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I Might have HPV
I am a 20 yr old female, and I have been dating my boyfriend for 3 months. About a month ago, he told me that not long before we started dating, he messed around with a girl, and afterward learned that she had "STD's." However, he said that he used a condom. I didn't think much of it, and kinda blew it off. Until last night. I noticed two very tiny bumps that were kind of pointy, right below my vaginal opening. All night I was googling pictures and came to the conclusion that I have HPV (I know, you aren't supposed to self diagnose but I had terrible anexiety.) I was so freaked out that I didn't sleep at all last night, and I ended up going to an urgent care center this afternoon. When I got there, they took a urine sample to test for all different types of STD's. Then the doctor asked if I had ever had a vaginal exam, and I had not. So she did that, and once she found the bumps, she asked if I had ever had the HPV vaccine (I haven't). My heart sunk. Since she isn't a specialist, she said she can't tell me for sure if they are genital warts, but that it is a possibility. I made an appointment with a gynecologist for March 15th, but I feel like I'm gonna go crazy waiting that long. After all the research I have done, I realize that the warts are not indicative of a high risk HPV strain, however I am really scared that I have a high risk strain along with the low risk strain that seems to be causing warts...if that's what they are. The most confusing thing is that the internet shows hundreds of different things that are supposedly genital warts, and they all look different to me. The ones I have do not look like cauliflower, they are just single little bumps that protrude off the skin. Me and my boyfriend argued a little bit over this because I was convinced that he gave it to me, but then he pointed out that I could have given them to him because my ex cheated on me. I broke up with my ex last July so is it still possible that if I have HPV, it is from him? Or is it more likely that I got it from my current boyfriend who would have contracted HPV 3 months ago in December? I just don't know what to do and I feel like I'm losing my mind trying to figure out how I got this, or if I actually have it at all. My boyfriend has no symptoms at all, but from what I've read that isn't uncommon. It's also stressful that there isn't a test he can take to tell him if he has it. But I assume that since we have unprotected sex, he should have it too whether I gave it to him or he gave it to me. I guess I posted this because I'm in such a panicking state. I feel like the worst scenario is going to happen...like I'm going to have the worst strain of HPV and I'm going to get cervical cancer. I'm sad and angry at the same time because I'm not even a promiscuous woman, I have only had sex with two men in my life. I know it doesn't take much to get an STD, but I just don't understand why I might have this, meanwhile all these people are sleeping around with whomever they please, and don't have any STD's. I guess what I really want to know is: What are the chances of having high risk HPV? Is it just as common as low risk? Equal? If I have high risk HPV will I for sure get cancer?
I apologize for this pity party I'm having...I don't know if my reaction is normal or if I've just gone completely mad.
God bless whoever actually reads this long, chaotic post.
I apologize for this pity party I'm having...I don't know if my reaction is normal or if I've just gone completely mad.
God bless whoever actually reads this long, chaotic post.
Best Answer
yeah, they cannot be warts if they disappeared in a few days.
I don't mean to be a nuisance but since I have been taking my antibiotics for 4 days now, the bumps have disappeared. This would mean that they probably weren't warts, wouldn't it? They appeared a week ago, and now they're gone. I'm baffled. I have an appointment with the gyno next week so I'm curious as to what he will say.
Good. Yeah, you have the right attitude now. Be glad that you can get tested. Let us know what your pap results are.
One more thing: Stress is bad for this virus. Should you lower your immune system by not sleeping or stressing over things beyond your control or by drinking a lot, smoking a lot, etc, it can lead to more warts. So when you are in recovery, consider stuff like meditation, yoga, exercise etc to reduce stress. And should you need to have sex during recovery, the use of latex condoms will reduce the chances of more warts. Even if your sex is with your current partner. The most important thing in your life right now is RECOVERY. Not sex. Some people wait 2-12 months after all warts are gone before they have sex. Safe sex is better than un-safe sex during recovery but celibacy is what most people do.
One more thing: Stress is bad for this virus. Should you lower your immune system by not sleeping or stressing over things beyond your control or by drinking a lot, smoking a lot, etc, it can lead to more warts. So when you are in recovery, consider stuff like meditation, yoga, exercise etc to reduce stress. And should you need to have sex during recovery, the use of latex condoms will reduce the chances of more warts. Even if your sex is with your current partner. The most important thing in your life right now is RECOVERY. Not sex. Some people wait 2-12 months after all warts are gone before they have sex. Safe sex is better than un-safe sex during recovery but celibacy is what most people do.
Thank you for your comment. I have calmed down a lot since I posted this, but after getting my results back from the doctor, they found that I tested positive for gonorrhea. I got the shot in my hip, and I am on antibiotics now. I'm still not sure about the HPV and I won't know until my appointment on the 15th I guess. Or maybe not until I get the results of my pap. I also don't know if the gonorrhea could have caused the bumps? But more than likely I think they are warts. They are super tiny and they haven't grown at all, and I haven't gotten any more. So I don't know. Thanks so much for easing my mind though, I feel better knowing that my chances of having high risk HPV is low, and that even if I do have high risk HPV, my chance of getting cancer is still low.
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.
Unfortunately, condoms do not provide much protection (50% at best). The average timeframe for warts to appear is 2-8 months after being infected. So it could have been him or not? You cannot play detective with this virus and point to a single sex act and say that was the one, unless you saw an active wart on the man's penis when you had sex with a man.
Not only should you assume that he has what you have (whether he gets any warts or not), he may have infected you. Men are usually the carriers because they cannot be tested and assume they are "clean" because they don't see any visible warts. As for "all of these people are sleeping around", they probably have it too!. 8 out of 10 sexually active adults have it. Some don't know they have it. Some do but don't say anything. HPV is the common cold of STDs. If all you have is the low risk strain, its not a big deal. Your reaction is normal. Sorry for your pain.
Getting the vaccine before age 26 is always a good idea. But its meant for people who have not had sex. Speak to your doctor about it. There may be some benefits to getting it if all you have is the low risk strains. Good luck!