Genital Warts Recurrences, Am i doing something wrong?

[Joshua88]

Dear Doc,

I've had have my genital warts treated 4 years ago... and haven't experienced the same for 4 years.  Until last year of September.  I had have various exposures, and I do believe what I have is a reinfection of the virus.  I was treated last year november and still being treated up to now, and im going back to my dermatology for another caultery session.  Note: No sexual exposure from my 1st treatment up until now.

My question is, 4 years ago, i was treated only once and warts are not as stubborn as they are now.  Now, every after treatment, new warts come out from other areas... Is there something wrong with my immune system? I do shave my pubic hair and masturbate regularly, Does these affect my warts recurrences? Will I ever be normal again? or Will warts constantly appear in my genitals my whole life?  Oh by the way, I use aldara cream too, and it doesnt seem to be of any help.  

What is the best advice you could give me doc?  I'm doing everything there is by the book.  Frustratiion is starting to get into me.  Spent a lot of money and time to my condition already, and its starting to ruin my relationship with my fiance, still have not experienced any improvements.  Anything from you doc would be highly appreciated, Thanks.

Help me doc, thanks

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Warts have a tendency to come back in the same general vicinity, whether it's the genitals or the elbow.  When that happens, it does not mean that there has been reinfection.  It could happen with no known exposure at all.  It also does not mean that there's anything wrong with the immune system.

This recurrence is very frustrating, but it should not ruin your relationship with your fiancée for at least 2 reasons:
1.  The fact that they come back does not mean that you've been playing around.
2.  She has already been exposed (and may well have been exposed to partners before you, since so many people once had it).  If she goes for regular Pap smears--which she should do anyway--that's all the precaution she needs to take.

You need to keep going back till the warts give up.  In my experience, sooner or later they do.  Don't let these pesky--and extremely common--things ruin your personal life.  That would be unnecessary and a great shame.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[guy1207]

Sir,

I would assume your fiance already has or had warts as well?  I don't understand why this would ruin your relationship.  Is the distress coming from your end or hers?  At the end of the day this is not life threatening in any way, and to mirror the Drs comments, it would be a shame for such a small thing to ruin a relationship.  I pose to you, shouldn't your love for each other outweigh the inconvenience of warts?

[Joshua88]

Thanks for the comments and replies... hmm... is there any truth on Doc HHH's assumption that the virus clears up after a year to 2 years time?  and yikes... recurrence of warts after 4 years? is this common? and yikes again... if my current warts clears up, its possible to come back after 4, 10 years?  Please do shed some light and knowledge to my ignorance doc...

We hadn't had sex since the infection... and its been 4 months, and you know how devastating it could be... without sex in a relationship.  

I would like to thank you doc, for giving hope to my frustrating situation.  Thank you very much.

[guy1207]

Well, as far as I know, most infections clear within 2 years, but HPV will always live in the system with some small DNA.  What you have to realize is that everyone usually gets this in their lifetime.  You still haven't said whether your fiance has shown signs of warts or not.  Did you tell her about your past warts before?  If you both have been exposed to the virus, what is the big deal?  This is not life threatening.