Herpes & Intimacy: What You Should Know

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What does intimacy look like when herpes is part of the relationship? Whether you have herpes or you're thinking about dating someone who does, this episode breaks it down.

In this episode of the Herpes Wellness Podcast, Cat Dupree shares what it was like to navigate intimacy in a long-term relationship with someone who had herpes (when she didn’t), and how she approaches intimacy now with a partner who doesn’t have herpes.

You’ll learn about the different protection methods available — including daily antivirals, condoms, and why barrier methods aren't always enough — plus how couples can make informed decisions together to reduce herpes transmission.

Cat also gets real about the emotional side: what it means to take responsibility for protecting your partner, without feeling responsible for their choice to be with you.

Whether you're living with genital herpes (HSV2), oral herpes (HSV1), or just looking to understand more about what intimacy and herpes actually look like — this episode is packed with facts, perspective, and practical advice.

In this episode you’ll hear:

✔️ How Cat handled intimacy with a partner who had herpes
✔️ What it looks like now with her partner who doesn’t have genital herpes
✔️ The herpes protection methods she’s found most effective
✔️ How couples can decide together to reduce herpes transmission
✔️ Why someone's choice to be with you is theirs — but preventing transmission is

In this episode 👇🏻
00:00 Opening
00:32 Welcome
02:07 Intimacy with a partner who had herpes
06:13 Intimacy with a partner who doesn’t have herpes
08:15 Types of herpes protection
09:03 The protection Cat uses
10:22 Making decisions together about herpes
11:19 Responsibility vs. your partner’s choice
14:08 Closing

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All content provided by Herpes Wellness is intended for entertainment or educational purposes only. None of this content is intended to offer, or replace qualified medical or health related advice. Herpes Wellness accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever for any injury, loss, or damage in any shape or form incurred in part or in while, as a direct or indirect result of use or reliance upon the information and material presented here.