PODCAST · health
Life With Herpes
by Alexandra Harbushka
The Life With Herpes Podcast is created to educate, entertain and connect the underserved and, often ostracized, community of people living with herpes. Each week, Life With Herpes the show focuses on personal stories, managing day to day life with herpes, a weekly Ask Alexandra section, and weekly interviews with medical or industry professionals. We will cover things ranging from the stigma, how to cope and the hard core facts about herpes. The show will help people with the virus understand it and learn how to survive their outbreaks.
Episodes
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Finding God & Identity in Christ Through an STD Diagnosis
In this episode of Life with Herpes, Alexandra Harbushka sits down with Lindsey Ellyn, author of the book "The Shame Game", to discuss how an STD diagnosis became a turning point of self-discovery and finding faith. Lindsey shares how herpes woke her up, leading her to find God and embrace her...
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Vaginal Microbiome & Herpes Outbreaks
In this episode, we dive deep into managing viral outbreaks and vaginal health with Coach Sarah Joy, a specialist in immune and vaginal wellness. Discover practical strategies for boosting your immune system, identifying dietary triggers, managing stress, and supporting your vaginal microbiome....
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I'm More Than my Herpes Diagnosis
This podcast episode features an interview with Monique Darnell, a licensed professional counselor and author of the "STD Mental Health Handbook." Our discussion focuses on the mental health and emotional aspects of dealing with a herpes diagnosis, including the stigma, shame, and trauma that can...
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4 Things I'm Doing to Uplevel My Life Even Though I Have Herpes – Tips and Tricks!
In this episode titled "4 Things I'm Doing to Uplevel My Life Despite Having Herpes," Alexandra Harbushka shares four key strategies for improving overall well-being while living with herpes. Firstly, she emphasizes the importance of prioritizing sleep, suggesting techniques such as avoiding...
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In in Search of a Herpes Cure
Cure Advocacy is the only patient advocacy organization globally working towards the cure, treatment and prevention of Herpes. They exist to empower both patients and healthcare providers to learn to advocate for themselves and to know that change is possible! Visit www.herpescureadvocacy.com to...
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Healing Shame: Exploring the Nervous System and Herpes Stigma
In this enlightening episode, delve into the intricate connection between the nervous system and the emotional impact of a herpes diagnosis. Discover how shame and societal stigma can influence our neural pathways, affecting not only our mental well-being but also our physical health. Join us as…
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Navigating Faith, God, and Theology in the Herpes Shame Game with Lindsey Ellyn
A powerful interview Alexandra did with Lindsey Ellyn, the author of The Shame Game: A Counter-Cultural Approach to Overcoming Shame and Improving Mental, Relational, and Sexual Health, where they talk about the shame that a herpes diagnosis can bring. In the tapestry of life, certain threads can...
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Thyroid & Gut Health and It's Connection to Herpes
"Join Coach Sarah Joy on a transformative journey through thyroid and gut health. A former warrior battling Epstein Barr, Herpes, Hashimoto's, and Hypothyroidism, she conquered chronic symptoms and reclaimed her health. After enduring misdiagnoses and ineffective treatments, Sarah reclaimed her...
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How Your Nervous System Controls Herpes Outbreaks
In this insightful episode of Life with herpes podcast, join your host Alexandra Harbushka and special guest Elisabeth Kristof as they delve into the fascinating connection between the nervous system and herpes outbreaks. Elisabeth, a renowned expert in nervous system health, shares valuable...
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Understanding Herpes: Insights from an OBGYN
In a recent interview, we had the opportunity to speak with Dr. John Martin, an experienced OBGYN, who shared valuable insights about herpes, its impact on pregnancy, and how individuals can navigate this diagnosis. Join us as we delve into the conversation and gain a better understanding of…
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The Secret Society: An Online Support Group for Herpes Community
Finding out you have herpes can be a difficult and isolating experience. When Alexandra, the founder of The Secret Society was first diagnosed, she felt alone and without support. That's why she created The Secret Society, an online support group for people living with herpes.
