posted
I lurk and sometimes post, but I'm posting under another name 'cause I have a question of a gross and personal sort.
You have been warned.
I think I may have a genital wart (I'm a girl, btw). I'll schedule an appointment first thing Monday morning, but I'm kinda freaking out, so I thought I would turn here for some comfort. I know they're very common, and while the virus can't be killed they are treatable . . . but ewwwww!
Advice beyond going to my doctor?
Posts: 3 | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
Stay calm. From my understanding, they are eminently treatable. I'm just happy you're going to the doctor, too many people might not do so, out of shame. It's important that you do get treated, especially because of the link between genital warts and cancer. You'll need to be certain you have annual PAP smears if that's what it turns out you have (of course, everyone should have annual checkups anyway)
I wish I could help more. Just *hugs* and encouragement and do try to get in to see your doctor as quickly as possible.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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Also, under no circumstances should anyone do a Google image serach for HPV or genital warts because you will be scarred for life. I was trying to see if I was right in my self-diagnosis, and I have no idea, because all the images are very severe cases. Although I do feel slightly better about myself, now.
Interesting fact - I got my shot for the first round of Gardasil about two months ago, but had sexual contact prior to that, which it doesn't protect for. Posts: 3 | Registered: Oct 2006
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The HPVs that cause big ol' female warts are not usually the strains that cause cervical cancer. Those are more, um... bashful strains. Also, remember that gardisil only protects against three HPV strains, the three that cause 70% of cervical cancers. So most people are still fairly unprotected from the HPVs that cause most of the visible warts.
There are treatments, just talk it over with the doctor. I am not be up to date on what they are doing these days.
Posts: 1990 | Registered: Feb 2001
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Also I can tell you from (embarrassing) personal experience that they can go away without treatment never to reoccur. Don't freak out. You are already braver than I was as a young woman to even go get checked. Good for you!
Posts: 1319 | Registered: Jul 2005
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Thanks! You've been really helpful. I'm going to try to get in with a gyno instead of my regular GP just 'cause I figure they specialize in this sort of thing. And I can ask any other random questions I think of, and she should know.
And remember everyone: just because you don't have sex until you're over 18, always use condoms, have had very few sexual partners, actually date your middle class partners and know their siblings names and birthdays, etc. does not mean you can't get weird - stuff. Which isn't an anti-sex message at all, but just a be-mindful one. Posts: 3 | Registered: Oct 2006
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You know, it could be something else entirely. My sister thought she had a genital wart once and it turned out that she'd been to the beach a few days before and a piece of sand had gotten embedded in the top layer of skin and was irritating it.
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I think choosing to see a gyn is a good idea, I'd definitely want to see a specialist in a case like this. Again, best of luck, and good job on stepping up, being responsible, and taking care of this.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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posted
Gynecologysts probably do know more--but if you don't have one who already sees you, it can take some time to get in for a first time appointment. However, warts are NOT a medical emergency, nor even urgent, so it's perfectly ok if you have to wait a couple weeks or longer.
Posts: 1990 | Registered: Feb 2001
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