Q2A
Got an enquiry ........
what does it mean when you have like warts/little lumps on you vagina ?
This is our reply.......
Hi zimps, thank you for your enquiry.
Although we cannot diagnose what these little lumps may be, as we are not medically
trained, if they have recently developed we strongly recommend you get checked over by
your GP. Any noticeable change in your body, particularly the development of lumps
should always be checked.
If they are warts as you describe, then these are known as genital warts. They are the
most common sexually transmitted viral infection in the UK, particularly in women 16 to 19
years old. Genital warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), which makes
cells grow unusually.
Genital warts can be passed from one person to another during sex and by skin-to-skin
contact with someone who has the HPV virus. The virus can remain in the body and be
passed on before they are noticeable, or after they have disappeared.
Warts can be external or internal. In women, warts can be found on or in the vagina, vulva
(the lips around the opening to the vagina), cervix and anus. Sometimes the virus can be
passed on just by close intimate contact. You can't get genital warts from hugging,
sharing baths or towels, from swimming pools, toilet seats, cups or cutlery.
Genital warts appear as small round lumps on or around the vulva, upper thighs, cervix,
vagina or anus. It can take several months or even years after infection for the warts to
appear. However, many people with the virus don't develop warts and you may not know
you have the infection.
It's important that you see your GP if you have any symptoms or visit your local GUM
(genito-urinary medicine) or young person's sexual health clinic. Your GP may refer you to
a sexual health clinic for specialist treatment.
There is now a programme running to inoculate young women against the HPV virus.
Check out whether you have had the inoculation, it would have been through school, and
if you missed it, or did not have it for some reason you might like to consider having it
now. You can arrange this at your GPs surgery.
Treatment depends on where the warts are, what they look like and how many you have. It
may consist of using creams or liquids, surgery, cry therapy or laser treatment.
Some women find that the warts go after one treatment whereas others find it takes
several treatments.
Certain types of bacteria live naturally inside the vagina. They produce acid, which helps to
fight off other bacteria, as well as viruses and fungi that don't normally live in the vagina.
Anything that lowers the acidity of the vagina can cause a vaginal infection.
Vaginal infections are common. If you think you could have the virus, go for a check up.
Testing is free and confidential on the NHS from genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics,
young person's sexual health clinics or your GP. You can be checked any time after you
think you may have been in contact with the virus. If there are no visible warts, you may be
asked to come back at a later time. If warts are suspected, you will need to have an
examination of the whole genital area.
All sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are preventable, so if you choose to have sex in
the near future, ensure you use a condom which provides protection against STIs as well
as an unwanted pregnancy.
Your nearest GUM and young person's clinics are;
· Royal Preston Hospital GUM Clinic, Sharoe Green Lane, Fulwood, Preston,
Phone: 01772 522 814. Opening times for the Walk in Clinic are Monday to Friday 9am -
11am. No appointment needed.
· Talkwise, InfoCentre for Young People, Urban Exchange, Theatre Street, Preston
(opposite the Post Office) Tel 01772 255303. Open Monday 12 - 3pm, Tuesday 3 - 7pm,
Thursday 3 - 5pm and Saturday 12 - 3pm.
For further information and advice you could also contact;
· Worth Talking About 0800 282930 Open from 7.00am to midnight every day (7
days a week).
· Brook confidential helpline: 0808 802 1234 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, for
young people under 25).
There are also a number of websites that you may find helpful, these include
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Sexandyoungpeople/Pages/Sex-and-young-people-hub.aspx,
and www.brook.org.uk.
We hope you find this information helpful.
Q2A
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