"Normal" warts appearing on the genitals are rare, but it happens. I thought about bringing this possibility up in my initial post, but it seems to be in such the minority I didn't bother to. Typically if you find warts on your genitals and you are sexually active, they are most often venereal warts. Did your doctor biopsy the wart on your genital region to come to this conclusion? Just curious.
Interesting news...
Finally saw my Family GP and it turns out that the warts are actually "true" warts. Apparently they were transmitted through normal bathroom habits (I had the wart on my thumb) and I was given the traditional treatment for a "true" wart.
I also thought that you couldn't get a "true" wart down there, but apparently that is not the case. They are also less transmittable compared to the genital wart variety. Just thought I would share... (I had my PAP come back negative)
Not sure how to situate this conversation with the b/f (I am sure it will sound made-up) but I am glad to know that I am the one (most likely) responsible for inoculating myself!
Thank you empathy60 for your response. In a time of insecurity your advice was extremely comforting.
Sorry for not answering this sooner, I've been meaning to.
The wart on your thumb would not be caused by the type of HPV that caused warts on your genitals.
Condoms reduce HPV transmission, but do not protect the uninfected entirely. Chances are your boyfriend is infected already, and the infection may have even started with him if he's had other partners. I would notify your boyfriend of your infection, and if he has symptoms, he should see a doctor as well. The CDC doesn't advise that partners of those with active HPV infection be examined, unless they too are having symptoms. You should browse the expert forums for exact figures on HPV transmission with condoms. From personal experience though, I acquired HPV through one single, completely protected encounter. Though the risks were low, it happened.
HPV will eventually be suppressed to a non-transmittable state. The knowledgeable doctors in the expert forums have lots of great info put in a very scientific fashion, which may help when discussing this with your boyfriend. HPV is normal and everyone gets it at one point or another.