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conflicting information about penile pimple
6 months ago, I noticed a small, circular, flesh colored bump on the top of the head of my penis. When I was erect, the pimple looked more whitish. It would not pop, so I know it was not a pimple.
I saw my family practice doc who said it was nothing. It persisted for several weeks so I saw an NP at Planned Parenthood. She said it was either nothing or mulluscom, and would go away by itself. She said no need to tell partners once it was gone.
After a few more weeks, I went to a dermatologist. He said it looked like a flat wart, but wasn't sure w/out a biopsy. However, he did not think a biopsy was needed, and suggested cryotherapy. He said I would not be contagious after healing.
This treatment reduced the size but didn't get rid of the thing. I went back to the derm office and saw derm number 2 (first derm out of town). She used more cryo. She said she could not diagnosis given non-virgin state of lesion, but did say when it was gone and the wound healed, I would not be contagious.
Cryo was successful and wound healed. Derm wanted to see it after healing, so I went back. Both derms looked at the spot, declared me fine and non-contagious. That was 3 1/2 months ago.
My question is an ethical one. I was recently asked by a new partner if I have ever had an STI. I said no, but realized later that the truth is I don't know. NP said not HPV, derm said looks like flat wart. I feel confused why he would say it looks like a wart, but that I am not contagious. I have read online (asha site) that one can be contagious after successful cryotherapy. On the same site they have a video of a doc who says if you had HPV symptoms but that was in your distant past, you don't need to tell a sexual partner about the HPV.
Help me sort through this one. I have had 3 health prof (not including family practice) say I am not contagious. Am I just obsessing, or is there a need to tell partners (esp one who asks if I have ever had an STI) about this incident?
Thank you!
I saw my family practice doc who said it was nothing. It persisted for several weeks so I saw an NP at Planned Parenthood. She said it was either nothing or mulluscom, and would go away by itself. She said no need to tell partners once it was gone.
After a few more weeks, I went to a dermatologist. He said it looked like a flat wart, but wasn't sure w/out a biopsy. However, he did not think a biopsy was needed, and suggested cryotherapy. He said I would not be contagious after healing.
This treatment reduced the size but didn't get rid of the thing. I went back to the derm office and saw derm number 2 (first derm out of town). She used more cryo. She said she could not diagnosis given non-virgin state of lesion, but did say when it was gone and the wound healed, I would not be contagious.
Cryo was successful and wound healed. Derm wanted to see it after healing, so I went back. Both derms looked at the spot, declared me fine and non-contagious. That was 3 1/2 months ago.
My question is an ethical one. I was recently asked by a new partner if I have ever had an STI. I said no, but realized later that the truth is I don't know. NP said not HPV, derm said looks like flat wart. I feel confused why he would say it looks like a wart, but that I am not contagious. I have read online (asha site) that one can be contagious after successful cryotherapy. On the same site they have a video of a doc who says if you had HPV symptoms but that was in your distant past, you don't need to tell a sexual partner about the HPV.
Help me sort through this one. I have had 3 health prof (not including family practice) say I am not contagious. Am I just obsessing, or is there a need to tell partners (esp one who asks if I have ever had an STI) about this incident?
Thank you!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
HPV is a complex issue and your additional questions cannot be answered in the sort of comments appropriate in follow-up. Take a look at the thread linked below, and in the other threads linked there. These should answer most of your remaining questions:
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/HPV-concerns/show/1819004
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/HPV-concerns/show/1819004
Final questions: if it was hpv, am I contagious as long as the virus stays in my body? Does a condom help prevent transmission if lesion was on my penis head? Given all factors, what is your take on ethical obligations to tell a partner? Thanks very much.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm glad to hear it has cleared up. The time it takes HPV to clear up entirely, either with or without treatment of visible warts, isn't known with precision. My usual advice is that if warts have not recurred by 6 months, the virus probably is gone and unlikely to be treated. But it could be as short as 1-2 months or as long as a year.
Hi Dr. Handsfield,
The issue is that the lesion - treated by cryotherapy 4 months ago - is now gone and healed. So I believe diagnosis is impossible at this point.
If it was a flat wart, and all traces of it have been gone for 3.5 to 4 months now, can I give HPV to someone else?
thanks,
ME
The issue is that the lesion - treated by cryotherapy 4 months ago - is now gone and healed. So I believe diagnosis is impossible at this point.
If it was a flat wart, and all traces of it have been gone for 3.5 to 4 months now, can I give HPV to someone else?
thanks,
ME
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the STD forum. Thanks for your question.
As you can imagine, a distant online expert cannot make a definitive diagnsosis based on written description. However, the news is good with respect to herpes. Herpes lesions always heal completely within 1-2 weeks (certainly within 3 weeks) of onset. A single lesion, lasting as long as yours has, almst certainly isn't herpes -- and your description of the lesion doesn't suggest herpes either. Based on what you say, and at least one dermatologist's opinion, a flat wart -- cuased by HPV -- seems a reasonable possibility. Howver, there are numerous other skin conditions of the penis that could be doing on here.
My advice is that you seek one final consutation, this time with a dermatologist likely to have very extensive experience with genital warts or other penile skin lesions. For example, a deramatolgist in an academic medical center would be a good bet. Alternatively, ask whichever of your current dermatologists you respect most to refer you to anohter dermatologist with special experience in this area.
In the meantime, you can be confident that herpes isn't the main problem, and probably not HPV either. When all is said and done, I anticipate you'll end up with a simple diagnosis and the condition is not likely to be harmful in either the short term or the long run.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
As you can imagine, a distant online expert cannot make a definitive diagnsosis based on written description. However, the news is good with respect to herpes. Herpes lesions always heal completely within 1-2 weeks (certainly within 3 weeks) of onset. A single lesion, lasting as long as yours has, almst certainly isn't herpes -- and your description of the lesion doesn't suggest herpes either. Based on what you say, and at least one dermatologist's opinion, a flat wart -- cuased by HPV -- seems a reasonable possibility. Howver, there are numerous other skin conditions of the penis that could be doing on here.
My advice is that you seek one final consutation, this time with a dermatologist likely to have very extensive experience with genital warts or other penile skin lesions. For example, a deramatolgist in an academic medical center would be a good bet. Alternatively, ask whichever of your current dermatologists you respect most to refer you to anohter dermatologist with special experience in this area.
In the meantime, you can be confident that herpes isn't the main problem, and probably not HPV either. When all is said and done, I anticipate you'll end up with a simple diagnosis and the condition is not likely to be harmful in either the short term or the long run.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
