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Avatar universal

Feeling lost and in need of advice

Dr.,

Im 26 male w/ a sexual history of 5 partners. I am currently single & interested in starting a new relationship.

I began dating my ex last Feb. We both were tested for STDs and tested (-) for all. After 2 months of dating we had sex. She was allergic to latex & on the pill, so we decided to not use condoms. We had about unprotected sex 4 times; a close friend got pregnant even w/ bc, so we decided to use condoms again.

June 2008,  I began to notice subtle skin changes on the head of my penis & on the edge of the crown. The skin on the penis head & crown got bumpier--sandpaper like. The larger bumps are about 1mm in diam; bumps are pretty hard to see without a bright lamp. I have shown bumps to a NP at std clinic (Aug 08) & to my pcp (Nov 08). They didn't know what the these bumps were, but they probably are skin changes due to aging. Told me to stop worrying about it & if i am still really concerned that i could see a derm. Saw him (Jan 08) and was very pleased. He did a very thorough exam of my penis, even used a magnified glass. He was unsure whether the bumps were HPV related, but there was a spot that had 3 tiny bumps in a row. He thought these were suspicious, but not necessarily HPV. The derm offered to freeze the three and a some other bumps, to put my mind at ease. Has been 2 wks since the bumps have been frozen. Most of the bumps have been removed, but some are still there. To be honest, i am worried that this is HPV. I find it interesting that this bumps appeared a few months of having unprotected sex with my ex. I also found out my ex stopped using condoms with all 4 previous partners after being test. I have follow-up w/ derm on the 29th.

1. I read that a healthy immune sys. clears the virus in 8-10 mnths after treatment. Its almost 7 months since i have seen the bumps and they haven't changed. Is my stress preventing my body from fight?
2. Should i have the derm freeze every bump on my penis? Too excessive?

have a couple more questions...


4 Responses
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There is nothing wrong with your penis.  Do not have the HPV test.  Bad idea.  The tests offered for men have no regulatory approval by FDA (or FDA's counterpart in other countries) and, whether positive or negative, make no difference in someone's long term health.  You're going to get HPV someday and so is whichever sex partner(s) you might have.  It is a normal, expected, unavoidable consequence of sexual activity -- except for lifelong mutual monogamy, which is not a practical option for most people.

The only health problem reflected in this thread is the psychological one.  I'm glad you realize it.  Now be sure you follow through with your obvious need for professional consultation about it.

That's all for this thread.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Update: I saw the dermatologist and he doesn't think that they are warts. However, he doesn't have an explanation for them other than to say that penises sometimes look bumpy. I agree with him that my anxiety is causing me to look much too hard, but I know my body and these changes are recent. I just have a hard time not believing that these changes to my penis are not HPV related. I guess the lack of a definitive answer is what upsets me.

To be honest, the reason for my concern is that i have met a really amazing women these last couple months and i am worried that I may have the cancer causing HPV strains. We haven't had sex yet, but she is beginning to wonder why i am reluctant to do so. I really worry that--depending on my HPV status--I could infect her with it. I am originally from England and I have recently learned that they conduct HPV tests on men. I am thinking of getting the test done next time I go back to visit. I would really just like to know whether I have this or not. If positive, I also think this would be useful to be re-tested in a year or two to know when and if my body has fought off the virus.

Do you think this is a good idea? I would love to have your feedback. I prior to my last relationship, I was only with virgins so I was never really concerned with STDs (low risk), and sadly, now I have become fixated on HPV but i am getting help. I think maybe the media has made me more worried about this than i should be.

Thank you again
Helpful - 0
239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You have gone way over the word limit of 2,000 characters; you may not get around that by continuing your question in a comment window.  The forum moderators do not have time to read such long essays!  However, after quick scan I think I understand the issues.

The main thing is that no distant online expert can make a specific diagnosis, and also cannot compete with providers that have examined the patient directly -- especially when the problem is a skin condition and a dermatologist was involved.

1.  Ask your dermatologist the cause of the bumps.  If they were warts, he will know and will advise you accordingly.  But it is true that the immune system usually clears up warts and other HPV infections within several months, but it can take a couple of years.

2. Follow the dermatologist's advice.  If the bumps are warts, probably they should be treated as long as new bumps keep reappearing.  

3. There's no question here.  I agree you seem overly obsessed about this problem.

4. Again, follow your dermatologist's advice about whether or not you have HPV.  If not, there is no reason you cannot safely have sex with your prospective new partner.  I cannot comment on whether "aging" of your penile skin accounts for any of the "bumps" you are concerned about.

5. There is no reason you should not have the HPV vaccine.  You are correct that it does not yet have regulatory approval for use in men, but the preliminary data show the vaccine is effective in preventing infection in men (at least with the 4 HPV types covered by the vaccine) and regulatory approval will come, probably in a year or two.  But health care providers are free to administer any drug that is on the market, without regard to formal approval.  It should be possible to find a doctor or clinic who would immunize you.  Having said all that, I'm not sure you need it, unless it will help you deal with your obsession about HPV.  But utlimately this is a decision between you and your doctors.

Regards--  HHH, MD
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Avatar universal
3. I have started obsessing about this and have contacted a therapist to help me get over this. I am really just having a hard time not knowing whether i have this or not. I am the type of person who has to know and has a hard time not worrying about things.
4. I have met a really great woman, who is a virgin, and i dont want to give her anything. My ex an i stopped seeing each other in late Oct. I have also refrained from having sexual relationship bc of all of this. While i haven't been diagnosed with anything, i find it hard to believe that the penis skin can change like this due to aging and not HPV. I really just want to be responsible. I dont know what to do and need advice.
5. Do you know where i could get the HPV vaccine? I have tried to pay out of pocket but no clinic will give it to me since i am a man. Is it worth getting or should i not worry about it bc HPV is so common?

Thank you for your help. I know you both are experts in the field of ID and i value your opinion.  
Helpful - 0

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