Genital warts are one of the most common types of sexually transmitted infections. They are caused by a certain type of human papillomavirus (HPV). It occurs more often in women than in men.
The formations affect the mucous membrane of the genitals. These are small growths, often resembling cauliflower.
Some strains of genital HPV provoke the formation of cancer cells. Vaccines are used to prevent such health problems.
Symptoms
In women, genital warts can grow on the external genitalia, the wall of the vagina, the area between the external genitalia and the anus, the anal canal, and the cervix. In men, the glans penis, scrotum or anus is affected. These growths sometimes form in the mouth or throat after oral sex with an infected person.
Symptoms of genital warts:
- The appearance of a small, flesh-colored or gray swelling in the genital area.
- A group of several warts located close to each other.
- Itching or discomfort in the genital area.
- Bleeding during intercourse.
Genital warts can be so small and flat that they cannot be seen with the naked eye. Sometimes they form large groups.
You should see a doctor if a woman or her partner develops lumps or warts in the genital area.
Cause
There are more than 40 different strains of HPV that affect the genital area. People with weakened immune systems are susceptible to HPV infection. Health problems are more likely to develop.
Risk factors
Factors that increase the risk of infection include:
- unprotected sex with multiple partners;
- suppressed immunity (for example, HIV-infected people are at increased risk of acquiring HPV);
- sexual activity at an early age.
Sexual complications after illness:
- Cancer.The disease is closely related to genital infections. Certain types of HPV are also associated with cancers of the anus, penis, mouth, and throat. Human papillomavirus does not always lead to cancer, but women should have regular Pap smears, especially if they are at high risk for HPV infection.
- Problems during pregnancy.Formations can enlarge, making urination difficult. Growths on the wall of the vagina reduce the ability of the vaginal tissue to stretch during childbirth. Large warts on the genitals or vagina bleed during childbirth. The mother often transmits the virus to the child, and the baby develops warts, which are especially dangerous in the throat. In this case, a thorough examination and removal of growths is necessary so that the child can breathe freely.
Prevention
In order to avoid the development of HPV-related diseases, it is recommended to:
- Use a condom during sex.This significantly reduces the risk of developing genital warts.
- Get vaccinated.The drug protects against four cancer-causing strains of HPV and is used to prevent genital warts.
Another vaccine protects against cervical cancer but not against genital warts.
Routine HPV vaccination is recommended for 11- and 12-year-old boys and girls. If the vaccine was not administered in childhood, vaccination is recommended for girls and women under the age of 26 and for boys and men under the age of 21.
The drugs are effective when administered before sexual activity. Research has shown that those under the age of 21 and between the ages of 21 and 30 who receive the HPV vaccine are 50% protected against infection.
Side effects from vaccines are minor and include pain at the injection site (shoulder), headache, low-grade fever, or flu-like symptoms. Sometimes dizziness or fainting occurs after the injection, especially in teenagers.
Diagnostics
Genital warts are often hard to spot, so your doctor will apply a weak acetic acid solution to your genitals to whiten the warts. They are then examined with a special magnifying instrument - a colposcope.
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It is important that women regularly participate in pelvic examinations and vaginal cytological smears (Pap smears). These tests help detect changes in the vagina and cervix caused by genital warts or early signs of cervical cancer.
During the gynecological examination, a smear is taken from the outer and inner surface of the cervix with a special brush. The procedure is painless and takes 5-10 seconds. The cells are examined under a microscope.
HPV test
Several types of genital HPV are linked to cervical cancer. The tissue sample taken during the PAP test is tested for HPV strains that cause cancer. It is performed on women aged 30 and older.
Treatment
If the warts do not cause discomfort, no treatment is necessary. But if there is itching, burning and pain, or the warts cause emotional stress, then the formations are removed by medicinal or surgical methods. After treatment, the growth may return.
Medicines for the treatment of genital warts
Preparations applied to the skin:
- imidazoquinolone cream. It strengthens the immune system's ability to fight against genital warts. Sexual contact should be avoided while the cream is on the skin. This weakens the effect of the condom and the diaphragm and causes skin irritation for your partner.
Side effects: redness, blisters, body aches, cough, rash and fatigue. - Podophyllotoxin- a plant-based resin that destroys the tissue of genital warts.
When using this product, you should know the precautions to avoid irritation. This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy. Side effects: mild skin irritation, itching. - Trichloroacetic acid.This medicine burns genital warts and is used to remove internal warts. Side effects include mild skin irritation, sores or itching.
- Sinecatechin.The cream is used to treat external genital warts and warts in or around the anal canal. Side effects include redness, itching or burning.
You cannot self-medicate so as not to provoke serious complications.
Surgery
Untreatable large warts are surgically removed. Treatment options:
- Freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy).As healing progresses, the affected areas will disappear. If the effect is insignificant, repeated treatment is necessary. Pain and swelling are side effects.
- Electrocautery.A procedure that uses electricity to burn the warts.
- Surgical excision.Warts are removed with special tools and anesthesia is used.
- Laser procedures.The method using an intense beam of light is used to treat large warts. Side effects include scarring and pain.
All procedures are performed by specialists under sterile conditions.