So embarrassed

[embarrasseddoesntcutit]

I'm so hideously embarrassed that I've name changed for this.

I noticed a lump on my vulva about 4 weeks or so ago, I'm currently 34 weeks pregnant. I thought nothing of it- in growing hair or spot or something. But it didn't go away.

So I started to fear the worst and made a drs appointment. As I feared, it's a genital wart! I'm absolutely mortified. I have never had a sexually transmitted infection before (and I've been tested after every new partner). But warts don't show up on tests unless you actually have a breakout, or it's the cervical cancer causing strains.

The dr told me it could have been dormant for years - good job as I've been with my husband almost a decade, we were both quite 'exuberant' in our youth so it's no wonder one of us picked it up.

I've now got to tell hubby :(

And before anyone mentions it, neither of us have cheated, I'm pretty sure of that!

Anyone any experience?

[Champagneformyrealfriends]

No experience but please don't beat yourself up over this. Sending hugs

[GoApeShit]

I don't have any experience either, but as champagne says, don't beat yourself up. These things happen. As you say it's not like you've been shagging around. Does pregnancy bring these kind of things out?

[KatyN]

My husband had genital warts before I met him. Got cleared up quite easily. But I think he was pretty humiliated at the time.

I am most impressed you could find your vulva at 34 weeks. Well done!!

[embarrasseddoesntcutit]

Dr said the virus can hang around for years and it's fairly common to get a flare up in pregnancy due to the reduced immune system. Shows my immune system must have pretty good pre-pregnancy!

[ALR123]

Meee! In exact same boat lovely. Am married and have been with husband 11 years. At week 18ish i noticed lumps and went to docs who referred me to the gum clinic.
Confirmed genital warts. I balled my eyes out! Felt horrible and disgusting but they confirmed what you said... The virus lies dormant for years and comes out when your immune system is massively suppressed ie. In pregnancy
They can only freeze them off. I am now on my 8th treatment (!) And I have 2 left (started with about 13) but they're confident they'll all be gone by the time baby comes.
She said that over 80% of women they treat for this are pregnant and they usually go anyway once you're not pregnant but I wanted them gone asap.
my husband was fine by the way... when I told him I had already screen-shotted various articles to back up I'd not been sleeping around and he was very understanding (although it did put him off touching me! ).
Please don't beat yourself up over it

[embarrasseddoesntcutit]

Thanks ALR. I've got to make an appointment with the GUM clinic, good to know what to expect.

I think hubby is expecting it- I asked if it looked 'wartish' as I can't see it except via a mirror and he said maybe, but didn't seem concerned, he's pretty laid back and trusts me.

I only have one (that I have found) so hopefully it won't be too difficult to treat.

[novemberchild]

I'm scared now. Are they really obvious? What to look for?

[Quicknamechange123]

NC for this!
I was in same position last year (2nd pregnancy!), noticed a couple of lumps, went gp, referred to gum and they were warts! I was really upset as never had anything but they can lie dormant and show up when immunity is low (much like coldsores). They froze off and only needed 1 treatment.
Pregnant again, and in early pregnancy got a couple around my anus (sorry tmi!), again froze off and had none since. A word of warning, the front warts didn't hurt one bit but the back ones- jesus christ! Still only needed one treatment though.
dh was fine about it! Don't worry. It's more common than you think x

[embarrasseddoesntcutit]

I've got an appointment at the GUM clinic on Monday so not too long to wait. I hope they can treat me there and then, I just want it gone.

[embarrasseddoesntcutit]

And thanks for the support and personal experiences, has made me feel much better.

DH was fine about it. He'd half expected it and was already pretty clued up on the whole low -immunity, can be dormant for years thing so wasn't too fussed and said it could as easily been him who gave to me as the other way round.

[Pippa12]

No words of wisdom just and hope you get sorted xxx

[embarrasseddoesntcutit]

So I had my appointment at the GUM clinic, I was the oldest person there by about 15 years! Saw the nurse, went through my sexual history (which considering I've been with husband for 10 years is pretty uneventful! She took a look and froze it off, though she thinks it's actually a skin tag and not a wart - she said she wasn't prepared give me a diagnosis of a wart as it's only one and was soft, not hard like GWs and I have gained a number of skin tags since getting pregnant - some quite big.

I'm pleased it's dealt with, whatever it was and the freezing off didn't hurt, just stung a tiny bit and I can still feel it now. Was told it would 'balloon and then fall off' but no time frames.

Thanks for the support guys, I'm glad it has been dealt with. Hopefully I won't get any more.

[embarrasseddoesntcutit]

So I had my appointment at the GUM clinic, I was the oldest person there by about 15 years! Saw the nurse, went through my sexual history (which considering I've been with husband for 10 years is pretty uneventful! She took a look and froze it off, though she thinks it's actually a skin tag and not a wart - she said she wasn't prepared give me a diagnosis of a wart as it's only one and was soft, not hard like GWs and I have gained a number of skin tags since getting pregnant - some quite big.

I'm pleased it's dealt with, whatever it was and the freezing off didn't hurt, just stung a tiny bit and I can still feel it now. Was told it would 'balloon and then fall off' but no time frames.

Thanks for the support guys, I'm glad it has been dealt with. Hopefully I won't get any more.