Possible genital wart & persistence of other warts

[Panzermeister87]

Hi everyone,

I recently had a small lesion at the base of my penis. Doctor couldn't tell what it was, too small. But he sprayed it with liquid nitrogen anyways.

I'm now very worried that it was a genital wart. I did ask a question on 'ask the experts' and it was said that it didn't sound like genital warts.

The reason I'm so worried is that I have persistent plantar warts (four years). I've had various plantar warts sprayed with liquid nitrogen. But they still keep coming back. I recently had HIV and other STI test - negative.

I'm now sick to my stomach about the possible genital wart because I'm terrified that I've got some issue which makes it difficult for me to get rid of warts. I've read that warts typically clear in two years, but the plantars are much longer than that. I also have OCD and other mental health problems, and this whole situation is driving me crazy because I can't even get a test for warts.

Does anyone have any insight? Thanks.

[auntiejessi]

It's a shame they didn't just biopsy the spot to tell you what it was.

It's very true about Plantar warts being stubborn - I had to get one cut off my foot that I had for years and couldn't get rid of.

Genital strains of HPV don't act the same as other strains of HPV, if that's even what this is. It's not that you have an issue that makes it difficult for you to get rid of warts - it's how they work.

Also, genital warts themselves don't usually take two years to clear - the virus itself does.

And again - we're talking as if this was a wart, which we don't know. The Ask the Experts folks are excellent if you got Dr. Hook or Handsfield - if they don't think it's HPV, it probably isn't. They are the best in the field.

Do you have a therapist? Psychologist? Now would be a great time to check in. :)

[Panzermeister87]

It was Dr. Hook. He said that the location o the lesion would be very unusual for a GW.

I trust his expertise, but I've also read other sources online that suggest that GW's can occur in such locations.

I am seeing a therapist now, but it's causing me a ton of grief.

Thanks for the reply.

[auntiejessi]

Listen, I would put my sexual health in Dr. Hook's hands. "Very unusual" doesn't mean impossible. He's not contradicting the other spots, just saying what he knows from decades of experience.

Therapy isn't easy. It's worth it, though. It won't get better without the work.

You can do it, though. Better now than years from now, when it's even harder.

You're welcome, and that's what we're here for. :)