What are genital warts?
360,000 people in the US develop genital warts every year. It spreads easily through skin-to-skin contact, usually during sex, and is one of the most common STDs. There are treatments for the symptoms of your genital warts, but unless you treat the underlying virus, they will eventually return. Read on to learn more about genital warts and what your options are.
Genital warts are skin growths that in some cases you find on the genital area and around the anus. The human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the underlying cause of these growths. There are 100 different types of HPV. Some types cause warts on different parts of the body, such as the hands and feet. Some can even cause several types of cancer. You will find that most genital warts are caused by HPV types 6 and type 11. Genital warts are common all over the world, with up to 1 million people affected each year.
Genital warts are usually not considered dangerous. However, they look ugly and there is a risk of bleeding. Because of this, they can increase your risk of more serious conditions, such as HIV. That is why you should always get checked and find a suitable treatment for your warts. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, and all healthcare providers are used to seeing things like this.
Symptoms of genital warts
Genital warts have some telltale symptoms, but can also mimic other STD symptoms. You may develop itchy bumps on the surface of the skin around and inside the genital area. In some cases they will cluster. They can all be different sizes and range from hard to soft. That said, you may only have one wart. Therefore, it can be difficult to diagnose them yourself. Other symptoms include burning and bleeding in the area. They are usually not painful, but they can become painful if they grow larger and are not treated. It is less common to have them in your mouth and throat, but they can also occur here. It is most common for these growths to appear six weeks to six months after contracting the infection, but in some cases they may take longer to appear.
Keep in mind that not all fleshy growths in the area are necessarily genital warts. In some cases it could be skin tags, hemorrhoids, or skin cancer. That’s why it’s so important to get checked instead of trying to diagnose yourself. You may encounter genital warts in these areas:
- Penis
- Scrotum
- Thighs
- Anus
- In the vagina
- Outside the vagina
- Cervix
In some cases they are not visible on the body and are located inside the body. It is crucial that you visit a healthcare practitioner for a check-up if you suspect you have one but cannot see anything. Just because you don’t have symptoms doesn’t mean you don’t have the virus.
Where you can be monitored
A check for genital warts will confirm whether you have the virus or not. In women, warts can be diagnosed during a pelvic exam, but men are usually not checked unless they complain of symptoms. You will be diagnosed after a physical examination by your nurse or doctor. Warts can grow in the vagina and cervix in women, so a more thorough examination may be necessary. You will be asked questions about your sexual health history, and it is important that you are honest to get the best treatment.
Treatment for genital warts
In some cases, our body will fight the virus and the warts will disappear without treatment. This is why many people decide to leave them alone and hope they go away. That being said, the virus itself will not go away. The fact that the warts are not there does not mean that the virus has disappeared. The body will usually remove the virus itself after some time, but there is no treatment for it. You can only cure the visible signs of the virus.
Some people are aware of the appearance of the warts or find them uncomfortable. There are a number of treatments for genital warts that may be right for you. There are topical medications that can be applied to the warts, but treatment may need to be administered by your healthcare provider. Your warts can be burned, frozen or lasered away. There are also injections that can help. It is not uncommon for healthcare providers to use more than one treatment at a time to control the warts. A woman with genital warts may need a Pap smear every six months to make sure there are no cancerous cells or precancerous changes in the cervix.
Because the virus itself cannot be eliminated once it is in your bloodstream, it is important to keep symptoms well controlled. You will likely have numerous outbreaks throughout your life. You can pass on genital warts even if you don’t see them.
Never try to use home remedies against your genital warts. They can do more harm than good. Over-the-counter medications can also hinder rather than help. Abstaining from sex is also important. You will heal faster and prevent the warts from being passed on to someone else. Taking painkillers after treatment and taking warm baths can help prevent discomfort. Here you can read more about the treatment of genital warts:
Topical treatments
There are a number of topical treatments that can work. However, if you use condoms, your topical treatment may weaken them. Make sure you know the risks by discussing them with your healthcare provider.
- Podophyllotoxin – this type of treatment should not be used during pregnancy. A small amount of liquid is used on the warts, which has a toxic effect on the warts. It is usually used to treat small groups of warts. It may take up to 5 treatment cycles for this to work completely.
- Imiquimod – this treatment is used for larger warts. It may take weeks before you notice a difference in your warts because the treatment encourages the immune system to attack them. You should not use this if you are pregnant.
- Trichloroacetic acid – this treatment is administered by a doctor or nurse. It is used on hard, small warts. You may experience a burning sensation.
Physical ablation
These treatments are carried out by a trained doctor or nurse. They contain:
- Cryotherapy – this treatment freezes the wart using liquid nitrogen. You may experience a burning sensation, which may take up to 3 weeks to heal. Avoid sex until the wart site has healed.
- Excision – hard warts may need to be excised with a surgical scalpel. Incisions may need to be sutured. This may not be suitable for large warts as scarring may occur. Again, it’s best to avoid sex until you’ve healed.
- Electrosurgery – this is to treat warts that may not have responded to topical treatments. It can be quite painful, so you will usually be given pain relief in the form of an anesthetic. Electric currents are used on the warts to burn away the remains.
- Laser surgery – laser surgery is recommended for warts that have not responded to other treatments. It can be irritating and may take up to 4 weeks to heal. You will receive a general or local anesthesia.
For all treatments, it is a good idea to abstain from all forms of sex until you are completely healed. You promote your recovery, feel more comfortable and do not pass the infection on to others. For 3 months after your warts have disappeared, you should still use a condom during intercourse. This is because there may still be traces of the virus in your cells. Please note that since these treatments cannot treat the underlying HPV, there is still a chance of the warts returning. Always follow the aftercare advice of your healthcare provider.
How the warts are spread
Genital warts spread very easily through skin-to-skin contact. They are usually spread during sexual activities. Fortunately, there are prevention methods that can reduce the risk of contracting the virus that causes them. Some prevention methods include:
- Obtaining the HPV vaccine.
- Always use condoms.
- Give up cigarettes. Smokers are more likely to contract the virus and develop recurring warts.
Any sexually active person can get HPV. However, research shows that some people are more at risk than others. These risk factors include:
- A history of child abuse.
- A mother with the infection during childbirth.
- Smokers.
- Those with a weak immune system.
- Be under the age of 30.
If you have a partner, it is important to be open and honest with him or her about your condition. If you are honest and know as much as possible about your condition, you can help prevent your partner from getting the virus.
It is important to be sure you have these warts in order to get the right treatments. This is why it is not recommended to self-diagnose, and it is best to go for a check-up. You can have your warts properly treated and prevent them from being passed on. It could be skin tags, or in rare cases, a form of cancer. The only way to know for sure is to get tested by a medical professional.