Genital Warts/HPV

[Suekins]

Obviously this is very embarrassing and I have gone anon to post.

My DP has what I think are genital warts. I've not mentioned it to him yet as...well I don't really know how to broach the subject. AF has saved me for the past week but I will need to tell him very soon I know, I have a few Q's before I do.

What does he need to do? Go to the family planning clinic? He has never been to our GP in all the years we've lived together, he won't know where to start. I don't think for a moment that he's been unfaithful. As I understand it this is a dormant virus - I am more worried whether I've given it to him as I have been treated for CIN3 since we've been together but I don't know if the same kind of HPV causes GW or whether it's a completely different strain . If I've not given it to him and it's the latter, will I have contracted it? I don't have them but we have had unprotected sex for years. I am due a smear next week so will mention this all to the nurse then.

I feel really bad for my DP, he will be mortified.

[CoteDAzur]

HPV strains that cause cervical cancer are not the same as those that cause genital warts.

If you don't have genital warts, you can't have given them to your DP.

[silverangel]

You can carry the virus and not have symptoms so yes, you could have passed it to him. Or, he could have caught it from someone else before and it has been dormant until now.

[BelaLug0si]

Hi
There are some conditions which aren't genital warts though look similar if you're still concerned then best to see GP or GU.

[CoteDAzur]

I don't know about someone with HPV forever being asymptomatic.

My understanding is that you catch the virus and you have the warts in a few months, or you defeat it quickly in which case you don't have the warts but you aren't contagious either from then on.

Depending on how long you have been together, I would demand some answers from your DP.

[kittyandthegoldenfontanelles]

I'm afraid that's simply not true, cote. It can lie dormant for years even decades.

[Suekins]

I really don't think he has cheated CoteDAzur. We've been together for 8 years.

He has had something on his penis for a while, I really can't remember how long and I thought was just a skin tag or something. But very recently it's changed in shape and another similar growth has appeared nearby, I googled (as you do) and the results point to GW. I don't know for a fact that is what it is. I need him to go get it checked, and was worried it might've been down to me and my previous problems. I guess if I am going to get it there's nothing I can do now either?

Fecking HPV. I will be immunising all my kids against it.

[AngelGeorgie]

HPV is one of the most common sti's it can lay dormant for many years. The virus can be passed even if no warts are visable to the naked eye.
If you want to get your girls vaccinated against HPV the vaccine will offer some degree of protection against some of the strains of the virus that are sexually contracted. ( think its 6,8 & ?? Are sexually transmitted strains) .
Your hubby needs to visit a sexual health clinic , we specialise in the diagnosis & tx of warts. As an earlier post said it may be Mollescum, blocked glands, skin tags, cysts or other skin stuff. If it is warts there's 4 main txs: ( well 5 ; leave the warts , they will eventually go without any tx) , liquid nitrogen, curettage, creams ( Warticin or Aldara)
Any visit to a clinic such as ours are totally confidential , free & fantastic tx , family planning clinics are good at what they do but not the specialists in sexual health.
Hope this helps... X

[AngelGeorgie]

Cote it does not mean anyone has been unfaithful or it means is 1 or both partners has had previous partners ( which is pretty much everyone!!!). The virus can lay dormant for many, many years (?20 off years) also the research is not conclusive as to wheter if no signs or symptons are displayed the virus has eradicated itself. The HPV tends to show itself when factors that affect the immune system are evident & the immune system is compromised. Ie; stress, being run down, illness, hormonal changes ie: pregnancy etc...
Pls don t assume anyone had been up to no good , quite often it's not the case at all xxxx
Hope you can resolve this ... Xxxx

[HappyHalloweenMotherFucker]

why hasn't he noticed himself ?

[kittyandthegoldenfontanelles]

Very informative post, Angel. What is tx short for? Obviously meaning treatment options but what does it mean?

[AngelGeorgie]

Tx = treatment . Sorry

[DarkCarnivalClown]

I would also add, just for the sake of being pedantic, that HPV can be transmitted without actually having intercourse, just from skin to skin contact, oral sex etc.

Condoms don't offer 100% protection from it either as it can infect skin in areas not covered/ protected by the condom.

[AngelGeorgie]

Too true Dark

[Suekins]

Thanks all. I spoke to him about it tonight, apart from being on the verge of tears he said "Yes, I know. I suppose I should get it looked at." So I'm guessing he was aware of it but didn't think to mention it to me. Charming.

