Issues with genital warts and remedies

Posted By Sad (L'pool, Mersey, Uk) on 11/20/2012

Hi everybody, just firstly would like to say this is a great site and I am so relieved to of found it. I really need some help and advice on best course of care. I had GW 18 years ago (aged 21) (I suspect courtesy of my ex) which came out when I was pregnant and had them removed sugically after my daughter was born. 18 years later, happily married to new partner I have had an outbreak which was initially 2 warts, one on lip at opening of my vagina and other underneath vagina to the side! I hung my head in shame and went to my local GUM clinic who prescribed me Aldara & referred me to a Gynae due to some skin discolouration. Gynae visit was positive as he thought he could remove the GW's and scarring from deliveries surgically.

I started the Aldara and the GW's came out in full force so much so I now have them internally. I freaked out when I discovered them internally as it initially appeared on the inside of my vagina on the 'wall' as a piece of scalloped skin (like edging of lace) which doubled in size in a matter of 2 weeks. I went back to the Gynae and he wasn't so optimistic on this visit. He confirmed that they had increased and wasn't sure if he could now remove them successfully as he is concerned that the skin may break down due to the infection which means the infection would / could possibly redevelop within the scar tissue. He said that the surgery would go ahead but may need to consider alternative methods of excision. I was so upset that I really didn't ask all the right questions except for is it cancerous?? He said he did not know and would do a biopsy as he seemed surprised that the Aldara was not working. (It does say that this can happen on the info in the box).

My surgery is in 2 weeks and I discovered this site and tried the ACV/Aspirin paste which to my amazement has dramatically reduced the size of the one below my vagina! However as I suspect my skin was so tender from the Aldara cream (which I had to stop using due to the discomfort even though I used it sparingly and only 3 times a week as instructed) I am now left with very tender skin and open wounds below.

I guess the only positive in all of this is my last smear (3 years ago) was clear. I have even put of my smear (now 6 months overdue) beacuse I just can't bear the thought of anyone else seeing these things down there.

I would really appreciate your help, I wish now that I had never tried the Aldara and am even considering postponing my surgery to heal (probably not wise though). I really need advice on how to heal this area as quickly as possible for surgery and how best to keep it clean. I work full time so I need to be able to care for this in work too. I have tried Sudocream which soothes it but I am not sure if the skin will heal with the cream on and being moist from the cream all the time?

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Replied by Despondent (Liverpool, Mersey, Uk) on 01/11/2013

Hi everyone, I wanted to update you on my original post. After having a surgical excision of the area, a biopsy was performed and unfortnately has come back as Stage 1B vulvar squamous cell carcincoma. I now have to have 2 further surgeries, one to remove a wider area which still has suspicious lesions and then a month later to have groin lymph nodes removed. Please people, make sure you get a professional opinion before going down the road of treating something that might not be what you think it is. I am totally supportive of trying natural cures etc so long as it is what it is. Please please get checked and if you are happy that what you are treating is GW then you can decide your treatment plan. Take care x
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