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Thyroid Disease, Herpes and Epstein–Barr - Gain Back Your Health with Coach Sarah Joy
Coach Sarah Joy helps women with thyroid conditions find their root causes. She got herpes, was diagnosed with Hashimoto's and Epstein–Barr. After years of dealing with symptoms, exhaustion, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, muscle weakness, panic attacks, brittle hair and nails, hair loss, food...
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Accepting My Flaws and a Herpes Diagnosis - There Is More than Just Herpes
When we are in a relationship there is acceptance on both sides. We think that herpes is the only thing that has to be accepted. But we are also going to be accepting my flaws and a herpes diagnosis.
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Wellness Products for Herpes Outbreak
These wellness products are made to fight herpes outbreaks. We created them especially for people living with herpes, who want to deal with their outbreaks in a more natural ways. They can also be used to support your body when you're on antivirals. Overall, they took about a year to get…
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What to Do If You Were Just Diagnosed with Genital Herpes
If you were just diagnosed with herpes, you're probably freaking out and don't know where to go or turn to. I hope this video sheds some light on the topic you're interested in, how to go on, and where to search for information.
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Being Promiscuous Will Get You a Herpes Diagnosis
There's a preconceived notion in many of us that being promiscuous will definitely get you herpes. If you will not sleep around, or not sleep with 'those people', or always do things the right way, there's no way you're going to get herpes. I also thought I'm that person.
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Being Diagnosed with Herpes Later in Life
Sometimes people think it's easier to get diagnosed later in life, and other times, people think it's easier when we're younger and we can deal with it easier. The truth is, there's never a good time to get diagnosed and it can always be hard to deal with outbreaks and disclose to our partners,...
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Asymptomatic and Living with Herpes with Alexandra Harbushka
According to Oxford's dictionary the definition of asymptomatic is, "(of a condition or a person) producing or showing no symptoms." So what this means for someone living with herpes is, they have herpes but don't have any symptoms. They don't get outbreaks, they don't have tingles, they don't…
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Is Herpes Always Genital or Oral with Alexandra Harbushka
There are 4 common areas where the HSV1 or HSV2 virus can go; oral, genital, on your hands and in your eyes.
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How I Spent My 4th of July with a Herpes Diagnosis
In your 20's your 4th of July should be spent having fun with friends at the beach. Having just gotten diagnosed with herpes you won't believe how I spent my 4th of July. Spoiler alert there was lots of crying over my herpes diagnosis.
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The Day I Got Diagnosed with Genital Herpes Was the Worst Day of My Life
This day 11 years ago was the worst day of my life, it was the day I got diagnosed with genital herpes. This was something I never saw coming. On today's vlog Alexandra shares her never told before story of what it was like in 2011 getting diagnosed with genital herpes.
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What Life with Herpes Looks like for 11 Years
When I was first diagnosed with herpes I'd wondered what life with herpes would look like for 11 years. At the time, I didn't think that a happy life was even possible. I mean, I had herpes. In today's video I walk you through what it's like living with herpes 11 years later.
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You Have Herpes Questions, the Top FAQ's Answered
If you've just been diagnosed with herpes you have herpes questions. So Alexandra's answered the top FAQ's in today's vlog. She talks about that waiting period of wondering if your herpes results are going to come back positive or negative. There are so many ups and downs that lead you down a...
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What Doctor Said when I Went for My Physical
Now it's Tuesday and I know something is wrong. This is the same day as it was eleven years ago. By now the blisters had fully shown up and I was in unbelievable pain. I felt so sick and could not imagine what was going on. Today was supposed to be just a regular physical but instead it turned…
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What You Need to Know about Herpes in 2022
Being diagnosed with herpes in 2003 is very different than being diagnosed with herpes in 2022 . The major difference is the ability to find resources and educate yourself because back in the early 2000's it was even more taboo than now. Alexandra shares her point of view from 2003 till today in...
