Herpes Symptoms in Men: Early Signs & Symptoms

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection that’s caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are 2 types of HSV responsible for causing genital herpes: HSV-1 and HSV-2. It is commonly spread through vaginal, anal, and oral sex, and 70% of people are infected with HSV before they are 25.

In 2020, there were 20,530 first genital herpes outbreaks diagnosed in sexual health clinics, which represented 6% of all new STI diagnoses.

Although many people may have been infected with HSV, 1 in 3 people are unaware they have the virus because they have no symptoms. This means it can spread easily. Understanding the symptoms is important, as the signs of herpes in men may differ from those in women.

After the first outbreak, your immune system will build antibodies to help you deal with the virus in the future, so recurrent outbreaks will be less severe and shorter-lived.

Triggers for genital sores in men

Common triggers for recurrent genital herpes outbreaks include a combination of physical and emotional factors, such as:

• stress
• illness
• sun exposure
• skin irritation
• hormonal changes
• surgery
• weakened immune system
• sex

Genital herpes is diagnosed by a healthcare professional, at a GP surgery, sexual health clinic, or via a home test kit. In many cases, a swab of the affected area is taken and used to confirm a genital herpes diagnosis.

Diagnosing genital herpes in men in the UK

Genital herpes is most commonly diagnosed by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swab test in the UK. A PCR test detects HSV (herpes simplex virus) genetic material and is the most accurate diagnostic tool if you have symptoms. One study found that it correctly identified HSV in 82% of people.

It is used in:

1. STI clinics – A sexual health clinic doctor or nurse will examine the affected area and take a swab test using a similar device to a cotton bud, which is then sent away for analysis at a laboratory.
2. GP surgeries – You can make an appointment at your doctor’s surgery to discuss your symptoms. They will usually examine the affected area and use a swab test to confirm the infection.
3. Home test kits – Genital herpes home test kits use swabbing methods to collect a sample from a suspected sore, which is then sent away to a partner lab for analysis. Our doctors then review your results and provide advice about what to do next, including possible treatments and referrals.

Sometimes a blood test is taken if there are signs of herpes in men, or you have no visible symptoms but your partner has herpes. A blood test can detect antibodies, which suggest a past or present infection. The test would not be able to tell you when you were exposed to the virus, or if you are likely to have symptoms in the future. Blood tests are less common than PCR swab tests.

Genital herpes is spread through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected area, particularly during vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It can also be spread by coming into contact with fluids from a sore, by transferring the infection from someone else’s fingers to your genitals or by sharing sex toys.

Here are some of the ways genital herpes is spread:

Genital herpes in men can be treated through a combination of antiviral medications and self-care methods to relieve pain and discomfort. If you keep getting outbreaks, a doctor may prescribe medications to prevent them, called suppressive therapy. Because there is no cure for herpes, managing the symptoms is important to maintain your quality of life during outbreaks.

​​Antiviral medication

Antiviral medication is given to treat an active outbreak because it can shorten it by 1 or 2 days and make the symptoms less painful. At Superdrug Online Doctor, we offer the following genital herpes treatments:

Aciclovir

Aciclovir tablets are antiviral tablets that work by preventing the herpes virus from multiplying and spreading in the body, allowing your immune system to clear it. Research shows that it can reduce viral shedding, the release of new virus particles, by 7 days compared to a placebo.

Valaciclovir

Valaciclovir tablets contain 500mg of valaciclovir. It is known as a prodrug, which means it’s converted into its active form, aciclovir, once inside the body. This makes it stronger than aciclovir. Valaciclovir works by interfering with the virus’s DNA to stop it growing in the body.

Valaciclovir lowers the chance of spreading genital herpes by 75%.

Famciclovir

Famciclovir tablets contain famciclovir, a prodrug that is converted into penciclovir inside the body to block the production of enzymes the herpes virus needs to survive, helping your immune system clear the infection.

Famciclovir has been shown to prevent recurrent genital herpes in 79 to 86% of people compared to 27% given a placebo.

Pain management and symptom relief

There are things you can do to help deal with genital herpes outbreaks yourself, to manage any pain and discomfort.

Suppressive therapy for frequent outbreaks

If you keep getting genital herpes outbreaks, usually 6 or more in a year, a doctor may prescribe antiviral medication for 6 to 12 months to stop them from coming back. Your treatment will usually be reassessed after 1 year.

Because there is no cure for genital herpes, it is useful to learn to live with the virus by managing the symptoms, lowering the chance of passing it on, and addressing the emotional impact it can have.

Outbreaks can be managed with medication and self-care measures, while communicating openly and honestly with partners can help you feel less anxious and reduce the chance of spreading the infection.

Managing outbreaks

Managing male genital sores includes:

• seeing a doctor and getting antiviral medication
• keeping sores clean and dry
• using an ice pack
• applying painkilling cream to the area – speak to a pharmacist or sexual health clinic if you’re not sure what cream to get
• avoiding tight clothing and underwear
• pouring water over your genitals to manage pain when going for a pee
• taking over-the-counter painkillers, like ibuprofen

Communicating with partners

Talking to your sexual partner or partners and openly discussing your diagnosis and symptoms can help build trust and improve communication in your relationship. It will also help reduce the chance of passing the infection on to others.

Reducing risk of transmission

There are several things you can do to lower the chance of passing genital herpes on to others (transmission), such as:

Can men have herpes without symptoms?

Yes, men can have genital herpes without symptoms. Around 70% of people have caught herpes by the time they are 25, but 1 in 3 do not know because they have no symptoms (asymptomatic), meaning they can pass it on without realising.

Can male herpes go away?

No, there is no cure for genital herpes. Once you are infected with the herpes simplex virus (HSV), it remains in your body for life.

Outbreaks can clear up on their own, but antiviral medication can speed up the healing process, reduce their frequency, and manage the infection.

Can herpes make you infertile?

There is some limited evidence that there could be a link between genital herpes and male infertility because a herpes infection can lower your sperm count and quality. A low sperm count does not mean you are infertile, it can just make it more difficult to conceive.

Which parts of the penis can get herpes sores?

Genital herpes sores can occur anywhere on the penis, including the head, shaft, and base. Some people also get them on or under the foreskin or inside the urethra, the tube where your pee comes out. Herpes sores can also appear on your buttocks, thighs, or around the anus.