[Question #14051] Genital Warts
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2 hours ago
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About 3 years ago I noticed a bump in the genital area and thought it could be a HPV wart. I consulted a couple of medical professionals and couldn't get a definitive answer. A few months later I saw a dermatologist who removed the bump using liquid nitrogen, although he didn't say exactly what it was either. Since then I haven't noticed any other bumps. But about a month ago, I noticed a bump in the same area that I had the first one. I'm scheduled to have a biopsy taken of the bump to determine exactly what it is. But if in fact it is HPV, I have a few questions:
1. Since noticing the first bump 3 years ago I've had 4 sexual partners, the last of which I've been in a monogamous relationship with for 2 years. We don't use condoms during sex. Can genital warts be transmitted with no symptoms present? Like I said I haven't noticed anything since getting the first bump removed 3 years ago, but would it be possible to transmit the virus with no visible warts?
2. I'm pretty sure she has received the HPV vaccine. How likely is it that I could pass genital warts on to her if she is vaccinated? Does it make a difference if visible warts are present?
3. I know most people are able to clear HPV within 2 years. If I do in fact have genital warts and it's been 3 years since noticing the first one, could I still be able to clear the virus? Does the likelihood of clearing the virus go down if it takes longer than the usual 2 years?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
35 minutes ago
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Welcome back to the Forum. Thanks for your continuing confidence in our service. Several of the questions you ask are questions that I've responded to in our prior interactions. I wonder if these continuing concerns are a manifestation of the OCD that you've acknowledged in the past. I suggest that you review our past interactions- those answers have not changed. I also presume that your biopsy will be performed by a dermatologist- that will go a long way towards informing you as to what is going on. I should also add that it would be unusual for a wart to recur after being absent for several years.
In response to your specific questions:
1. HPV can be present and transmitted without lesions. The absence of the lesion you had treated 3 years ago makes transmission somewhat unlikely.
2. The HPV vaccine provides 95-97% protection from the two HPV types that cause nearly all warts. If she's vaccinated and IF (you do not know!) the lesion you've noted is a wart, her vaccination is likely to prevent infection in her.
3. Visible warts can persist longer than two years. That is not the case for you as your lesion went away after treatment. I also suspect that your biopsy will remove your lesion. I suggest you wait until you know what you have.
I hope that this information is helpful. I encourage you to be mindful of your OCD and not go down the "rabbit hole" of "what if...." questions. See your doctor and once you have his/her diagnosis, we can move forward from there. EWH
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