Many people look to these experiences to weigh all sides when considering a piercing. Sometimes bad things happen, but they are not often submitted. I already had one inner labia and one horizontal hood piercing when I got two more inner labia piercings. One lip is slightly smaller than the other, so I figured two piercings on one side might gradually tug enough to stretch out the labia. The piercing itself went fairly smoothly, and healed up nicely for the first month or so.
At A Glance Author anonymous Contact anonymous@bme.anon When It just happened Artist Not an artist, my doctor Studio Christ Hospital After the initial healing period I noticed a small "scar" that looked like just a small flap of skin at the edge of the piercing. I tried some additional sea salt soaks, but that didn't seem to work. Eventually the scar grew a little. It started to become slightly uncomfortable. I thought it was just the jewelry pinching because the two piercings were right next to each other. I took both piercings out and waited about a week to see if the tissue would go away. I became concerned and made an appointment to see the gynecologist. I called a few places, but the earliest appointment I could get without missing work was three weeks away.
I grew a little paranoid that this was an STD, especially considering the recent explosion of HPV cases around both the BME community, and the entire country. I believe recent statistics show that there are currently 20 million cases, with 5 million new cases a year. That is exponential growth. I get even more paranoid and remove both of the remaining labial piercings, leaving only my horizontal hood down there. In the mean time, the "scar" seemed to be growing in size. It was on both sides of the piercing as well.
I was horrified on the morning of my appointment. I had just met someone, and then I seem to have something horribly wrong with me. I was so nervous about telling the doctor what had happened. I am also a vegan, so I know some doctors are not encouraging of either the vegan diet or genital piercing. He simply asked if I had a balanced diet and said yes. He told me it looked like a wart, but to get dressed so we could discuss it in his office.
Not only was it HPV, since it went through the piercing hole, it was going to have to be removed surgically. Surgery itself does not scare me that much, but I was also unaware of the consequences. My doctor wanted me to go home and think about it before scheduling the appointment. After a few days I called saying I wanted the surgery. My doctor insisted I visit for a consultation to make sure I was aware of all the implications and risks at hand. He said there was a chance that a small portion of my labia would have to be removed, leaving a dent. I didn't find it that likely, since the piercing was at the base of my labia, and there seemed to be room around. I agreed, but this delayed the scheduling slightly. He said there was a possibility that a small segment of my labia would be removed. I called back the following day to schedule the surgery. It was to be for the following Tuesday. My doctor instructed me to get a Sitz bath, and I nstant Ocean to soak in. It was very much like the sea salt soak, but better.
I was upset, and I had started to date this girl. I told her of this thinking she was going to end it before we became official, but she didn't. She was very supportive. I told her the day after I found out I had HPV, or warts. She showed me her prescription for Aldera. She had a wart on her hand. That isn't the same as HPV, but she was trying to comfort me. She even agreed to drive me to and from the hospital since I was going to be asleep for the procedure.
The date of the surgery ended up being about three weeks after my initial visit. In this time, the wart had grown more. I was instructed not to have any food after midnight the night before, and no water 7:00am the morning of the surgery. I had to take out all jewelry for the hospital, including my hood ring, which had never been taken out prior. That took a little care to remove gently. My surgery was scheduled for 3:05pm, but I was to arrive at the hospital around 1:30pm. My girlfriend held my hand as we walked to the registration desk. She was a great comfort, but I still felt disgusting and "broken." The nurse asked me a bunch of questions, and instructed me to use the bathroom and take out any remaining jewelry. I changed into the gown, and looked over at my girlfriend, amazed that she wasn't disgusted by my state. The nurse told me not to look as she put the needle on my wrist for the IV drip. I barely felt it, which sort of mad e me laugh. That needle was so tiny. She started shooting drugs into the tube, and I felt a little more relaxed.
They pushed me out of the patient room and into the operating room. It was very bright, almost too bright. I began to get a little nervous again. They hooked me up to all the equipment and I could hear my heart beat throughout the room. I tried to relax, and it slowed a little. The last thing I remember of that was the oxygen mask over my face.
I woke up very thirsty, and sort of cold. My eyes hurt. I asked for water, and they gave me just a few ice chips instead concerned I would get sick. I felt a little sore around my labia, but it was mostly numb. The nurse told me they had taped my eyes shut in the surgery. I didn't quite understand, but that explained why my eyelids stung. The doctor came in the room and told me to make an appointment for next week, and to eat more protein. I started to wake up a little more, and ate as many ice chips as I could without freezing. Eventually they brought me back into the patient room, where my girlfriend soon arrived. She told me the doctor had given her the instructions, and kissed me. That kiss made me feel a little better. I felt more and more alert. The nurse brought me a cup of Sprite. She told me I was to stay until I used the restroom. She helped me carry the IV bag, and gave me some Xylocaine and zinc oxide. I was to put bo th creams on after I wiped.
This is the fucked up part. This is what I want to get out to everyone. When I put the Xylocaine on, it stung slightly, but I noticed my right inner labia was not only missing a chunk around where the piercing used to be, but it was cut OUT, leaving an entire section of labia missing. I discovered this putting on the Xylocaine. I finished up with the zinc oxide, and washed my hands. This is what my doctor had warned me about. I now have mutilated inner labia. I returned to my room and asked my nurse if she had seen my doctor, or knew anything about this. She said that it would probably grow back together. We'll see.
Today I spoke to my doctor about a follow up appointment. I asked if he was interested in submitting information to BME about this procedure to see if it might make women more careful with safe sex, safe partners, and piercing. He was very agreeable, so he will probably follow this article with one of his own. He told me there was so much damaged tissue he had to remove it because it would die off.
At this point I almost want to cut off my inner labia altogether. Now the smaller side is even smaller. I've always hated how disproportionate they are, and that's why I had put so much effort into them. One little mistake sexually.... I believe it was just fooling around that gave me the HPV as well. It was not with someone I actually had sex with. Now I have to wait to be with my girlfriend, and we will always need saran wrap and gloves.