Genital Warts Treatment
Genital warts are also called venereal warts and the clinical name is
condylomata acuminate. This is one of the most common sexually
transmitted diseases, and is known to affect 8% of Americans. Genital
warts can be quite small or even grow into big clusters and appear like
cauliflower. The average warts look like flesh colored bumps and
sometimes become red. They affect the soft and moist tissues of the
genital area and surrounding skin.
Health Concerns
Genital warts can be treated, but they have been associated in the past
with cervical cancer in women. Other genital cancers have been seen more
frequently in those that have previously had genital warts, and
therefore regular testing is suggested after the first outbreak.
Symptoms
Women will experience warts generally on the vulva, vaginal walls,
cervix and even on the areas between external genital areas and the anal
passage. On men, the tip and shaft of the penis as well as the scrotum
and anus are common sites for the genital warts. Small flesh colored or
gray areas around the genitals are the first sign of warts. Itching and
varied discomfort in the genital areas as well as bleeding with sexual
intercourse are also common. Lastly, genital warts can occur with no
symptoms or signs at all. The warts can be so small that they cannot be
seen without the aid of ocular help.
Causes
Genital warts are caused by the HPV virus that infects the upper layer
of skin. There are over 100 different types of HPV, yet only a few can
cause genital warts. This virus is highly contagious and is spread
through sexual contact alone. Within 3 months of sexual contact with a
person who is infected will cause 2/3 of people to have the condition.
Risks
If you have unprotected sex with multiple partners, or have had another
sexually transmitted disease, your risk of genital warts goes up. Having
sex with anyone whose sexual history you do not know also puts you at
risk. Having oral sex with someone who has genital warts will cause the
oral partner to also get warts.
Complications
Cancer of the cervix is closely watched due to the link with the HPV
infection in women. Other types of HPV are known to cause cancers of the
anus, vulva and penis. HPV doesn’t always lead to any type of cancer,
but regular testing including Pap tests for women will help to ensure
early detection. Pregnant women if infected, will see larger warts. If a
woman has warts on her vaginal wall, it may cause the vaginal wall to
not be able to get large enough to deliver a child. There are also
instances where babies born to mothers with genital warts develop them
in their throats. Surgery is sometimes used to prevent the obstruction
of air in this case.
Treatments
Removal of the warts can actually create wart-free times. But if left
untreated, sometimes visible warts will go away on their own. External
warts can be treated with Podofilox, a gel that is put on the warts with
a cotton swab twice daily for 3 days. Cryotherapy or liquid nitrogen
can be applied once every 2 weeks by a physician to rid the warts, or
using podophyllin resin weekly by a doctor. At any rate, treatment will
be overseen by a physician for an ongoing period to ensure flare ups are
at a minimum.
