HPV Support Group
Human papillomavirus is a diverse group of DNA-based viruses that infect the skin and mucous membranes of humans. More than 100 different human papillomavirus (HPV) types have been characterized. Some HPV types cause benign skin warts, or papillomas, for which the virus family is named. HPVs associated with the development of such "common warts" are transmitted...
My experience began back in late September 2014 when I noticed some small bumps in my labia region. At first, I convinced myself that they were just from shaving, but when they weren't going away, I decided to get it checked out by my gynecologist. When I got the diagnosis of genital warts from HPV, I almost fell over--I had to lay down because I felt faint and I was crying uncontrollably. How could this be happening to me? I had just began a new relationship with a wonderful man and had only had one sexual partner previous to him (several months prior). I had gone through a whole slew of STD testing after my first partner. He was a heroin user with a long sexual history who I regularly had unprotected (other than OC) sex with during my relationship with him--poor judgement call I know. Everything came back clean. I was diagnosed with the genital warts (I loathe the word) about 2 days after having sex with my new boyfriend. My gynecologist told me that the warts were more than likely from my previous boyfriend.
My gynecologist put me on a regimen of Aldara for 3 days per week with a follow-up visit in a month. I showed no signs of improvement and marked irritation on my labia. She encouraged me to give it another month, which I did. No improvement to be seen. EXTREME and embarrassing itching combined with pain, bleeding, and more and more warts. I would wake up to blood stained underwear regularly from itching I had been doing in my sleep. I am now over the 3 months mark and I have still seen no improvement. I have resorted to the Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar home remedy which stung like hell. I noticed that all of the warts turned white and one of the smaller ones turned black (I'm hoping that is a good sign).
I am not able to get in to see my gynecologist until mid-January despite my extreme discomfort due to her booked schedule.
This diagnosis of HPV has given me a major blow to my self esteem. I cannot look at myself, use the restroom, change my underwear, let alone be comfortable with my boyfriend looking at me down there (despite him constantly reassuring me of how beautiful I am and how he loves me no matter what). I feel like I am less of a woman and tainted because of my diagnosis. As though I am carrying around this deep dark secret.
Currently, my boyfriend, my ex, one close friend, and my therapist are the only ones who know about my situation. I am far too ashamed to share this information with my parents. I feel that I have been let down by my gynecologist, as well, due to her lack of concern and seeming judgmental demeanor during visits with me. I feel like if my patient was calling me in distress, I would at least try to return her phone call personally. She also refused to let any other OB/GYN perform the acid treatment for the first time, despite her being unavailable for nearly a month.
Does anyone have any suggestions/encouragement/experience dealing with the self esteem issues that arise from having genital warts? Also, has anyone had similar experiences with their gynecologist?
My gynecologist put me on a regimen of Aldara for 3 days per week with a follow-up visit in a month. I showed no signs of improvement and marked irritation on my labia. She encouraged me to give it another month, which I did. No improvement to be seen. EXTREME and embarrassing itching combined with pain, bleeding, and more and more warts. I would wake up to blood stained underwear regularly from itching I had been doing in my sleep. I am now over the 3 months mark and I have still seen no improvement. I have resorted to the Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar home remedy which stung like hell. I noticed that all of the warts turned white and one of the smaller ones turned black (I'm hoping that is a good sign).
I am not able to get in to see my gynecologist until mid-January despite my extreme discomfort due to her booked schedule.
This diagnosis of HPV has given me a major blow to my self esteem. I cannot look at myself, use the restroom, change my underwear, let alone be comfortable with my boyfriend looking at me down there (despite him constantly reassuring me of how beautiful I am and how he loves me no matter what). I feel like I am less of a woman and tainted because of my diagnosis. As though I am carrying around this deep dark secret.
Currently, my boyfriend, my ex, one close friend, and my therapist are the only ones who know about my situation. I am far too ashamed to share this information with my parents. I feel that I have been let down by my gynecologist, as well, due to her lack of concern and seeming judgmental demeanor during visits with me. I feel like if my patient was calling me in distress, I would at least try to return her phone call personally. She also refused to let any other OB/GYN perform the acid treatment for the first time, despite her being unavailable for nearly a month.
Does anyone have any suggestions/encouragement/experience dealing with the self esteem issues that arise from having genital warts? Also, has anyone had similar experiences with their gynecologist?
