Genital herpes is caused by another form of the virus. Herpes sores usually look like blisters or cold sores. In women, the sores can be inside the vagina and on the cervix, or on the skin outside the vagina. In men, the sores are on the penis and scrotum, and the skin around the genital area. The sores start off as itchy places and then change to blisters or ulcers.
Ulcers are red sores that are filled with pus.
Sometimes, blisters pop up and change to ulcers before you even notice you have them. Over a period of days, the sores change to crusted spots before they finally heal. Genital herpes is very common. One of every five people in this country has genital herpes. People who have sex with many partners are most likely to get it.