HPV

[giftedseer]

Eight years ago I noticed some small bumbs on both inner sides of my labia, leading straigt into my vaginal canal.  They were very tiny and flesh toned and  did not look like the regular genital warts . However my then doctor said it might have been genital warts. I went to another doctor who said that it might be a yeast infection.  I applied micronazole(?) and after several days, the appearance of the bumps improved.  They now look like flat beds of small, dried up moles. Recently based on the new HPV test, I was diagnosed  with HPV. I then asked my gyn to inspect my labia. She insisted that it was normal and that what looks like moles or dried warts are part of my normal anatomy. Furthermore, she said that it is the high risk type of HPV that I have, not the type that causes warts. I am not convinced. What is your opinion. Should I have another GYN look at it?

[Keith Downing, MD]

Hello,

It sounds like you have been counseled well on this issue.  If you want a definitive diagnosis ask your gyn to perform a biopsy to have the tissue examined by a pathologist.

Best regards,

Dr. Downing

[mayflowers]

Your gyn should be trained in what to look for so if you really don't trust her, get a 2nd opinion.  She is right that High Risk HPV doesn't cause warts but it can lead to abnormal paps and possibly cervical cancer.  Warts are caused by low risk HPV and that never leads to cancer.  Please note that all sexually active people will get HPV at some point in their life.  It's normal to have, you just need to keep up your paps in case there are any changes.  You don't say how old you are, but you might want to look into the vaccine too - it protects you from 2 high risk HPV's and 2 low risk HPV.  

HPV has about 200 different types of viruses and about 30 of them are STD.  So, the warts you get on your hands are not the same "type" as the warts you get on your labia and visa versa.