Genital warts – pathways of infection. What is the treatment of genital warts?

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Genital warts are one of the sexually transmitted diseases caused by human papilloma. Growths appear around the genital tract of both men and women. For this reason, genital warts are considered a very embarrassing disease. How can you catch it? We check the treatment of condylomata acuminata.

We are also dealing with anal condylomas. Changes may also appear in the oral cavity and larynx. It is also possible for a child to contract condylomas during delivery (vertical transmission).

Genital warts – risk factors

Factors that increase the risk of infection with condylomas include:

1. smoking; 
2. use of oral contraceptives; 
3. promiscuity (having multiple sexual intercourse without affection); 
4. having unprotected sex with multiple partners;
5. having sex with a partner whose sexual history is unknown;
6. having a weak immune system due to HIV infection or the use of medications in the case of organ transplantation;
7. early age of sexual initiation. 

See also: «My husband gave me the kidney. Thanks to this I got my life back »

Genital warts – what causes them?

According to the National Cancer Institute, genital warts are approximately 90 percent caused by low-risk HPV types 6 and 11.

1. There are 30 to 40 strains of HPV that specifically affect the genitals, but only a few of these strains cause genital warts.
2. HPV is transmitted through skin contact and is therefore considered a sexually transmitted disease.
3. In fact, HPV is so common that it is said to affect most sexually active people at some point.
4. However, the virus does not always lead to complications such as genital warts. In fact, in most cases, the virus goes away on its own without causing any health problems.
5. Genital warts are usually caused by strains of HPV, which are different from the strains that cause warts on the hands or other parts of the body.

Genital warts and skin rash

The most common symptoms of acuminata are eruptions on the skin. The lesions are small in size, a few millimeters, but they can merge with each other. They resemble light pink lumps, and sometimes brown or beige.

It happens that the surface of the eruptions is covered with papillary protrusions or threadlike. As the disease develops, skin lesions begin to resemble cauliflower in shape.

Also check: Primary and secondary eruptions of the oral mucosa

Genital warts – symptoms in women and men

Genital warts most often appear within a few months of having sexual intercourse with an infected partner. Initially, small lumps appear in the intimate area.

Genital warts in men may appear on the penis, around the scrotum or anus. On the other hand, genital warts in women most often appear in the vagina (its outer part), labia or (as in men) around the anus. It is worth knowing that infection with condylomas can take three steps:

1. Fully symptomatic – with warts occurring in intimate places or in the mouth; 
2. Subclinically – the disease is diagnosed by performing tests – cytology or colonoscopy; 
3. Asymptomatic – the patient is unaware of the infection. 

In women, it is recommended to do it in a gynecological position – in some cases, it may be necessary to insert a gynecological speculum.

See also: When should you see a gynecologist?

Condylomata diagnostics – cytological tests

For women, regular pelvic examinations and smear tests are important, which can help detect vaginal and cervical changes caused by genital warts or early signs of cervical cancer.

During a Pap test, your doctor uses a device called a speculum to open the vagina and see the transition between the vagina and the uterus (cervix). He will then use a long-handled tool to take a small sample of cells from the cervix. Cells are examined under a microscope for abnormalities.

Condyloma diagnosis – HPV test

Only a few types of genital HPV have been linked to cervical cancer. A sample of the cervical cells obtained during Pap smears can be tested for these carcinogenic HPV strains. This test is usually reserved for women 30 years of age and older. This isn’t as useful for younger women as they usually have HPV that goes away without treatment.

To check whether you are also infected with other venereal diseases, for safety, you can perform a diagnostic test package – Sexually Transmitted Diseases, which you can buy at Medonet Market.

Genital warts – differential diagnosis

Various factors are taken into account at the level of the diagnosis of differential condylomata acuminata.

1. Seborrheic warts; 
2. Lichen planus; 
3. Flat condylomas; 
4. Pearly penile papules; 
5. Soft fibromas; 
6. Hymen hypha. 

