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Conflicting Medical Advice, Who To Believe?
The first time I spotted something that looked odd was about two years ago. I went to the doctor and she did a biopsy. She told me the biopsy was normal and said I just had irritated skin. As time went on 2 or three more bumps and discolorations formed, all at base of my penis in between the scrotum and the shaft. After a year of no change I went to another doctor. She and another doctor said there was no problem - normal skin, but wanted to give me a std check. I told them that I have really sensitive skin and I often have irritated and chaffed skin after sex. The std check was negative.
So fast forward almost another year to a couple of months ago. I notice a mark, flat and dark, on the shaft 1/2 way up. I tried to rub it off but nothing happen. It didn't hurt and it didn't spread. Nevertheless I made an appointment with a derm. By the time my appointment came, 3 days ago, it seemed like it may have been going away or just changing? What had started a almost perfectly circular had an obvious triangular erosion through the bottom. However I wasn't certain whether the triangle area was healing or whether the entire area was just growing in an awkward fashion.
I went to the derm appointment two days ago. He looked at it three times with a magnifying glass and said it was definitely not HPV-genital warts. In fact, he diagnosed the mark as well as the others from the previous years as sobherbic keratosics. I insisted he do a biopsy. He cut off most of the pencil easer sized area. I asked him for the HPV vaccine and he told me I didn't need it and it wasn't approved for men. I didn't listen. I went to a gen practitioner and told him this whole story. He said I could get the vaccine and gave it to me on the spot.
Today the derm called me and said the results were that I did have genital warts. I was devastated. How could so many doctors be wrong? Now I have the vaccine floating around with the virus. Could this be harmful? I also have a gash on the side of my penis (and I noticed he didn't get all of it there is a piece at the top that he failed to remove) will this be a complication. I don't want to touch this area now. What else can I do? Is it possible that the biopsy is wrong? How do I find the best HPV-Male Dr. in NYC? Could it be that the thing on my shaft was going away and now I have exacerbated the problem by allowing him to cut it off? is cutting it off even a recommended treatment?
I also have about 5-6 almost invisible little dots around my penis, could they be warts? Are the original "skin irritations warts"? I'm supposed to go see him next week for treatment on the rest. What should I do?
So fast forward almost another year to a couple of months ago. I notice a mark, flat and dark, on the shaft 1/2 way up. I tried to rub it off but nothing happen. It didn't hurt and it didn't spread. Nevertheless I made an appointment with a derm. By the time my appointment came, 3 days ago, it seemed like it may have been going away or just changing? What had started a almost perfectly circular had an obvious triangular erosion through the bottom. However I wasn't certain whether the triangle area was healing or whether the entire area was just growing in an awkward fashion.
I went to the derm appointment two days ago. He looked at it three times with a magnifying glass and said it was definitely not HPV-genital warts. In fact, he diagnosed the mark as well as the others from the previous years as sobherbic keratosics. I insisted he do a biopsy. He cut off most of the pencil easer sized area. I asked him for the HPV vaccine and he told me I didn't need it and it wasn't approved for men. I didn't listen. I went to a gen practitioner and told him this whole story. He said I could get the vaccine and gave it to me on the spot.
Today the derm called me and said the results were that I did have genital warts. I was devastated. How could so many doctors be wrong? Now I have the vaccine floating around with the virus. Could this be harmful? I also have a gash on the side of my penis (and I noticed he didn't get all of it there is a piece at the top that he failed to remove) will this be a complication. I don't want to touch this area now. What else can I do? Is it possible that the biopsy is wrong? How do I find the best HPV-Male Dr. in NYC? Could it be that the thing on my shaft was going away and now I have exacerbated the problem by allowing him to cut it off? is cutting it off even a recommended treatment?
I also have about 5-6 almost invisible little dots around my penis, could they be warts? Are the original "skin irritations warts"? I'm supposed to go see him next week for treatment on the rest. What should I do?
Best Answer
Also, should everybody be vaccinated for HPV?
I see. Thank you very much Mags, I am much more aware about HPV now.
The doc on the forum told me HPV is so common in sexually active people that if you don't have it you prob will get it.
Only about 40 of the almost 200 strains of HPV are genital strains. We can have one or many at the same time. I know I have at least one of the low and one of the high risk gential types.
Only about 40 of the almost 200 strains of HPV are genital strains. We can have one or many at the same time. I know I have at least one of the low and one of the high risk gential types.
I see. So it's actually something 'everybody has'? Or is considered normal?
No it means once we catch a strain of HPV we have it for the rest of our life, we might have symptoms or might not. If we do have symptoms our immune system works to clear them and once this is done we may never again have a flare up. If you are very worried about HPV think of it this way. Almost everyone has it and so it is just a commonly shared factor of being human. It has been traced back 1000's of years.
Sorry for asking this here. Does it mean that after a few months, our body will not have HPV?