He also wouldn't let me sort him an appointment at our local clinic, in case he's seen by someone he knows

[AngelGeorgie]

Everything that happens at our clinics are totally confidential. He could ask to sit somewhere private when he attends however, we get this a lot & it's quite frustrating to break down the stigma we are associated with as I say to pt's " it's not the people who attend you have to worry about its all the people out there sha**ing around who don t attend!!!" ( not saying you or your DH are!!!)
??? Time to threaten him with a withdrawal of conjugal rights?????? he does need to get it checked in case a biopsy is needed , just to check there's nothing else going on. ( not to scare you but sometimes it's needed) however, at the end of the day ; he's an adult & it's up to him ..... Good luck xx

[HappyHalloweenMotherFucker]

He sounds like an immature twonk,, tbh

[SeveredEdMcDunnough]

I think you can tell if they are what you think they are by dabbing a little vinegar onto them.

If they turn white apparently they are some kind of wart.

I don't know if this is just a myth though.

[swallowedAfly]

some odd misinformation on here. HPV is the cause of genital warts and the vast majority of women who CIN symptoms and treatment do so as a result of having HPV. as a woman you can have warts or inside your vagina that you'd never notice. you may be asymptomatic and still be a carrier and yes if you and your partner have been having unprotected sex for eons it is highly likely if one has it then both do.

something like a third (last time i checked, probably gone up by now) of sexually active adults carry HPV whether they've had noted symptoms or not.

you'll need to find your local GUM clinic and make an appointment or attend a drop in.

[CackleMeIAmYours]

My understanding is that you catch the virus and you have the warts in a few months, or you defeat it quickly in which case you don't have the warts but you aren't contagious either from then on

This isn't true, my flatmate at uni was diagnosed with genital warts and I held her hand accompanied her during her treatment.

The virus remains dormant, but you will have it for life and it can flare up again at any time.

Also, the strain of HPV that causes gential warts is the one that causes Cervical Cancer (in fact is thought to cause 97% of cervical cancer). My friend also now has annual smears because of this.

He is a complete arse for not dealing with this as soon as he realised. I'm not sure I'd be able to get past this TBH. Him having it is no big deal, but him passing the virus on to you is just completely unacceptable.

[swallowedAfly]

exactly.

genital warts is essentially a symptom, the 'disease' is hpv. and hpv is responsible for the vast amount of cervical cell changes believed to potentially lead to cervical cancer if untreated.

which reminds me, yet again, that i need to book a smear test because i have recurrent cell changes that need treated repeatedly. more than likely this means i have contracted HPV at some point despite never having had warts.

[Sarah919]

CackleMeIAmYours and swallowedAfly are WRONG. It makes me really angry when people give out completely wrong information on such important and emotive subjects, no matter how well meaning or well intentioned it is. You should check your facts first before imparting advice to vulnerable people. I am a GP and reading such misinformed medical information makes me realise why I have to spend so long reassuring patients scared stiff by something they've read on the internet.

Cervical cancer is caused by DIFFERENT strains of the HPV virus to genital warts. The vast majority of warts are caused by types 6 and 11, whilst CIN and cancer are caused by the high risk types 16 and 18. It is only if a woman has cervical changes due to the high risk types that she will need more frequent smears. It only takes a second on google for anyone to find this out, this is why there was all the controversy over the government choosing Cervarix for the initial hpv immunisation programme which only protects against type 16 and 18, now they have changed to Gardasil which also protects against types 6 and 11 i.e. genital warts.

Something like over 80% of women will have had an HPV infection at some time or other, most infections are cleared without any symptoms.

[swallowedAfly]

well you'll have to take it up with my consultant i'm afraid as i'm only repeating what i was told by her.

[BelaLug0si]

Sarah919 is correct, the HPV types associated with genital warts are different types to that associated with the development of CIN and cancer.
Sometimes people have multi-type infections. So it is possible to have low-risk and high-risk HPV infections at the same time.
The NHS cervical screening programme published this document on the aetiology (causes) of cervical cancer.
US government fact sheet on the different types of HPV and what they are associated with here
Swallowedafly not sure why your consultant told you that information. They may be were oversimplying a bit.

OP - it's good your DH has said he'll go, until he's been examined it could be several things. Good luck at getting him to go soon.

[Suekins]

Thanks for all the replies and Sarah919 for clarifying. I was looking into the HPV immunisation the other day as my DD is soon to have it, didn't realise they had changed to Gardasil - that is good news.

My concerns are probably heightened by my smear being due - when I had my abnormal cells treated my consultant told me they were caused by HPV. Strains weren't mentioned, and I am easily confused!

I have spoken to him about it again today, he is going to go to a clinic early next week and get it sorted out. We're having trouble finding a somewhere nearby though (live in the country). Our local Family Planning don't seem to deal with this sort of thing and the nearest place I can find that does is 15 miles away. I've made it very clear he HAS to get it sorted.