Living with Genital Warts

[Arf]

I apologise for raising a topic which I'm sure has many times been discussed in the past. I've searched the forums quite extensively and read up pretty much everything I can, but I'm still interested in some more views.

As of September last year, I believe I have genital warts. I basically have 1 wart which is recurring. I've been to the GUM clinic a number of times. The first time they gave me the blue Warticon solution which I dabbed on 3 nights a week. After a number of weeks, the wart disappeared. I was a happy man.

A month or two later it was back with a vengenance. It was not particularly big, but it was visible to me, especially when my penis was of different sizes. I went to GUM, they couldn't see it and gave me the all clear - telling me I was free to have unprotective sex if I wanted (but safe sex was still advised). On return home, I could still find the wart. I used Warticon on it again. It vanished. Then it came back.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago. I went back to GUM and told them the story. I also told them I thought that blue Warticon ink was pretty terrible to use. No problem they say - we'll freeze it off. They do, I leave and am content finally the damn thing has gone. The area that was froze swelled, went pink then gradually skin began to reform over it. However, maybe a month and a bit from that day - that area of my penis is still very pink and noticeable. I have since identified what a consider to be another wart - however it's hardly noticeable and I'm pondering whether to get it looked at or just ignore it. The chances are they wouldn't be able to see it anyway or treatment would irritate it and make it worse than it is.

There's my backstory which I guess people might find useful to know of, my questions are as follows:

Is my penis likely to be permanently scarred from the freezing treatment? If not, how long should it be before I can no longer notice where the affected area?

Does anyone feel it is worth Warticoning / going to get the smaller one frozen also?

Finally - I don't know how to go about my sex life anymore. I think KNOWING you have the virus is actually worse than any warts. I've been single for a while now - most of the women I meet are on night's out. Pulling the old "oh by the way I have genital warts" card out as things get serious scares the hell out of me. I don't feel I can do it. How do you others get by? I find it bizarre that my doctors go by the consensus that if the warts are gone you're safe whereas I've read people on here have been told their partners have had warts up to 4 years on from the break out. I really could do with some advice on how to not be afraid of sex anymore...

[Lanaleexx]

Hey Bud!

It’s okay you feel this way... I’m a lady here and i feel it’s sucks BIG time...  my doctor told me that it wasn’t a big deal because more than 80% 90% of sexually active people have it ..  but I wasn’t willing to hear that ..  obviously anyone who gets diagnosed with it it is not willing to hear that ******** ...  if you’re willing to talk more you could message me ..  I know it could be hard especially getting diagnosed with it early ..  there are lots of things that you can do and I could help you if you would like .. I read on those a lot so I know quite a bit ..

[courage5677]

I was diagnosed with Hep B way back in 2013 when I was supposed to donate blood to my nephew. It was normal to do laboratory check on my blood hence it was found out that I’m reactive to the illness. I’m very depressed and demoralized since this disease has been unacceptable just like the unpopularity of AIDS. I was so nervous that I’ve got ashamed to talk with other people onward, so my mom subjected me to series of tests so that damage to the liver may be traced. The doctor told me that; YES i am chronic carrier, i was so depressed was thinking of committing suicide, till i came across a forum on internet, about MED LAB TEC who cured various diseases like Hepatitis B, Herpes, liver fluke HIV and others, without wasting time, i contacted them and i get medication from them and after the days given to me, I just went back to my doctor and they also carry out the test again, and i was negative of Hepatitis B. Please contact this MED LAB TEC if you are hepatitis B positive or any kind of diseases herbal medicine are indeed best remendy; their email is: medlabtec(AT)mail(DOT)com whatsApp him on Mobile: [phone]. Beware of copyright to this authentication.

[vz8376]

I've had an outbreak of genital wart I've told my boyfriend and he said it was ok but our sex life has changed I'm scared I'm about to lose him I'm going to the dr to see what can be done but I have no health insurance n no money reading some stories here have given me hope but it was so hard telling my boyfriend I cried and I was scared not sure ill ever be able to do that again I think I'm going to stay single if my boyfriend breaks up with me I love him but its not his burden to carry

[Er_Gourav123]

See I'm a 22 years old boy with the same problem and what I feel you should not treat it for around one or one and a half year. After 2 years it may happens that hpv symptoms will go away on it's own. If not then also your immune system must have reduced the virus load from your body. So, what my doctor suggested is to treat it late because they want to see whether it is going away on it's own or not. I too had to leave my GF as she was not having this and my suggestion is to you please don't spread it anymore find a suitable partner from STD dating site. It's tough to leave your partner but as a responsible person you should. Choice is yours !!! tc