I think those other bumps you are talking about are prob normal...all the penis' I have seen have them. :) Have your doc tell you for sure and from what I have read a dermatologist is prob who you should see. Ask if they are very experienced with HPV/warts.
I think you should make whatever choice is best for you with telling others. This is how I am. First no one can look at you and know. After a few weeks you even start to forget because my wants never hurt, expect maybe a bit with treatment but honestly I want them burned off so I don't mind that. My doc even said I am tough because I am so good with the burn from the acid. I have only told my bestest friends who I would tell my secrets too anyway and shared here. I have told a few friends/family that I had cell changes and found many of them had their own experiences so that helped me not feel alone, which based on what I know...I am so not alone with HPV! Another thing you learn is it's simply a skin condition and though a wart on your finger is embarrising, hell we all get them and just require treatment.
You can't pass HPV to anyone around you just via normal activities so don't feel dirty or scared of that in any way. No one is going to know and you can deal with this in private. The doc on here told me that after my symptoms are gone, wait 3 to 6 months and I could have sex without disclosure. Now this I can't agree with because I find HPV is a part of my sexual history now and think if more people owned up to it less of us might have it. Regardless of how common, or if someone didn't know they had it and I know I took my chances, it would have been nice to know. Def don't have sex without disclosure while you have warts present but again, up to you.
I can only assume you use the rule of no warts for 3 to 6 months. I think you prob knew you had taken risks and you were looking for something wrong. :) That is not a judgement, I think I am lucky to only have HPV. I had set up my yearly 2 months early and spend a week crying when I found out. This site has really helped me understand HPV and start to move forward with life, safer!
I think you should make whatever choice is best for you with telling others. This is how I am. First no one can look at you and know. After a few weeks you even start to forget because my wants never hurt, expect maybe a bit with treatment but honestly I want them burned off so I don't mind that. My doc even said I am tough because I am so good with the burn from the acid. I have only told my bestest friends who I would tell my secrets too anyway and shared here. I have told a few friends/family that I had cell changes and found many of them had their own experiences so that helped me not feel alone, which based on what I know...I am so not alone with HPV! Another thing you learn is it's simply a skin condition and though a wart on your finger is embarrising, hell we all get them and just require treatment.
You can't pass HPV to anyone around you just via normal activities so don't feel dirty or scared of that in any way. No one is going to know and you can deal with this in private. The doc on here told me that after my symptoms are gone, wait 3 to 6 months and I could have sex without disclosure. Now this I can't agree with because I find HPV is a part of my sexual history now and think if more people owned up to it less of us might have it. Regardless of how common, or if someone didn't know they had it and I know I took my chances, it would have been nice to know. Def don't have sex without disclosure while you have warts present but again, up to you.
I can only assume you use the rule of no warts for 3 to 6 months. I think you prob knew you had taken risks and you were looking for something wrong. :) That is not a judgement, I think I am lucky to only have HPV. I had set up my yearly 2 months early and spend a week crying when I found out. This site has really helped me understand HPV and start to move forward with life, safer!
Would you lie about having HPV? do you think its unethical? Not to a potential partner but to like a family member or friend?
I ask because my doctor was super emphatic that what I had was not HPV, so I actually told people that I thought I had it but didn't. I was actually talking to one of them on the phone when the doc called. I'm afraid people will tell people and I don't want to be treated differently.
Similarly, how will I know if I still have it. I really dont have many showings. Most people would not have gone to the doctor for what I did have. Especially after so many docs said it was nothing. I know women have paps but for guy when will we know f we've cleared it?
I ask because my doctor was super emphatic that what I had was not HPV, so I actually told people that I thought I had it but didn't. I was actually talking to one of them on the phone when the doc called. I'm afraid people will tell people and I don't want to be treated differently.
Similarly, how will I know if I still have it. I really dont have many showings. Most people would not have gone to the doctor for what I did have. Especially after so many docs said it was nothing. I know women have paps but for guy when will we know f we've cleared it?
The doc did not biopsy a bump for me, it was a flat pencil eraser sized, dark, rug burn looking mark.
The ones I've had for years have been brewing for a LONG TIME. I've had some of them for most of my life I think? But I can't be sure. They look follicular. Actually all of them look like they have healthy hairs growing from them and if I pull the hairs they seam to be right in the center. They also seem to be all around the base of my penis, where the scrotum begins. Honestly, use to shave my pubes and I suspect these may have come from that. But now I don't know.
I also have 1 super small tiny bump that I can feel better than see on the shaft next to a flat similar sized discoloration, that I can't feel. I also have another two similar discolorations below the pencil eraser mark.
The ones I've had for years have been brewing for a LONG TIME. I've had some of them for most of my life I think? But I can't be sure. They look follicular. Actually all of them look like they have healthy hairs growing from them and if I pull the hairs they seam to be right in the center. They also seem to be all around the base of my penis, where the scrotum begins. Honestly, use to shave my pubes and I suspect these may have come from that. But now I don't know.