There are three ways of conservative treatment:

1. Podophyllotoxin – is a cream that can be used on genital warts located on the labia, penis or around the anus. When applying a cream that is applied to calluses for three consecutive days followed by a four-day break, the treatment lasts a maximum of four weeks. The cream cannot be used by pregnant women; 
2. Imiquimod – is a drug that is applied to areas with skin lesions three times a week for the night. The preparation should be washed off the skin in the morning. Some patients experience side effects (erythema); 
3. I don’t know – the ointment based on green tea extract should be applied to the shifts three times a week until they disappear. The drug should not be used by people under 18 years of age and pregnant women. 

Surgical treatment of condylomas

There are four methods of surgical treatment of condylomas.

1. Cryotherapy – liquid nitrogen treatment can be performed both in the case of smaller, delimited lesions and large cauliflower growths – in this case, liquid nitrogen is sprayed onto the skin. Cryotherapy is a safe procedure that can also be performed by pregnant women. After the procedure, consult a doctor. The specialist will determine if it needs to be repeated.
2. Trichloroacetic acid – works best for small changes. Due to the possibility of tissue damage, it should be used together with a neutralizing substance. Pregnant women can use the cream.
3. Electrocoagulation – consists in the use of alternating current. Protein is sheared by an electric arc.
4. Laser therapy – works well in the treatment of anal condylomas – in this case general anesthesia should be used. 

Genital warts – home treatment

Treatment of condylomas at home is not recommended as it can be harmful. For this reason, in the event of the appearance of warts, you should see a doctor who will assess the condition of the skin and any changes.

The only home treatment for condylomas without side effects is the use of compresses made of green tea infusions, which is also one of the main substances of one of the drugs used during therapy.

Also check: Learn about the seven most common venereal diseases

Read: Anal sex – threats

Genital warts – what after treatment?

Genital warts can be treated but not cured. You remove the condylomas, but you’ll still have HPV causing them. HPV may go away on its own at some point, but there’s no way to know for sure. Some people will get genital warts again and others will not.

After removing the condylomas, the following should be done:

1. Keep the area clean and do not scratch it.
2. Wash your hands after touching the area where the warts were.
3. Do not have sex if it is uncomfortable to do so.
4. A cold compress can make us feel better if the area is sore or swollen. You can also take over-the-counter pain medications.

See also: Washing your hands can protect against viruses. How to do it effectively?

Genital warts – complications

Complications of HPV infection can include various diseases and health problems.

1. Tumor. Cervical cancer is closely related to genital HPV infection. Certain types of HPV are also associated with cancers of the vulva, anus, penis, and mouth and throat. HPV infection does not always lead to cancer, but it is important for women to have regular smear tests, known as smear tests. cervical smear, especially those who have been infected with the higher-risk types of HPV.
2. Problems during pregnancy. Rarely during pregnancy, condylomas may increase in size, making it difficult to pass urine. Condylomas on the vaginal wall can inhibit stretching of the vaginal tissues during labor. Large condylomas in the vulva or in the vagina can bleed when stretched during labor. It is extremely rare for a child born to a mother with genital warts to develop condylomas in the throat. Your baby may need surgery to prevent airway obstruction.

Genital warts – prophylaxis

First, talk to your doctor about getting the HPV vaccine – most vaccine brands protect against the types of HPV that cause most cases of genital warts. This is the best way to avoid any HPV problems, including condylomas. Gardasil and Gardasil 9 can protect people of all sexes against the most common strains of HPV that cause genital warts, and they can also protect against HPV strains associated with cervical cancer. People between the ages of 9 and 45 can get these vaccines. They are given in a series of two or three doses, depending on age. Both types of vaccines should be given before a person becomes sexually active as they are most effective before a person is exposed to HPV.

Genital warts spread through sexual contact with the skin with someone who has them – including vaginal, anal and oral sex. So the only sure way to avoid this condition and other STIs is not to come into contact with another person’s mouth or genitals. However, most people have sex at some point in their lives, so knowing how to have safer sex is also important. Using protection such as condoms and a cofferdam during sex really helps reduce the risk of getting an STD.

You can also avoid having sex with someone if you see condylomas on their genitals or anus, because that’s when they spread most easily. However, keep in mind that you can get them or spread them when there are no obvious symptoms, so it’s important to use condoms and cofferdams even if everything looks perfectly fine.

And although there are no strict tests for genital warts, testing for sexually transmitted diseases during routine medical or nurse checkups is part of prevention.

If you find out that you have genital warts, don’t panic. There are several ways to stop the disease from spreading to your partners.

