HPV?

[7kunkela]

Doctor, I am very concerned..recently (the beginning of Feb) I noticed a small growth of skin in the area between my vagina and anus. I can move it around and its kind of in a triangle shape..i've been with my boyfriend for 2 1/2 years and as far as I know faithfully. we were also both virgins. also, bedsides the one growth I  have these little bumps that are on the bottom entrance to my vagina. I have had these since at least december. but these come and go. for awhile they were completly gone, only to return when we began have daily sex. I thought nothing of these before considering I had then when I had a pap done in December..if they were genital warts would low risk hpv have shown up on my pap? I figured this is from little tears that healed.. but what really concerns me is the growth. I would love to hear an expert opinion. thanks.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

With you and your BF both being virgins and monogamous, your situation is one of the few when I can say with confidence that the areas you describe are  unlikely to be HIV.  Furthermore, warts do not come and go as you describe.  There are many skin folds and skin tags which can occur in the genital area around the bottom of the vagina or between the vagina and the rectum.  If either of you had had sexual contact with others prior to your current relationship warts would certainly be a possibility but even so would really not be something to worry about.  HPV is the most commonly acquired STD.  Over 85% of sexually active women will have HPV infection at some time in their lives.  In some HPV will cause genital warts, in others it will not cause warts but may lead to changes in PAP smears.  In nearly everyone who gets HPV, warts or otherwise, the infections will resolve by themselves without therapy in 8-10 months.  In a very small minority of women, HPV infection can persist and lead to the pre-cancerous lesions that PAP smears detect and which can then be treated.

In your case, warts in the location you describe might not have shown up on your Pap smear.  My advice is, if this concerns you, go see your gynecologist and have him/her take a look.  At that  time would be a good time to discuss receipt of the vaccine to prevent HPV infections.  It is highly effective and well tolerated,

The topic of HPV and genital warts is a complex one.  I will try to provide some facts.  For addition information on this most common of STDs, I would suggest search for other HPV- and wart-related Q&A on this site, as well seeking addition information on sites such as the American Social health Association web-site (disclosure, Dr. Handsfield and I are both on the Board of ASHA)..

Hope these comments help.  EWH

[7kunkela]

Thanks for your quick reply. I went to the doctor today and she looked at my bumps and said she is about 95% sure that they are hpv..she said its nothing to worry about but im more concerned about my BF, he has yet to show any symptoms but is it very likely he will? she also said that after about 2 years I should no longer be contagious and most liklely the virus will be gone? I was just curious as to how much truth there is to that? Also, would it be possible for my BF to never get the warts and yet have his body become immune, and get rid of the virus?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

If they are warts, and they may well be, i agree with your doctor that they are nothing to worry about.  they can be treated with a variety of medications that your doctor can provide and should resolve with treatment long before 2 years.  Following resolution, if they do not recur in 6 months, you need not worry about them further.  In the meantime, condoms are a good idea to prevent possible transmission.

As for transmission to your BF, while it is a possibility and something that you would prefer not to happen, should it, as your doctor and I have already said, it is not a big deal.

Finally, I would re-state my recommendation that you get he HPV vaccine.  just because you have had one type of HPV infection does not mean that you cannot get others.  

EWH