Recently diagnosed with HSV-2 and I have so many questions.

I was recently diagnosed with genital HSV-2, and honestly, it’s been really hard for me. I’m hoping to hear from people who have had it for a while because I feel like I’m constantly researching things and freaking myself out.
For some background, I went to a party with my best friend, and we ended up getting sexually assaulted by the same guy. Neither of us has really been in a good mindset since it happened. A few days after, I started having what I think were my first outbreak symptoms. I went and got tested, and everything was negative at first, but I was still really sore and couldn’t pee without it hurting really badly.
I called the nurse, and she told me to get a pelvic exam, so I did. During the appointment, I was told I had HSV-2. The doctor said it like it was no big deal, but I immediately broke down. I was so distraught that I didn’t even have time to process it or ask questions.
When I got home, I started researching everything myself, and some of the stuff I saw about herpes and the stigma around it really got to me. I started feeling like I wasn’t going to be desirable anymore or that nobody would want me. It really messed with my confidence and made me feel hopeless about dating and my future relationships.
I was given valacyclovir for my first outbreak, and it has helped a lot. The soreness got way better, and I can actually pee without it burning now. I still have some soreness when I sit for a long time or wear certain pants, but I’m starting to feel more normal.
I’m also bisexual, so I have questions specifically about dating and having sex with women too. I still want to have a normal dating life and be able to have relationships and sex without constantly feeling scared or ashamed of my diagnosis. I’m just worried that HSV-2 is going to change that for me.
For people who have had HSV-2 for a while, I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences with this:
Does it actually get easier? Does the anxiety and fear around it eventually calm down?
Did you start taking daily suppressive medication? If so, did it help you feel more comfortable with dating and transmission?
How did you ask your doctor about starting suppressive medication? Did you just tell them you wanted to take valacyclovir every day?
What do your outbreaks usually look and feel like?
Does the pain get less severe after the first outbreak, or is it usually about the same?
Did anyone else have so much pain and soreness that sitting, wearing pants, walking around, etc. was uncomfortable? Did you ever avoid making plans or going places because of it?
What kind of clothes do you wear during an outbreak? Is there anything that makes it more comfortable?
Did you make any lifestyle changes that actually helped with outbreaks?
Did you stop drinking alcohol? Are there certain foods or drinks you avoid?
Does vaping seem to make outbreaks worse for anyone? I vape, and I’m wondering if that’s something I should stop.
Is there anything you wish you had known about your triggers before you started having recurrent outbreaks?
Did you get another outbreak after your first one? If so, how long after?
Do outbreaks eventually become less frequent or less painful?
How did you start dating again after your diagnosis?
Are you currently in a relationship? If so, how did you tell your partner?
How do you disclose without constantly being terrified that the person is going to tell other people?
Did you tell your family or close friends, or did you keep it completely private?
I’m really scared of people finding out, so how do you deal with that fear?
If you’re a woman who dates women, has HSV-2 made dating women harder?
Do you still receive oral sex from women? How do you handle the risk?
What does your sex life look like now compared to before your diagnosis?
Did HSV-2 change how confident you feel sexually? If it did, how did you get that confidence back?
If you live in a house with other people, did you have to change anything about how you live to make sure you don’t transmit it to them? Like sharing bathrooms, towels, clothes, laundry, etc.?
And for anyone who had really dark or suicidal thoughts after finding out, how did you get through that? How did you eventually get back to feeling like you had a future and could still have relationships and a normal life?
I’m sorry this is so long. This happened right after something already really traumatic, and I feel like I’m trying to process everything at once. I know HSV-2 is manageable, but right now it just feels like such a huge thing, and I’m scared of what it means for my future.
I’d really love to hear from people who have had it for years, especially people who date women or are bisexual. I don’t really want medical textbook answers. I want to know what life has actually been like for you and whether it really does get better.
Thank you if you read all of this. ❤️