I also have 1 super small tiny bump that I can feel better than see on the shaft next to a flat similar sized discoloration, that I can't feel. I also have another two similar discolorations below the pencil eraser mark.
Ha Ha!
I think I need pics of said bumps to judge for myself. ;)...your trademark could be the same as speedbumps.
I am almost 41 and no so ready to give up my sexuality!
I am almost 41 and no so ready to give up my sexuality!
Actually you both are right. I am not really worried about the bumps on my penis, since I am not sexually active. At 51, and a road warrior, I don't have the opportunities a young guy like trusting gets. I realize having something you don't like on your tool for fun can be a problem for a young man, particularly eith so much more sexual opportunities than a middle aged man can have. I think if your bumps are not gone after four years, they are not warts. I probably had these bumps for many years. I am almost at the point of thinking these bumps are my unique trademark! And if I get lucky, I will cover them up with a condom. They are not unsightly and I cannot imagine women thinking tight away they are odd. They most likely won't notice.
I have read that warts can go away on their own. Even my doc suggested people don't treat warts til they get bigger than mine. I researched on my own and found that it is better to treat them when they are small because it takes less treatments. During the last three weeks of treatment I have seen some go and gotten new ones. Because mine are in my vagina they are going to be different than a mans, or so I assume. I just want them gone! :)
Did the doc biopsy the place you are talking about or just one of the bumps?
I also have cell changes in my cervix that are mild and the doc suggested I come back at 6 months for a repeat pap. I am hoping that these clear on their own and I require no treatment.
Soscared...I am a fellow hypochondriac and educating myself and others is how I deal with it! I have come to terms with HPV not being something I should fear. I know it's there and I wait for the day my symptoms are gone. Now I don't have to worry about getting the types I have, I just plan to try not to pick up others and repeat this process.
Did the doc biopsy the place you are talking about or just one of the bumps?
I also have cell changes in my cervix that are mild and the doc suggested I come back at 6 months for a repeat pap. I am hoping that these clear on their own and I require no treatment.
Soscared...I am a fellow hypochondriac and educating myself and others is how I deal with it! I have come to terms with HPV not being something I should fear. I know it's there and I wait for the day my symptoms are gone. Now I don't have to worry about getting the types I have, I just plan to try not to pick up others and repeat this process.
I wanna say go for the Biopsy, but I mine wasnt that bad and two doctors disn't even recognizing it as a wart. It was flat like a small rug burn and painless. I wonder if it would have gone away on its own. Since so many people have this thing I wonder if letting it go away and never knowing would have been a better outcome. Damn my hypochondria.
Thanx mags. Im 26. Could it be that the "thing" was just going away on its own? How do I find the best Dr. for hpv, It seems wrong to go back to a doctor that was so wrong. Urologist or Derm?
I have some bumps on my penis that the doctor was not definite about. I imagine I won't have sex before my physical next year, so I will just wait. I have the sense to have recorded pictures so I could see if they are still present. Had no sex for two years, and that was with a condom that certainly covered the bumps. I doubt if mine are warts.
You are reading content posted in the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
First take a deep breath and calm down. I know it is very scary to get the news that you have HPV. I just had the same results a little over a month ago. I was freaked out with fears too.
I commend you on forcing a biopsy! Trust the biopsy that you do have HPV. It took me 3 visits for a doc to confirm my warts, which I knew they must have been warts. I can't answer a lot of your questions nor can anyone here. You def need a doc for that. There are online sites that help find docs and will have patient recommendations. You can ask a doc you trust or if you have any friends/family you trust with sharing your HPV status. I have found that most people I have talked to either have had it or know someone. HPV is that common and you and I bascially just joined a club most people already belong to, or will.
As far as treatment, the biopsy will not cause issues, having partial warts left is ok. There are several options, acid the doc applies (I have my last of 4 acid treatments this coming Mon.), an rx you use at home (this is my next step), laser, surgery. I am sure others I have not listed.
Yes go back to your doc for treatment and ask him about the vac you got from your reg doc. I would assume there is no issue at all. It may in fact protect you from the strains it works with that you may not already have. There are almost 200 strains of HPV, about 40 are genital. High risk causes cell changes in some people, low risk cause warts. Many people get HPV strains and never have any symptoms. Because there are not tests for men they often never know. Once you pass the symptoms either on your own or via treatment you wait 3 to 6 months then assume you are no longer a risk of transmitting it to others. Once you have a strain you can never get it again. I may never again cause issues or you can have flare ups but it is rare once you pass it through your system to have later issues. The best thing is to always have your yearly doc visits. While you have warts you can easily pass them to others during sex. Condoms are not 100% effective and HPV is spread via skin to skin contact, not via fluids.
How old are you? I was told I am past the age limit for the vac.