Hi doctor I'm concerned about the possibility is having a genital wart. I had a partner who once was diagnosed with genital warts. I had been fully vaccinated with Gardasil prior to any contact with him or another individual and we did nt have sex when he had an active case. It's been 9 months since my last contact with him and because I'm paranoid and hyper-vigilant I took a magnifying mirror and noticed a tiny bump on my outer labia minora. It looks like a very small elevation somewhat similar to vestibular papillae which I do have as well. Scared that this was a wart I visited my dermatologist who preceded to examine the area as well as the rest of my vulva for any signs of warts. She used a dermatoscope to do this and stated that I had absolutely no signs of warts. I'm scared she didn't notice the specific bump I spoke about even though she looked thoroughly in the area I told her it was in. My anxiety keeps prompting me to think that she somehow missed it because the magnification was too high powered and maybe she focused on the wrong area. She never addressed what the bump specifically was but simply stated that some bumps are normal. I do know that whatever this is it isn't a fordyce spot. Should I return and have her look more thoroughly or would it be impossible to miss a wart with a dermatoscope? What about a very early developing wart?
2014-12-11 11:00:13
Hello Thanks for posting your query. I can understand your concern for the small bump on the labia minora. The quadrivalent HPV vaccine (Gardasil) prevents four HPV types: HPV 16 and 18 as well as HPV 6 and 11 which cause 90% of genital warts. Since you have had the vaccine before any sexual contact so chances of you getting the HPV virus transmitted due to these strains are very less. Hence it is very unlikely to be a genital wart although it is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations. This bump can be a small clogged pore or an ectopic sebaceous gland which are natural occurrences on the labia. However if you are apprehensive regarding the bump being HPV wart you can get it investigated. Usually genital warts are identified by clinical examination and by dermascope but confirmation can only be done by lab investigations. Genital warts can be confirmed by biopsy but Sometimes we can use an enhancing technique called acetowhitening. This technique involves the application of 5% acetic acid solution to the area of suspicion for about 5-10 minutes. Infected areas will turn white. Although it is not a reliable test but can be done at home. The specific test would be a biopsy of the small bump or a PAP smear. But biopsy is done usually if the diagnosis is uncertain. Hence get a PAP smear done initially. Hope that this information helps and hope that you will get better soon. Wishing you good health.
2014-12-11 11:09:29