1. Encourage your partner to talk to your doctor or nurse about the HPV vaccine. Most brands of vaccines can protect against certain types of virus that cause most cases of genital warts.
2. Always use condoms and rubber dams during oral, anal and vaginal sex.
3. Don’t have sex when you have visible lesions, even with a condom. Genital warts can develop in places not covered by a condom.
4. Stop smoking. If you smoke, you may have a greater chance of developing the disease than people who don’t smoke, and genital warts are more likely to come back if you smoke.

Always tell your sexual partners that you have genital warts before sex so you can work together to prevent them from spreading

See also: How to quit smoking successfully?

Genital warts – how do you talk to your partner about it?

Telling someone you have an STD can be difficult, but genital warts are common and don’t lead to serious health problems. So let’s try not to be too embarrassed or stressed about it.

There’s no one way to talk to your partner about an STI, but here are some basic tips that may help.

1. Stay calm and don’t give up on your relationship. Many people have genital warts and many are in a relationship. Genital warts aren’t much of a problem for most couples. Try to enter into the conversation with a calm, positive attitude. Genital warts are simply a health problem – it says nothing about us as a person.
2. Let it be a conversation between two sides. Remember that STDs are very common, so who knows? Our partner may also have genital warts. So let’s start by asking if our partner has ever been tested for a sexually transmitted disease or if they have had a sexually transmitted disease before.
3. Get the facts. There is a lot of misinformation about sexually transmitted diseases, so let’s get the facts and be prepared to clear it up. Let your partner know that there are ways to avoid genital warts during sex. They can also be reminded that genital warts are not dangerous and do not cause cancer or any other serious health problems.
4. Think about time. Let us choose a time when we will not be distracted or interrupted, and let us find a place where we can talk privately. If you are nervous, you can talk to your friend about it first, or exercise by talking to yourself. It sounds silly, but saying these words aloud can help you find out what you want to say and feel more confident when talking to your partner.
5. Safety first and foremost. If we are afraid that our partner might hurt us, it may not be safe to tell them personally. It will probably be better if we send an e-mail, text or make a call – or in extreme cases not say anything at all.

When is a good time to tell your partner about genital warts? We may not need to mention this when we first meet, but we should let our partner know before sex. When you feel you can trust your partner, it’s probably a good time for these conversations.

It’s normal to worry about how our partner will react. And there’s no way around it: some people may panic. If this happens, try to stay calm and talk about all the ways you can help prevent the condyloma from spreading. You may need to give your partner some time and space to process your message, which is normal. Many people know that genital warts are common and aren’t anything big.

You should also not play blame when talking to your partner. If one of us gets genital warts for the first time in a relationship, it doesn’t automatically mean that someone has been cheating or that one partner has gotten it from the other. Genital warts can take weeks, months, or even longer to develop before they appear after an infection. It’s usually really hard to tell when and where someone got them. If it turns out that only one person has genital warts, talk about how you can prevent their transmission. You should also talk to your ex-partners so that they can get tested.

Genital warts – HPV vaccine

In order to avoid acuminata, it is worth getting vaccinated. Vaccinations against HPV are reimbursed in selected larger cities in Poland, but you can also vaccinate yourself.

Doctors for this reason suggest that they should be done in adolescents before starting sexual initiation.

There are 3 vaccines against human papillomaviruses available in Poland, namely:

1. Cervarix – 2-valent against 2 carcinogenic types of virus (HPV16 and HPV18)
2. Gardasil – 4-valent against 4 types of virus (HPV-6, HPV-11, HPV-16, HPV-18) responsible for pre-neoplastic lesions and genital warts (genital warts)
3. Gardasil 9 – 9-valent against 7 carcinogenic types of HPV (HPV16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58) and 2 types responsible for genital warts (HPV6, HPV11)

The data show that the first two vaccines, after taking all 3 recommended doses, reduce the risk of cervical cancer by at least 70%, and the last vaccine probably reduces it by around 90%.

Vaccine protection is assumed to last for at least 8 years, and possibly much longer. However, it should not be forgotten that vaccination does not protect against all cases of cervical cancer, so women should continue to have regular cervical screening (Pap smear) screening.

See also: What is the human papillomavirus? How does the HPV vaccine work?