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Something Was Wrong but I Didn't Think It Was Herpes with Alexandra Harbushka
Eleven years ago I was diagnosed with genital herpes. This year in 2022 falls on the same days of the week as in 2011. I've shared things here and there but I've never walked you through exactly what I did and how I felt. Share what I can remember and the good, the bad and the ugly. My intention...
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How Do You Get Pregnant without Transmitting Herpes to Your Partner with Alexandra Harbushka
When we hear about herpes or are diagnosed with herpes we automatically think we have to use a condom or some type of protection for the rest of our life. I've had a lot of you ask me about my story and how did I get pregnant and was I worried about transmitting it to my husband.
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Monolaurin, Herpes and other Viruses
Monolaurin is becoming more and more popular among people looking for a healthy lifestyle. Coconuts and palm kernel oil are almost the only source of it, apart from human breast milk. Later telling us how important actually is for humans. Monolaurin has the ability to break the outer shell of...
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Afraid to Get Herpes: Here's What to Do with Alexandra Harbushka
Before getting herpes or a STD/STI I was terrified of getting one, especially herpes. I mean look at what the stigma says about people who have herpes. They are disgusting, they have slept around, they are whores that got this because they did something wrong and now they are paying for it and it...
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Herpes Dating Stories: What You Really Need to Know when Disclosing
Your dating life is not over now that you have herpes. Promise!!! Having herpes or not rejection happens and that's okay and it's part of life. I disclosed to guys that I was interested in and got rejected, I also disclosed as way to get out of having sex and that totally backfired and then I've...
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If I Were Diagnosed with Herpes Today: 3 Things I Would Do Differently with Alexandra Harbushka
I was diagnosed with herpes in 2011. That doesn't sound like it was too long ago and that we haven't had to many changes but really, when you think about it we've had a ton of technological changes. Let me take you back to 2011. There was google, but it wasn't what it is today. There was Facebook...
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HSV2 Is Contagious 10% of the Time
Now that we have herpes we want to know what the chances are that we're going to transmit herpes to our partner. I get asked this daily on my lives and in the comments. There is the preconceived thought that if you have herpes you're contagious all the time and you'll have outbreaks all the time...
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It's Hard Not to Find Someone with Herpes with Alexandra Harbushka
With herpes being so common it's actually rare to find someone without it. I hear time and time again from people who are just diagnosed with herpes, or if they haven't processed their herpes diagnosis, say that their partner should go find someone without herpes. Or when a rejection happens the...
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Dating after a Herpes Diagnosis with Alexandra Harbushka
It's totally possible and your dating life can be totally normal. In general we put so much on our plate to date. Things like: he has to be the one, or I'm so tired of dating immature people, are there any good ones left out there, ugh, here we go again and so on. We females put pressure on...
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Outbreaks While You're Pregnant: What to Do
Let me tell you a bit about my pregnancy. I went through IVF to have Clinton and I never had an outbreak during any of the hormonal treatments and IVF treatments to get pregnant. Then fast forward I don't believe I had outbreaks in my first trimester but then in my second trimester, I started...
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Herpes Disclosure: After You've Slept with Them
This topic brings up so many emotions. If you just slept with someone and they then later told you that they have herpes, I'm sure you are angry and confused. And if you have herpes and just slept with someone and didn't tell them, I bet you have a lump in you stomach.
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Intimacy During an Outbreak with Alexandra Harbushka
There are times that I have had an outbreak and my husband and I have wanted to have sex. Whether it's been when we are on vacation, or just because. With that being said, we've gotten creative and still had a great time getting between the sheets.
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How to Deal with Your First Herpes Outbreak with Alexandra Harbushka
If you've just gotten herpes and you are in a ton of pain physically and emotionally, I know what you are going through. Sometimes when I look back I think it's the physical pain that is the most. And then there are other times I think, no, it's the emotional pain. Regardless they are both there...
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Do Exercise and Herpes Go Together?
I've been getting lots of questions like; will sweat cause an outbreak, will friction cause an outbreak, will HITT cause me to get an outbreak, professional bodybuilders have asked questions about pre workout and so on.
