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Does this description/history sound like a genital wart (singular)?
Hi everyone, thanks in advance for reading and possibly answering my question. Years ago I was receiving laser hair removal on my entire brazilian area. After that, I began getting brazilian waxes.
About 2-3 years ago I noticed a small, round bump (smaller than the zero on most keyboards) that was flesh colored, somewhat firm to the touch (solid, not filled with fluid) slightly raised, but relatively smooth, not bumpy. My immediate thought was that it was a keloid/scar as a result of shaving and/or having the laser used on such sensitive skin every month for years. I didn't think twice about it until recently. It remained, unchanged, and singular, for somewhere between 2-3 years.
More recently I was due for my annual pap smear and HPV testing. I also opted for a full range of STD tests, including HSV 1 and 2. The pap came back clear, no HPV was detected (though I know they only look for high risk) and my STD test results came back clear. I have never had unprotected sex, and was given the Gardasil shots once they were approved by the FDA. I had never had sexual intercourse at that point, though I had performed oral and digital stimulation, and had received the same.
I've seen both a gynecologist and a PCP. After a pelvic exam, they did not find or see anything unusual. I asked my PCP about the bump, to which she replied "It's nothing! Sometimes we get things on our skin." She asked me what I thought it was, and I said a wart. She said she didn't think so, but it wasn't biopsied, so I can't say with 100% certainty. It is located on what I believe is technically the mons pubis, but at the very end of where the hair grows, about an inch to the upper right of my clitoris, on the labia majora.
I've read a ton about genital warts, looked at pictures that are "worst case scenario" and am having a hard time figuring out if what I had was a wart. My PCP cauterized it about 3 weeks ago, and there's a scar now, but it's healing fine, the skin is flat, I see the hair follicles returning faintly, and other than the discoloration, the skin looks normal. However, I hear there's a 3-6 month window of warts likely returning.
So, with all of that background information, my question is, does it sound like I had a wart? I've been sexually active and masterbate almost daily, never giving any thought to "spreading" the wart on myself, because, well, because I never thought it was a wart! As I mentioned, there has only ever been a single bump, and it remained that way for years. Neither of my sexual partners since it appears ever let me know they'd seen anything on themselves, though of course I know some people can be asymptomatic even if they've contracted a wart causing strain of HPV. I realize I should have had the growth biopsied, but I didn't, and now I just keep wondering and looking at article after article, picture after picture. Has anyone ever had ONE singular wart that didn't change or spread for 2-3 years, especially while shaving, waxing, and engaging in partnered and solo sexual activity for years? And if it doesn't sound like a wart, what could it be? It wasn't an ingrown hair, it wasn't a pimple, and it stuck around for years, so it doesn't seem any sort of "blemish". My moles tend to be darker than my skin, rather than flesh colored, and the base was rather wide, instead of the usual slim stalk you'd see on a skin tag. My doctor says "probably not" to the wart, but if not, then what what it?
About 2-3 years ago I noticed a small, round bump (smaller than the zero on most keyboards) that was flesh colored, somewhat firm to the touch (solid, not filled with fluid) slightly raised, but relatively smooth, not bumpy. My immediate thought was that it was a keloid/scar as a result of shaving and/or having the laser used on such sensitive skin every month for years. I didn't think twice about it until recently. It remained, unchanged, and singular, for somewhere between 2-3 years.
More recently I was due for my annual pap smear and HPV testing. I also opted for a full range of STD tests, including HSV 1 and 2. The pap came back clear, no HPV was detected (though I know they only look for high risk) and my STD test results came back clear. I have never had unprotected sex, and was given the Gardasil shots once they were approved by the FDA. I had never had sexual intercourse at that point, though I had performed oral and digital stimulation, and had received the same.
I've seen both a gynecologist and a PCP. After a pelvic exam, they did not find or see anything unusual. I asked my PCP about the bump, to which she replied "It's nothing! Sometimes we get things on our skin." She asked me what I thought it was, and I said a wart. She said she didn't think so, but it wasn't biopsied, so I can't say with 100% certainty. It is located on what I believe is technically the mons pubis, but at the very end of where the hair grows, about an inch to the upper right of my clitoris, on the labia majora.
I've read a ton about genital warts, looked at pictures that are "worst case scenario" and am having a hard time figuring out if what I had was a wart. My PCP cauterized it about 3 weeks ago, and there's a scar now, but it's healing fine, the skin is flat, I see the hair follicles returning faintly, and other than the discoloration, the skin looks normal. However, I hear there's a 3-6 month window of warts likely returning.
So, with all of that background information, my question is, does it sound like I had a wart? I've been sexually active and masterbate almost daily, never giving any thought to "spreading" the wart on myself, because, well, because I never thought it was a wart! As I mentioned, there has only ever been a single bump, and it remained that way for years. Neither of my sexual partners since it appears ever let me know they'd seen anything on themselves, though of course I know some people can be asymptomatic even if they've contracted a wart causing strain of HPV. I realize I should have had the growth biopsied, but I didn't, and now I just keep wondering and looking at article after article, picture after picture. Has anyone ever had ONE singular wart that didn't change or spread for 2-3 years, especially while shaving, waxing, and engaging in partnered and solo sexual activity for years? And if it doesn't sound like a wart, what could it be? It wasn't an ingrown hair, it wasn't a pimple, and it stuck around for years, so it doesn't seem any sort of "blemish". My moles tend to be darker than my skin, rather than flesh colored, and the base was rather wide, instead of the usual slim stalk you'd see on a skin tag. My doctor says "probably not" to the wart, but if not, then what what it?
Anyone? Thoughts?
You are reading content posted in the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Community
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STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
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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.
