes antiviral DO have side effects. And you should know the di...

Understanding Herpes Testing
Understanding Herpes Testing The most important fact to know in terms of Herpes testing is that blood testing with an IgG test is the BEST test for diagnosing the disease. When you first see the doctor for a suspicious genital ulcer, your health care ...

Herpes and Your Menstrual Cycle
Bloating, irritable mood, pelvic pain or pressure. All are common signs that your monthly period is coming soon. And for many women, this monthly visitor brings a VERY unwanted guest: genital herpes outbreaks. It may seem like insult to injury, but s...