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Can You Have Unprotected Sex If You Have Herpes?
Yes, of course you can. But before you hit the sheets with your partner let's talk about some details first. One of the biggest fears or thoughts are about having sex when you've been diagnosed with herpes is that you'll have to use a condom for the rest of your life.
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Tell Your Partner Toolkit
Our biggest fear, once we're diagnosed, is dating. It's the fear of rejection, it's the how do I disclose, do I need to disclose and so on. All of these feelings questions and emotions are valid and an important part of the herpes journey.
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Foods That Trigger Herpes Outbreaks
So yes, there are some things you can do to help manage your herpes outbreaks and/or feed your herpes outbreak. In other blog posts I talk about lifestyle, supplements and why people get outbreaks. So today I'm going to talk about foods that feed outbreaks and why.
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Why I Got Herpes with Alexandra Harbushka
Why me? This is something I asked myself for years. I would sit crying wondering why this happened to me. What did I do to deserve this? I couldn't think of anything worse than getting diagnosed with herpes.
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Herpes Outbreak Toolkit with Alexandra Harbushka
This is something that I felt was so important to put together and I really wish it was something that I could have walked away with when I was diagnosed. I wish that Dr. would have said, "there is this great online community called Life with Herpes and there is an Outbreak Toolkit that has...
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3 Reasons Why 75-90% People with Genital Herpes Don't Know They Have It
If your first outbreak was anything like mine you're wondering like me: how people could not know they had herpes or at least something going on down there.
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Can You Be in a Monogamous Relationship and Still Get Herpes?
Recently on social media someone commented on my live and said that if I hadn't been so promiscuous I wouldn't have gotten herpes. There's a lot of ways we can dissect this comment. Also, instead of going off on this man, I used it as a learning opportunity to talk about how promiscuity has…
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Emergency Call with Alexandra Harbushka
This especially happens when you are first diagnosed with herpes. You hang up the phone from your doctor and then are like now what. Who do I talk to? What do I do? The worst thing is to start googling herpes and looking at the pictures. Eek! And then the second worse thing is to sit in your…
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How to Get Diagnosed with Herpes with Alexandra Harbushka
The herpes test is not included in the STI panel. So even if you're a responsible sexually active adult and you ask your doctor for every STI test, most likely herpes will not be included in the herpes test. Not including the herpes test on the STI panel is part of the problem on why there are so...
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How I Told My Husband I Have Herpes with Alexandra Harbushka
In case you don't know it, I'm married and my husband does not have herpes! This comes as a shock to a lot of people. I don't think it's the married part but the part that my husband doesn't have herpes.
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Positivity Lotion with Alexandra Harbushka
Personally I love the woodsy smell and this is something that I use daily. I use it out of the shower and always before going to bet. I live in Las Vegas so my skin is always needing some hydration and this lotion leaves myskin feeling silky and nourished. Not to mention I emotionally feel at ease.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Life With Herpes Podcast is created to educate, entertain and connect the underserved and, often ostracized, community of people living with herpes. Each week, Life With Herpes the show focuses on personal stories, managing day to day life with herpes, a weekly Ask Alexandra section, and weekly interviews with medical or industry professionals. We will cover things ranging from the stigma, how to cope and the hard core facts about herpes. The show will help people with the virus understand it and learn how to survive their outbreaks.
HOSTED BY
Alexandra Harbushka
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Life With Herpes have?
Life With Herpes currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Life With Herpes about?
The Life With Herpes Podcast is created to educate, entertain and connect the underserved and, often ostracized, community of people living with herpes. Each week, Life With Herpes the show focuses on personal stories, managing day to day life with herpes, a weekly Ask Alexandra section, and weekly...
How often does Life With Herpes release new episodes?
Life With Herpes has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Life With Herpes?
You can listen to Life With Herpes on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Life With Herpes?
Life With Herpes is created and hosted by Alexandra Harbushka.
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