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What does intimacy really look like when herpes is part of the relationship?

Whether you have it or you’re thinking about dating someone who does, this episode breaks it down with real stories and facts. 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 hear about the “symptom method” she once used, why antivirals are now her go-to, and how couples can decide together what feels right. Cat also covers how well barrier methods actually work, what studies show about transmission, and why being responsible for prevention is different from being responsible for your partner’s choice to be with you.

Whether you’re living with HSV2 or HSV1 and you just want to understand more about intimacy, transmission, and relationships — this episode gives you perspective, clarity, and practical steps you can use.

In this episode you’ll hear:

✔️ How Cat navigated intimacy with a partner who had herpes

✔️ What intimacy looks like now with her current partner who doesn’t have herpes

✔️ The “symptom method” vs. antivirals — and why her approach changed

✔️ How effective barrier methods, antivirals, and combination strategies are in reducing transmission

✔️ The realization that helped her move past the fear of passing herpes to a partner