[itssofluffy]

I found out I had warts about 4 months ago. At first they were tiny. Smaller than a pin head. I got them frozen and thought that would be the end of it.. this didn't become the case... they didn't remotely improve.. infact they got worse. So again I got them refrozen.. and they also done some other treatment which I can't quite remember... and well safe to say they are still bad, but now there are more. They're spreading. I'm 18 years old and have been with my boyfriend for nine months so far. I haven't slept with him since I found out, and I'm too scared to tell him. I feel embarrassed. I'm 18 and should feel comfortable around him and feel comfortable in my own skin. Now I feel dirty and permanently unconfident. The main reason I'm scared to tell my boyfriend is because what if he accuses me of cheating?  I've never cheated at all.. and he's so paranoid about being cheated on because of his past... I don't want to lose him and I think he'd run a mile if I told him. Has anybody found that their warts have gotten worse after treatment?

[mannymaniac]

I was diagnosed with genital warts a couple weeks ago. I am a little shaken by the whole ideal. It sucks. I had unprotected sex one time and I got it. I always used condoms and was always careful of STDs and pregnancies. Im a male and all of the information, I'm learning is mainly about women. This makes me think I know who might have gave it to me. I guess I had it coming. Its good to read of other people's war stories. I've told my friends I had it and they seem to be understanding. It awkward having to talk about it at the fear of people running away. My doctor haven't gave me any information. He saw it. Told me it was genitals then walked away. What am I supposed to do with that! My future endeavors will definitely be different knowing I have genital warts. I guess everyone has their baggage, but genital warts is not temporary. It ongoing and I have to deal with.

[fred1211]

I caught this **** from a ******* hotel bed at age 12 and have had it ever since. I don't particularly enjoy having sex and hoping that my partner doesn't notice the tiny white spots all over my dick. Pardon my french by the way, but this pisses me off more than anything. I want to get evaluated soon but I don't know how to tell anyone.

[cardz123]

question: does white distilled vinegar help identify warts?
.

[abbyok]

You do meet the right person. My friend has had genital warts for years and she has had two serious partners during that time, both who didn't have warts. She practiced safe sex with both of them and told her current partner 6 months into the relationship. I don't agree with not telling your partner before you have sex but in her case he didn't mind. He was shocked but they are still together years on.

The point is it's hard to cope with knowing you have this STI but it's not the end of the world. I'm sure you will meet someone but you just have to wait for the right person to come along.

[LarryKlein]

