Warts or scarring?

Sexual health
1
I'm in my late 40's and was exposed to HPV about 24 years ago from my ex-husband but never had a breakout of warts. I think I am now though, and I'm freaking out! I saw my PCP last month and she said the areas in the pics were not "alarming" but I'm still worried. Do these areas look like warts? I tear VERY easily due to a vulvar condition I have called lichens sclerosis, which can cause tearing and scarring. I say this because each of the areas shown, is where a tear used to be, or where I tear over and over and then I scar up. If it is HPV, why a breakout now, 24 years after exposure? HELP!!!

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2

Dear WhatIsThat,
The two smaller white circles on the right of the first photo highlight some warty growths that are likely to be genital warts. HPV can persist for longer in certain circumstances; e.g. in patients with chronic conditions (diabetes, on steroids or immunosuppressives, HIV infection) or if the skin itself is affected by a chronic disease +/- topical steroids (as in your case possibly).

I suggest you request your GP to refer you to a gynaecological oncologist and ask them to consider getting these areas biopsied- to confirm the diagnosis but also to exclude a complication of chronic HPV, vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN).

Rgds,
Adhari

3

I’m more concerned now that you mention this can stick around due to HIV or some other issue. I have taken the OraQuick HIV at-home test twice in the list 5 months and both have been negative, AND I’m on Truvada for PreP - now I’m freaking out the tests could be wrong, because other than being fat, I’m otherwise healthy.

4

you might have just contracted it from a new partner in the past 2 years (or your partner and gave it to you).

5

I just got back from the OB/GYN - they said its definitely condyloma, along with the LS tearing. They put some sort of acid on the areas in the office and I go back in 2 weeks for follow-up. They also said it was most likely a dormant infection from my ex-husband and I am experiencing an outbreak due to being immuno-compromised or high levels of stress. I am freaking out now & did ask if I should be retested for HIV, although I’m on PreP, and they said no, it was most likely stress. I’m very scared right now and don’t know what to think.