HPV genital warts

[ashley960]

Hello. Well about a month ago, I noticed a few bumps on my thigh near my vagina. I wasn’t really concerned until after 2 weeks and they still hadn’t disappeared. I decided to get them checked out by my doctor and she had told me they were genital warts. Basically, my doctor didn’t act like it was a big deal. She didn’t really recommend any other ways in getting rid of them besides taking Folic Acid. I have been taking it for about 2 weeks now and have not noticed any difference, except maybe more warts have appeared. I know that is such a short time to expect them to go away, but more are popping up and to me, it doesn’t seem like the Folic Acid is doing anything. My questions are what is the quickest and painless way in getting rid of them? When should I expect them to be gone? I know HPV is common and most everyone gets it, but how common are genital warts? Once the warts are gone, what are my chances in having more show up in the future? A week after I was with my last partner is when I started noticing the bumps. Can I assume that he gave it to me? When the warts are gone, is it ok to have unprotected sex and not tell my partner? When I went to the doctor, I also had an HPV test and my results came by negative. Is that usual to have negative results but still have HPV genital warts? Should I stop drinking alcohol if I want faster results? Lastly, I only had 2 out of the 3 Gardasil shots. Does that make any difference in contracting HPV or do I have to have all 3 for it to be affected? Any answers will be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  You have a lot of questions about HPV which I will briefly try to answer but to be honest, before you do, I would suggest a second opinion as to whether or not these are warts.  Warts do not respond to folic acid therapy and there are many effective and relatively rapidly active treatments.  I would suggest you check with your OB/GYN unless that's whom you've already spoken with. If that's the case, then I'd try your local STD Clinic. They should be expert in dealing with these problems.

I will address your questions assuming that they are warts although I think they may not be.
1.  Many therapies for warts are available, ranging from topical treatment with podophyllin or bi-chloracetic acid, to laser therapy, to freezing with liquid nitrogen (the latter is probably the method preferred by most).  They respond quickly to therapy but response depends on what sort of therapy is used.
2.    Common. 10-20% people, at least, get genital warts at one time or another and this estimate is probably low
3.  Following treatment warts recur about 20-30% of the time and require re-treatment.
4.  A week is too soon for you to have gotten these from your most recent partner.
5.  We tell clients that if warts have not returned in 3 months you can be confident that you are no longer infectious for your partner.
6.  It would be unusual to have warts and not have a positive HPV test.
7.  You should go on and get your last HPV vaccine shot.  Having had two makes it still more unlikely that what you have noted is HPV but it can happen

Finally, for more information on HPV, I suggest you check out the web site of the American Social Health Association.  it is excellent and has lots of information (disclosure- both DR. Handsfield and I are on the ASHA Board of directors).  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The brownish material was most likely podophyllin which is a commonly used, effective therapy for genital warts.  I would not use the Aldara the next day as both the podophyllin and the Aldara cause inflammation and the two together might be uncomforrable.  I'd wait for  a week, just as the doctor has suggested.  EWH

[ashley960]

Hi, I have one last comment to make on this. I went and had a second opinion and it turns out I do have genital warts. Also, I mistakenly thought my pap smear and tests all came back negative but I actually got a call about a week after I posted this that my pap smear was abnormal, which I'm guessing is what caused the warts. Anyways, the doctor applied some type of brownish liquid on to the warts and I had to sit and let it dry for 5 minutes. She told me to leave it on for 4 hours and then wash it off. She said if they did not go away after a week then use Aldara cream that she prescribed me. My questions are, by the way I described it, do you know what the brownish liquid she used is called and is it THAT affective that the warts could be gone in one week? Also, could I use the Aldara cream the day after she applied the brownish liquid? These will be my last questions and thanks again!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your OB is incorrect, there is no need for you to repeat the entire series again.  Studies show that all you need is the final injection if you have already had the first two.  EWH

[ashley960]

My OB/GYN is who I had spoken with about the warts and the same day I had an HPV test. She also told me that since I waited too long for the last HPV vaccine shot, that I have to get all 3 over again. Is that not true? Although I don't know what else this could be, I'll definitely get a second opinion. Thank you so much!