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Genital Warts for 10 years
I'm not sure why I never bothered to ask these questions before now but I suppose better late then never.
I have what appears to be a single genital wart just below the head (male), I've had it since I was 16-17 or so. I was vaccinated growing up but couldn't tell you for sure what I got, middle class family so I got vaccinated once every year / six months in the 90s. I went through five years in the military with this without any problems, I passed all medical screenings and received all vaccinations standard at the time. I've been out of the military for a few(1-2) years and still in relatively good condition, I don't have high blood pressure or (as far as I know) any genetic propensity for any large health risks. I also can confirm I do not have diabetes (military tested on entry and release).
Partner wise I didn't have sex for the first ~5-6 years of having it, nor did I have any sexual contact to include oral. I didn't notice any change once I started having sexual partners after, I was always careful to wear a condom though. I only am bringing it up now because I was asked today by my doctor (routine yearly visit) when the last time I had an HPV vaccine was and if I had one in the military, when I couldn't tell him (I didn't keep great records with the amount of vaccines we got for various deployments and such) he made me another appointment to see him to get a sample and a few other things.
This single wart has never grown in size, become sensitive, multiplied, or shown any sign of "life" for lack of another way to put it. Its small enough that if I didn't look for it (underside of the head) I wouldn't see it at all. I'm not overly concerned with another appointment to receive an answer but am wondering what this could be? Surely a wart cannot just exist for a decade?
I have what appears to be a single genital wart just below the head (male), I've had it since I was 16-17 or so. I was vaccinated growing up but couldn't tell you for sure what I got, middle class family so I got vaccinated once every year / six months in the 90s. I went through five years in the military with this without any problems, I passed all medical screenings and received all vaccinations standard at the time. I've been out of the military for a few(1-2) years and still in relatively good condition, I don't have high blood pressure or (as far as I know) any genetic propensity for any large health risks. I also can confirm I do not have diabetes (military tested on entry and release).
Partner wise I didn't have sex for the first ~5-6 years of having it, nor did I have any sexual contact to include oral. I didn't notice any change once I started having sexual partners after, I was always careful to wear a condom though. I only am bringing it up now because I was asked today by my doctor (routine yearly visit) when the last time I had an HPV vaccine was and if I had one in the military, when I couldn't tell him (I didn't keep great records with the amount of vaccines we got for various deployments and such) he made me another appointment to see him to get a sample and a few other things.
This single wart has never grown in size, become sensitive, multiplied, or shown any sign of "life" for lack of another way to put it. Its small enough that if I didn't look for it (underside of the head) I wouldn't see it at all. I'm not overly concerned with another appointment to receive an answer but am wondering what this could be? Surely a wart cannot just exist for a decade?
The vaccine came out in the Summer of 2006. I doubt the military gave you the vaccine. You can't get it now if you are over than age 26. Bravo on always using a condom.
Based on what you wrote, it is probably not a genital wart but you need confirmation from a dermatologist. If your skin doctor thinks it is a wart, then ask for it to be removed via a cream or via freezing it off. If you do freeze it off, ask for it to be biopsied so you know what it is or isn't.
A wart never goes away. It never changes size. If not removed, a wart will remain with you forever. Also realize that the absence of visible warts does not mean you don't have HPV. The high risk for cancer strains do not produce warts. Since men cannot be tested for HPV and since condoms provide 50% protection against HPV, most men do not really know their sexual health with regards to HPV. Genital skin is everywhere (buttocks, scotum, thighs, penis, etc). And the condoms never cover the base of a penis.
Good luck and report back what your dermatologst says.
Based on what you wrote, it is probably not a genital wart but you need confirmation from a dermatologist. If your skin doctor thinks it is a wart, then ask for it to be removed via a cream or via freezing it off. If you do freeze it off, ask for it to be biopsied so you know what it is or isn't.
A wart never goes away. It never changes size. If not removed, a wart will remain with you forever. Also realize that the absence of visible warts does not mean you don't have HPV. The high risk for cancer strains do not produce warts. Since men cannot be tested for HPV and since condoms provide 50% protection against HPV, most men do not really know their sexual health with regards to HPV. Genital skin is everywhere (buttocks, scotum, thighs, penis, etc). And the condoms never cover the base of a penis.
Good luck and report back what your dermatologst says.
You are reading content posted in the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Community
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