Moral of the story - if your health provider isn't serving YOU - find a new one. It's your health. HPV is one of the most common, yet unsympathized issues - because it really doesn't have as severe of an impact as other STI's. Which is a blessing and a curse, bc i've found most med professionals to also to be lacking sympathy - they see severe herpes, and syphilis etc everyday. But it is true, we could have it so much worse. I like to think of it that way when I get down on myself :)
I'm a terrible patient because I always get the laundry list of symptoms that are listed for any/all medication. Reflux meds made most of my hair fall out! I was too scared to try Aldara because of all of the negative feedback, i'm sorry you didn't have a positive experience with it. I did use the ACV and it worked for me - once they turn black on you they should fall off - depending on how severe the case, they may keep coming back - but ideally they'll dissipate. The smell, pain, time needed etc. were too much for me. I went to my OB and asked for TCA (acid treatment) after reading up on it. My doctor also was emotionally unmoved by my diagnosis (said she had seen much worse than my 15-20 of them) and told me I didn't need to treat it - but at my request, she agreed to use TCA. She freaked me out and told me it would be very painful and kept telling me to brace myself, I was sweating bullets in anticipation. (mind you i've had plantar warts on my feet frozen before and it hurt like hell). TCA literally felt like nothing for me - I think scraping your knee would hurt worse. I had some on the internal areas that ACV couldn't reach - so I had her treat those ones in office - she only agreed to do 5 of them, and not all of them which had me bummed.
Procedure/healing was painless - and it jump started my immune system. Within 2 weeks all of them - in all areas, were gone! That was back in March. I also started working out 3 days a week and almost completely stopped drinking alcohol, started sleeping better, and drinking green tea/probiotics.
Try to stay healthy, stay POSITIVE, and don't give up or get discouraged. You need to realize you did nothing wrong, this doesn't lessen you, and you have to love yourself again in order to heal. A majority of outbreaks heal themselves after a period of time - you just need to find a doc that supports you and will try different treatments until you find one that works for YOU.
Good luck! :)
I would also wake up scratching at it. If I could change one thing about anything I've done it's the scratching because it caused the infection to spread. Still fighting the infection thanks to a compromised immune system. We've tried acid several more times, but my skin is super sensitive and got very irritated. So much so that she got concerned and did a biopsy for cancer of the vulva. After that came back negative, she switched me to condylox which I can apply at home. That took away all of my warts (very quickly) but the one that started the whole mess and another on the other labia.
I've had over a year to process this damn virus and it still upsets me. My best friend knows and I recently told a guy who has been trying to date me. I was sure he would run away laughing, but he hadn't.
I do wish this board was a little more active. But I imagine people most often get on here when there's a problem, so we don't hear from a lot of people who have found success. The post above is great advice. I need to start working out and eating better to help boost my immune system. I found (on this site) a drug from Activamune that has something called DIM in it. It's supposed to be really good for the immune system. I just started taking that along with a daily vitamin to help. Fingers crossed...
@Igotthis I read up on activamune as well and it does look promising! Since i'm not in an active outbreak i decided to save my $ to pay for my personal trainer and continue the supplements I currently take. Let me know how it works out for you! And yes, many people come to terms with their lives and realize it's not such a big deal (not taking anything away from it of course, been there too) or are symptom free. I spent many nights trolling through all the old posts - even if it's not that active anymore, there's comfort in knowing so many people that were once here are no more and are at peace or clear :) Happy New Year!
Update: I went back to my old gynecologist for one treatment of TCA treatment and am visiting a new gynecologist tomorrow 1/13/14. My old gynecologist basically told me that my only true option is laser surgery which is both costly and would require me going under anesthesia. This was before the one TCA treatment and after Aldara treatment. I am not convinced that this is the best route for me. I am very interested in cryotherapy as it has such a high success rate and is not painful.
Anyway, I saw someone mentioned about stress. I've recently been diagnosed with PTSD as a result of several traumas over the past three years. The most recent one was my toddler being diagnosed with cancer last December (2013). This was only three months after I was diagnosed with HPV. I had one wart until mid June or so and then they spread like wildfire (little bitty tiny ones, which is frustrating. If you're gonna be there, then BE there, ya know?). Anyway, it goes without saying that being a single mom of a 2 year old going through chemo (and now, thank god, just follow up scans) is more than stressful. Time to look into some relaxation techniques!