How can a woman confirm if she has genital warts?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 35-year-old female. I am concerned that I might have genital warts on both sides of the vaginal opening. However, when I visited other doctors in person and told them I think I have warts, they said they did not see anything. Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for trusting me with this concern. I understand how upsetting it can be to feel something is wrong and not get a clear answer. What you are feeling could be one of several benign (noncancerous) conditions that can be mistaken for genital warts. Some of the common examples are:

Sebaceous glands- These are normal oil-producing glands in the skin. Around the vulva, they can sometimes appear as small, soft bumps.
Vestibular papillomatosis - A normal anatomical variation of the vulvar skin that looks like small, soft, symmetrical bumps around the vaginal opening.
Normal skin folds or skin tags - Extra small folds of skin or harmless little flaps that may feel like lumps. It is reassuring that other doctors did not see warts on examination. Still, your worry is understandable.

For clarity and peace of mind, I recommend seeing a specialist:

A dermatologist, a skin doctor who can examine the vulvar skin closely and identify skin conditions.
A gynecologist with vulvar expertise is a woman’s health doctor who specializes in genital and pelvic problems.

Here are a few additional notes to help you understand possible findings and tests:

Genital warts are caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). They usually look like soft, flesh-colored bumps or cauliflower-like growths. HPV is a common virus; some types cause warts, while others can affect cervical screening.
Sometimes warts are very small, flat, or hidden in skin folds and can be missed in a quick exam. A specialist can use good lighting, magnification, or gentle stretching of the skin to look more carefully.
If the specialist is unsure, they may offer to photograph the area, apply a mild acetic acid (vinegar) solution to highlight abnormal tissue, or take a small biopsy (a tiny sample of tissue) for lab testing.

If you remain worried after one exam, it is reasonable to seek a second opinion from a dermatologist or a gynecologist who has specific experience with vulvar conditions. That should give you a definitive answer and help you decide on any needed treatment or reassurance.

I hope this helps you.

Kindly revert if there are any queries.

Thank you.