Hi guys, I was unsure if the lump on my pubic area was a HPV WART. When I did all my research online it said to put vinegar or apple cider Vinegar on the lump and if it turns white than it isa genital wart. This happen 2 weeks ago. I found my self getting depressed and in shock because I am not a very sexual active person. I felt as if it was all over in some way when i read that once infected you will be infected forever. I then did more research and discovered that yes the virus may live inside of you, BUT if you take good care of your IMMUNE SYSTEM you can kill the virus, and by maintaining your health and system it would not have the strength to recover and become live again. I NOW TAKE MULTI VITAMINS 2 A DAY EVEN THOUGH IT SAYS TO TAKE ONE AND I ALSO EAT "CHAI SEEDS" (it contains omega 3 potassium and iron) I also eat bananas and try to consume AS MUCH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES  ON A DAILY BASIS. A 20 min work out daily is also very helpful  to the immune  system. To GET RID OF THE WART, I soaked Apple Cider VINEGAR on half of a cotton ball, Placed the cotton ball on the wart and slept with it over night. The next day when I took it off My Wart was White UP UNTILL it dried up 30 mins later it was black. I took a show and REPEATED THe SAME method and when I woke up and removed the tape with the cotton ball soaked in Apple Vinegar it Looked BIGGER, MORE IRRITATED, AND BLACK.  I assumed i made a MISTAKE  and it was going to Spread. I went in to panic mode and went to do more research on any website possible I was up for 3 days until Approximately 10am.   I read that that was normal and was supposed to get worse when treated before it got better. It has been a week since i started treatment and I clean the area and the dead wart daily with Peroxide Daily and it is now a very Small DEAD BLACK TINY WART. I could pull it out but Letting it fall off will assure you that it will be officially DEAD. IT IS A HUGE RELIEF TO SEE IT AT ITS FINAL STAGE GOING AWAY. THIS WHOLE EXPERIENCE MAKES ME WANT TO STAY HEALTHY FOREVER AND GIVE Y BODY SOME SORT OF EXERCISE TO MAKE SURE IT WONT EVER COME BACK AND THIS IS ALL A WAKE UP CALL TO TAKE CARE OF MY SELF, CUT DOWN ON CIGARETTES AND ANY DRUGS. I did not find not one article that gives all this information, SO I had to read everything out there. I NEVER thought i would deal with this or go through such a horrifying time. AN HPV IS THE MOST COMMON STD AND IS TRANSFERRED FROM SKIN TO SKIN CONTACT. SO A TIP= WEAR A CONDOM AND KEEP YOUR BOXERS ON TO ANY SKIN TO SKIN CONTACT.
I DO NOT KNOW IF THIS WILL WORK FOR FEMALES BUT IT WILL WORK FOR MEN. IT MAY STING BUT BE A MAN AND KILL THE VIRUS BEFORE IT SPREADS. I HOPE THIS INFORMATION CAN RELIEV READERS WHO ARE INFECTED.
TO CHECK IF IT IS A WART APPLY VINEGAR 3 TIMES EVERY TEN MINUTES AND IF IT TURNS WHITE IT IS A WART. BE ADVISED SOMETIMES THE TEST WONT BE VALID AND WONT TURN WHITE IF THE WART IN FLAT AND VERY VERY SMALL(smaller than the red tip of a match). AGAIN THIS IS VERY COMMON TO HAVE DO NOT FREAK OUT . 50% OF SEXUALLY ACTIVE PEOPLE 16-28 YEARS OLD ARE INFECTED. AND 70% OF WOMAN BY THE AGE OF 60 WILL BE INFECTED. THEIR ARE 100 DIFFERENT TYPES OF HPV STRAINS. THE ONLY DANGEROUS AND RARE STRAIN WILL CAUSE CERVICAL CANCER. DO NOT HAVE SEX OR MASTERBATE UNTILL YOUR WARTS ARE GONE!!!!! HOPE THIS HELPS GIVE YOU PEICE OF MIND AND ACTUAL UNDERSTANDING OF THIS COMMON BUT DISTURBING VIRUS.

[cami87]

im so wih u on this, got diagnosed 2 days ago and have been freaking out, found this site 2hrs ago and feel much better, still not sure how to tell my partner but i dont feel dirty and alone anymore! :)

[sgva]

I don't know how you've handled this during 5 years, but I can tell you this:
I have just been diagnosed with HPV; my bf has it, but hadn't shown symptoms in the last 4 years. His tests all came clear and doctors told him he could have unprotected sex. However, we always used condoms and were very careful and, somehow he has passed the virus to me. I had already taken 2 of 3 shots of Gardasil and still got it. I cannot understand a thing!

[thelastmeddler]

I keep hearing that two years is the magical timeframe that warts will be removed, is this the case for most of you? I have GW and am not knowing how to live life anymore with the idea of infecting someone. I've read that this causes women cancer, and I don't want to pass this along or cause such a horrendous thing. I've had this for roughly a year and am only now getting treatments as I thought it was due to shaving. My condition is they are very very small to the point they don't resemble warts and have had doctors use magnifying glass to view them. I was at one point removing them of my own(not wise decision) as I thought they were like typical warts.Cutting them off only spread them(again i know people do dumb things when frustrated).. Im at the point were I don't know how to live life anymore knowing that I have these on my penis. Its very embarassing to talk about, and am on here since my family and friends don't have any advice to give. Has anyone had any success stories or recommended treatments,medicines etc? Im running on my last straw here and don't know how to proceed given my case. I've seen three doctors now. I've had cyro treatment once but they came back. All i want out of life is to live a normal life and to be accepted by a woman i love, but fearing this will only push others away. I really need advice on this as I'm now dealing with depression due to this. I would like things to workout some how. All the support that can be given is deeply appreciated.

God bless

[SkaterDave]

Well, that is one reason why they say you may still be contagious even if no warts are present.  In my opinion, warts are never too small to see.  We know our penises too well for that.  I'm no expert though in the science of what's happening at the time and at that cellular level to tell you how transfer occurs between outbreaks.  

Regardless, your body is still dealing with it, so you can still bank on the statistical outcome that in no more than two years from your first discovery of warts, you will be wart free.  If six months and more go by after your last treatment, i'd consider myself past it if I were you.  

I also like the idea of using Podophyllin after treatment as well.  It F's up the skin cells on the surface of your skin so any cells containing the DNA are destroyed. At least I believe that's how it works.  You can look it up to be sure.  I had it applied after my last outbreak a couple years ago and I never had any again.  Timing?  Probably. But I still think it's another wise precaution to take.

