Dating with Herpes: Disclosure, Stigma & Healing

Courtney Brame founded Something Positive for Positive People after his own herpes diagnosis and through his non-profit and podcast, he shares real stories and resources for people with positive STI diagnoses. He joins us to discuss shame, stigma, dating, suicide prevention and more including:

How he felt when he was first diagnosed

How he navigated the dating world post-diagnosis

How people respond when he shares his positive status

How to disclose to a new partner

How herpes serves as a compass for the body and self-care

The costs of herpes jokes

How we can reduce the shame and stigma

How to build a support system after a diagnosis

Check out the Something Positive for Positive People Podcast. Follow Courtney on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter.

This podcast has been sponsored by Let’sGetChecked. Use code DRJESS to save at checkout!

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Rough Transcript:

This is a computer-generated rough transcript, so please excuse any typos. This podcast is an informational conversation and is not a substitute for medical, health or other professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the services of an appropriate professional should you have individual questions or concerns.

EPISODE 198: Dating with Herpes: Disclosure, Stigma & Healing

(00:05):

You're listening to the Sex with Dr. Jess podcast. Sex and relationship advice you can use tonight.

Brandon (0:18):

Welcome to the Sex with Dr. Jess podcast, I'm your co host Brandon Ware here with my always lovely other half, Dr Jess.

Dr. Jess (0:26):

Feeling somewhat lovely this morning. I feel like we're getting into our 2021 groove. And you know if we go back to the Dionne Roberts podcast on rest, I've been getting more rest and sleep than I ever have in my life. I think I'm growing. I think I'm an inch taller.

Brandon (0:41):

I'm gonna attribute it in all seriousness to shutting my phone off earlier, making that commitment. And I've been trying to stick to it in 2021. I mean we're only a short time into that, but having that alarm set on my phone or whatever the setting is, to shut off my phone, is really I think helping me sleep.

Dr. Jess (01:01):

So we're getting more sleep, but my sleeps are a little bit tormented. I feel like my body is still adjusting to this whole eight hours plus sleep, like I think my body was more used to five and now it's like after five hours, even though we're going to bed earlier, I'm waking up. But I think it's getting us into a groove. I don't know it feels good in the body.

Brandon (01:21):

I agree. It feels good. Almost embarrassed to admit how early we have gone to bed some nights

Dr. Jess (01:25):

Don't tell the people.

Brandon (01:27):

We used to have dinner later.

Dr. Jess (01:29):

We used to go to remember, we used to make fun of the people who went to the club before eleven when we were young?

Brandon (01:35):

You're going to the club at at ten thirty, eleven? What’s wrong with you?

Dr. Jess (01:40):

Now, we’re fast asleep, fourth cycle of REM. I don’t know how that works, so don’t quote me on that. Today,