Bumps in Genital Area

About 9 years ago, I noticed about three small bumps on my genitals.  I am a woman and when I saw my doctor for my annual pap smear she said the bumps were nothing to worry about, just woman bumps.  They don't really bother me unless they are irritated by shaving or manipulation of the genital area around them.  Then they itch.  Not always, just when touched.  They seem to shrink when left alone, and swell like any other skin when irritated.  I also have skin tags on other parts of my body, to include my rectum.  Other than genital warts, what else could these bumps be if my annual pap smears are normal?  Is my doctor missing something?

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

Where are these bumps located?

If these bumps are superficial, then they may be folliculitis , pseudofolliculitis ( razor bumps or burns), fungal infection and dermatitis. You have mentioned of shaving the area. This may be a contributing factor in your case. I would suggest that you refrain from manipulating or shaving the area. Shaving may cause the hairs to grow inward thus irritating the surrounding skin. Apply cool compress over the affected areas. Just keep the area dry and clean at all times to prevent infections.

If pus, redness, and pain are present then you may need antibacterial soap and topical medications for this.

[krismself]

The bumps are located on the outer part of the genitals near the clitoris.  They were there before I started shaving the area.  There is no soreness or pain associated with them, just the occasional itch and inflammation.  

I also read on another post that Dr_Apar... mentioned that plantar warts are a type of HPV.  Does that mean if you have had a plantar wart in your lifetime that you are positive for HPV?  Is this the same as the genital HPV?

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

HPV has hundreds of types and some may have predilections to certain areas. Genital HPV's may be caused by a different type of HPV affecting the hands for example. It may be difficult to give  a definite answer to your question but those who had been infected with HPV especially genital HPV may be carriers of the virus. "HPV can lie dormant in humans for an unknown period of years. However, most individuals develop immunity, after which time they are no longer contagious. One can probably assume that immunity exists and the risk of being contagious is minimized after having genital warts and/or dysplasia when: (1) in cases of surgical removal, or when the signs and symptoms have disappeared without any treatment, there have been no recurrences for a year, or (2) in cases of immune system support, all warts and/or dysplasia disappeared. "

Source:http://www.health-science-report.com/alotek/topics1/article3/

So HPV may persist within skin cells for a certain time but the thing with HPV is that there is no ready available test to determine if a current infection is present unless there is a skin manifestation eg warts or if a pap smear in women is positive.

[krismself]

Thanks Vanessa.  I guess the next step I need to take is to ask specifically for a test.  I find it hard to believe that with each pap smear these doctors are missing the identification of these bumps, and that they are not finding a positive result.  Do all pap smears test for HPV?