[MichealDavid]

Since my first episode, which was pretty apparent and very noticeable, I have had 3 recurrences, but of a much smaller but numerous variety and in different areas than the original occurrence. My concern is that even if I have this most recent recurrence taken care of, isn't possible that there will be warts that are too small to see or that will possibly be missed that will not be treated? Will this extend the amount of time my body requires to clear the virus or will they resolve on their own?

[SkaterDave]

Your doctor is misinformed.  Not every doctor keeps up on HPV knowledge.  Technically he may be right however.  From what I can tell with all my readings, it might be something like chicken pox.  Do you have the pox virus for life?  If you do, does it matter because you can't get it again nor can you transmit it.  It's like that with the HPV virus I think.  Your body will completely suppress the activity of the virus in about a year, not more than two years for almost everyone who has it.  If you get pregnant, have HIV, or undergo chemo someday, there is a chance that HPV can reactivate when the body is severely taxed like that.  But otherwise you will be free of it.  HPV is a virus and everyone's body is different, so there are only broad generalities of typical HPV infection cycles.  These cycles are statistically common so the chances of you falling outside these stats is quite slim.  

For you, you need to ascertain how long ago you were diagnosed.  What kind were you diagnosed with?  If you had warts and had them removed each time you experienced a new outbreak, you should be able to consider yourself over it after six plus months with no breakout.  With high-risk HPV, I'm less clear, but the same six months is probably viable.  You should not feel guilty.  

[abcdefg281]

are you sure it goes away after a few years? my doc told me i'd have it forever

[abcdefg281]

Im in your same state! im 21 too andi really like this one guy, i've had a boyfriend since i was 15 and now i finally can go out and experience other men but i feel so guilty i never do anything with any of them.. i know if i tell them they'll either judge me or just never talk to me again.. and i dont want them to be stuck with this like i am.. everyone says its so common so its not relaly a big deal but it is to me.. idk what to do.

[Greenlove1389]

Thanks vandy. I've actually been reading up on it these past few days, I've been driving myself nuts reading about it. I read some articles that said your body will clear it after about two years but the virus stays with you. I asked the last person I was with, and she said her papsmere came out fine so, I'm hoping she's being truthful. You are right though, I really shouldn't be freaking out if I don't know yet. I'm going to go get checked tomorrow. I will give an update of my results when I get them. Thanks, your words have put me at ease a bit :)

[SkaterDave]

New's Flash Greenlove:  In the years since someone told you that you have HPV for life, science has found that you don't.  It's a transient infection in most people who get it and over time your immune system fights it off and you are clear of the virus.  So even if you do have it, there is nothing to worry about. It will go away.  Also, know that HPV is the single most prevalent sexually transmitted infection out there and the majority of sexually active humans will get it at some point in their lives.  It's nothing to be ashamed of.  

Having said that, you don't even know you have HPV warts.  Just go to a doctor or dermatologist and get them looked at.  

[Greenlove1389]

I am 23 year old female, and I think I may have HPV. I've only ever been with three people my entire life. I was with one for five years, and after we parted ways, I was very depressed and became involved with two people. After the last encounter, I realized I wanted more to life than just random sexual encounters, and I vowed to remain celibate until I found that special guy. That was four months ago, and recently, I noticed these bumps. I have not gone to get checked because I don't want to hear the news. Now I feel like my vow to celibacy means nothing because either way, I have a std that will never go away. How do I deal with this? How do you keep going, and believing that you will find the right person after this?

[cannonballz]

dude i think i got em....an it sucks...girls call me every day wantin to go out....i have to invent bs situations to avoid them, cause inevitably sex would follow, and I cant look at another beautiful naked girl again and tell her, "no sorry"....so much loneliness....an so ashamed...how to live "normally?"....

[Bonnettt]

Five years later and your story is so similar to mine that reading your post I almost thought that I had wrote it.  How are things going now?  I would really appreciate a response and update on how things have been going with you.

[Adnap_grl]

Ive had the same problem for 3 years... I just get to know the person. Observe their character and if I feel I can trust them, I tell them... I havent been turned down yet and I just started trying to date for the 1st time in 4 years. Idk how its gonna go but at least the stress of confiding s will be worth it for once . Just, be positive, nearly 50% of people betw 18-30 already have a form of hpv n most dont know it. Its way more commom than you may think. You are more than your ailment so make sure you let your personality make up for it and take care of yourself. Your confidence and honesty will make all the difference.