Misdiagnosed warts?

[jayjam]

Last Saturday I went to the doctor because I had 3 skin colored bumps (ranging from 3-5 millimeters in length) on the VERY lower shaft of my penis (one on the left side and two on the right only a few millimeters from the groin line). I also have some even smaller skin colored bumps that look exactly the same that are in the pubic region (a few inches above my penis in the groin area). Keep in mind that I shave down there regularly. The doctor examined them and said she thought they were warts. After of course being in complete shock, I then asked to be tested for all STD’s and HIV, all of which came back negative. She has referred me to a urologist for a second opinion. I will see him next week to confirm her opinion. In the mean time I have started taking Condylox as recommended by the doctor.

I have been in a committed relationship with a woman for the last year and 4 months. Before that I had a relationship that lasted a little over 2 years, also in which was a committed relationship. Keep in mind that the gap between these women were about 6 months in which during that time I had no sexual activity, so this is almost 4 years of sexual history (I know that HPV can lie dormant in your system for many years, but is that very common?). My ex girlfriend is now married with a kid, and I have talked to her about this and she confirmed that she has never had an abnormal Pap, the last one being just a few months ago. I do trust her because we have remained close friends throughout the years (I know very abnormal but its cool). My current girlfriend (soon to be fiancé) had her last Pap 8 months ago and it came back normal.

My questions are as follows:

1. Based on the descriptions above, could it be possible that the physician misdiagnosed these bumps? I am stumped because it was my impression that warts did not grow on hair follicles, and these bumps are all located where hair follicles are, one bump in which it appears there is a hair growing from it.
2. If it is in fact condylomata, what will this do to my sex life? Since I noticed the bumps my girlfriend and I have not been having sex. If it is warts I take it I should not be having sex with her until they are gone, or does it matter at this point if in fact that is what they are confirmed to be?
3. My girlfriend already knows about this, and as of today she has no symptoms of anything (I know that this virus can be asymptomatic). She is going in for a Pap within the next two weeks. If it comes back normal, I take it we have nothing to really worry about?

Thanks for your attention. This is a great site and it is really helping me through this. As you can tell, I am a worrier.  :-/

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Although I obviously can't be sure without looking, these bumps don't sound like warts to me.  At the very least, there's ample room to be skeptical.  I advise you to see a dermatologist.  If there's doubt, a biopsy may be helpful, just to rule warts out to the extent that you can stop worrying about them.  But if the doctor can tell by looking that they aren't--which I believe will be the case--then you can forget about them.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[poco1023]

I thought I would lend you some personal advice on HPV while you wait for the doctor to reply. I've had normal paps for quite some time with the most recent one being done in June 2006. My gyno asked if I wanted the HPV test done since I'm over 30 (way over), so I said yes.  Even though my pap came back normal my HPV test came back positive for high-risk HPV.  Not sure how long I've had this, never had any symptoms nor has my current b/f of 5 years.  He too no symptons. If your g/f is 30 or over I would suggest her having the HPV test. From what I hear they dont give it to women under 30 and there is no test for men unless there is visible warts.  I hope this information helps and I wish you both the best.

[jayjam]

Thanks for the reply. My girlfriend is under the age of 30 so I would bet they would not be doing the HPV test. Perhaps they should as a precautionary? I am more worried about my girlfriend then me. I know for men this is really nothing more then a nuisance and rarely can cause complications. I would never forgive myself if she had problems because of me. Then again, she has had sexual relations before me so it very well could have come from her. In any case, neither of us are playing blame game and are only looking to ensure that each other are happy and healthy.  :-)

Still waiting on the possible misdiagnosis so we will see what happens. In either case, if it is warts so be it. I know probably half of the human race has this and I guess its the price you pay for having sexual relations.

[poco1023]

If by chance you do have warts and she makes her doctor aware of that, maybe they would do the test for her but I'm not sure. I have a friend of a friend who will be 27 this year and they denied her the test due to her age.  It's really a good thing you too are not placing blame on one another.  There's really know way of knowing whom or when it happened. I was told by my doctor just to make sure I keep up with my yearly exams which I always have so they can keep track of any cervical changes.  The virus does clear up after time from what I was told on the std forum and once you've been infected with a specific type your immune to catching that same type again. I'm considering asking about the vaccine to protect myself against the other types just in case, so that's a thought.  I wish the best to your and your g/f and glad to hear your not letting this ruin a great relationship.

[jayjam]

Thank you Doctor. I am seeing both a urologist and a dermatologist next week. In your experience have you typically found physicians who are not in dermatology or urology to misdiagnose skin conditions?