I appreciate this service and your help in the past. Recently, I've developed a little more than a dozen molluscum lesions on my groin area (among my pubic hair) and on my penis after I cut myself shaving. The bumps are very small, not painful or itchy, some are redder than others and generally seem to be growing in number. Multiple doctors have diagnosed them as molluscum, but some have told me they need to be treated with cryotherapy or aldara or not at all.  I'm conclusively negative on all other STI's, including HIV and have had several heterosexual partners over the last year. I was able to get aldara from my PCP and will be seeing my dermatologist later in the summer.

1. Do you consider molluscum an STI?

2. Is there any real way of preventing its transmission? (I'm about to rekindle an old relationship and have informed my partner but we're unsure of what to do (whether to have sex or not). 

3. Would Planned Parenthood be a place to go for this. Also, just wanted to emphasize, this is not related to my previous questions. Thank you. 

I'll go straight to your questions.  

1.  Molluscum contagiosum is primarily a childhood disease.  The infection is spread from person to person through direct contact and it is presumed that the rough housing that occurs amongst children is a major contributor to MC transmission.  Since sexual contact also involves body to body contact, it is possible to transmit this virus through sexual contact as well but IF one choses to consider it an STI, it is a minor one.  Little is known about transmission efficiency but covering lesions until treated is probably wise.  

2.  There are no formal statements regarding transmission and prevention of transmission.  Clearly the best way to avoid potential transmission is through treatment which can be carried out using a number of different approaches.  

3.  Since the infection is relatively uncommon, some practitioners at PPH may be familiar with MC and its treatment but others may not.  There are a variety of approaches to therapy including freezing , lasers, curettage, and topical treatments.  Personally, if I wanted to get rid of the infection ASAP and had the resources, I'd see a dermatologist.

Finally, I would urge you to STOP shaving the area as this is likely to transmit the infection as you have already experienced.  Hope this information is helpful.  EWH