Hello, I am 41yo straight male that has had several partners in my life, one known to have HR HPV with a LEEP procedure done before my partnership began with them, which ended over 15 years ago. I assume I have been infected with HPV strains given my history.In a mongomous relationship for the last 5 years. I recently found (i think) a skin tag in the pubic hair/groin/abdomen region in an area of skin fold.It seems to be a standard, lone, thin skin tag, skin color, with a stalk shape. I will be seeing a dermatologist to verify this. I have read here on and online studies about some research connecting HPV to skin tags.  

I doubt wart, but given it is in the genital region, what concerns for an actively shedding HPV 6/11 infection? I have never had warts before, so I have always hoped I perhaps didn't acquire that strain, but last partner over 5 years ago, so would shedding be recurring aftter 5 years?  My partner and I have talked about our sex history but she never really gotten into the dirty details of STIs, like I have.  I am not sure how much concern/further disclosure/anxiety I should communicate with her with this new issue. 

In this study:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6246066/

The conclusion states: Data from our study confirms the presence of HPV DNA in skin tags, suggesting the possible role of these viruses in their development. On the other hand, the lack of viral transcripts could indicate a latent infection by HPV

Could this be taken to mean that a dormant, noncontageous HPV virus could be at least partially responsible for skin tag growth, but is not an indicator of viral shedding?  Do you have a general stance on HPV status and skin tag concerns? When I see the dermatologist, should I request a pathology given the location, or if the dermatologist is confident that this is a skin tag, is visual diagnosis accurate? 

You do not mention your or your partners vaccination status.  In your case, if you are not vaccinated, you can be confident that you have one or more HPV infections and they may well be quiescent at this time (short of biopsy/testing there is no way to tell).

Our general status is that skin tags and HPV infections are separate, unrelated processes.  When you see the dermatologist I would suggest you discuss your concerns with him/her.  Otherwise, personally I would not be concerned.  EWH