Understanding Genital Bumps: Causes, Symptoms & What to Do

Question
Hi.  I'm 21, with a 2 yr. old daughter & I have been married for 1 year, but my husband and I have been faithful to eachother for 5 years.  My last period was 1 1/2 weeks ago.  I have a question...recently my friend told me her husband had genital warts, apparently it was a mild case & it was recurring from a time before they were married.  Well, I guess it got me paranoid.  I have since noticed a few small bumps on my husbands penis, they are flesh colored & dont seem like a problem, just little bumps.  Not many.  So, being paranoid now, I checked my genital region.  I know that the vulva has little bumps inside (pores or glands or something) but I have noticed there are also little bumps on the inside of my inner labia.  They are the same color as my labia, unless I pull it back to try to see them better, then they become white.  They don't bother me, no itching or burning or anything, I probably wouldn't have noticed them if I hadnt looked, but since my friend's husband had a case, long after his exposure, I am worried that one of us may have a flare up from some previous relationship...this type of thing has never happened to us before, or if it did, we didnt notice it.  My next OBGYN appointment isnt until May, and I need answers.  If it is something abnormal, I dont want to spread it to my 2 yr. old by changing her diaper or anything.  I am also trying to concieve a child, Ive just gotten off Ortho Evra & I was wondering if this IS something wrong could it affect conception or the unborn child?  I am so scared.  Please help me!  Is there something wrong with me or is the labia supposed to be rough & sort of bumpy?  I'm driving myself crazy wondering...thanks for any input you might have!  Please respond quickly.  THANK YOU!

Answer
It is common to have some flesh colored "bumps" on the labia. Genital warts look more like cauliflour and are quite dry. Genital warts are caused by a virus (HPV-human papilloma virus) and are not transmitted to your unborn child or to your daughter as you change her diaper. I doubt that your husband has genital warts. It is normal to have some bumps or pimples or stains on the genital areas. Unless you see vesicles (such as chicken pox) or the cauliflour appearance, you need not worry. (Vesicles may be a sign of Herpes simplex). If you both have had a monogamous relationship with each other, it is highly unlikely that anything is growing on either of your genital areas.