Genital warts not going away/getting worse after treatment

[girl333]

Hi. I posted this in another community so sorry if this is a repeat for you, I'm new and wasn't sure where to post! Please don't be put off by the long post, and if you think you could help me please read it. I'm really confused and upset about this condition.

I first noticed a few warts just below the entrance of my vagina about two months ago. I had cryotherapy and those warts went away quickly but soon afterwards, many more appeared. I have since had three more treatments of cryotherapy every two weeks or so and unfortunately the situation is just worsening. I trust the doctors and nurses that they know what they are doing as they must see these problems extremely often, but this is really getting me down and I would be so happy if I could at least see an improvement. I especially feel awful for my boyfriend, who is being fantastic about the whole thing but would obviously prefer it not to be there. We haven't had sex since the warts appeared despite the fact that the doctor said there was no reason to abstain. This is mainly because we thought they'd be gone by now and we thought sex surely couldn't do the situation any good. However it is getting to the point where we just don't know how long this is going to last, and if it keeps getting worse I might not be physically able to have sex so we are considering having sex soon. My boyfriend fingered me yesterday for the first time since the warts appeared and I'm sure they've got worse since then - be it to do with that or not. I'm just so confused because my doctor is telling me one thing and my body is telling me another.

I apologise for the long message, I suppose my main questions are 1. Is it normal that my body is not only not responding to cryotherapy at this point but also the warts are getting worse after treatment and 2. Is it really for the best that I avoid sexual contact until the warts have gone or will it really make no difference to them?

Thank you

[gracefromHHP]

it's a nuisance but just keep going back to have them removed.  best of luck!!!

[girl333]

Oh right. Everything is fine regarding that, I keep my boyfriend completely informed about this. The bigger concern is how sex would actually affect me because obviously we both want the warts gone as soon as possible. Also in your experience what do you think is actually the best treatment for warts? Taking into consideration that I have been very unresponsive to cryotherapy after four goes.

Thanks

[gracefromHHP]

herpes doesn't change things, just gives you both something more to discuss for precautions together for sex.

[girl333]

All other testing done and negative however I have had herpes outbreaks before, does that change things? Thanks

[gracefromHHP]

odds are you got these from him even if he can't recall any symptoms. the timing is about right.  

did you two cover your other std testing too? was herpes testing included?

[girl333]

We've been together 3 months, not had sex for about 2 months though. Do you think having sex now would make my warts even worse?

[gracefromHHP]

not too unusual at all to be getting more warts even though you had the first two removed. it's a pain but just keep going back to be seen monthly and if they see any warts they can remove those too.  

how long have you been with your bf?

grace

[girl333]

Thanks for the response. I keep reading that the immune system is a really important factor but I'm unsure as to how to boost mine as I never smoke, hardly drink, exercise every day and eat healthily. The only thing I'm stressed about is the warts so I guess it's a vicious circle. As for the sex, the main issue of mine is not that my boyfriend will contract it as I have also been told by the doctor to assume he has it, but the way the warts could spread during sex or get worse due to friction. I've been told this wouldn't be the case but what do you think about that? It's definitely possible for us not to have sex if that's what's be necessary, it's just that the doctor told me we can and that's what's confusing me. We had planned to wait until the warts had gone but as they've lasted so long and have shown no improvement we just have no idea when that will be.

[veryworried420]

1. Most people respond better than you. Are you smoking cigs?  Drinking alcohol? Not exercising? Not taking vitamins that boost your immune system?  Not getting enough rest or sleep?  Not eating healthy?  Stressed?   If any are true, then this is probably why your body is not clearing it,

2. Assume your BF has it too.  Normally, people avoid all sex until the warts are gone. If this is just not possible anymore, then he should wear a condom until they are gone. It is proven that condoms use may result in less re-occurences. When gone, he can go back to unsafe sex since he has it too by now.