Genital warts are one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. They are caused by a certain type of human papillomavirus (HPV). It occurs more often in women than in men.
The formation affects the mucous membrane of the genitals. These are small growths, often similar to cauliflower.
Some strains of genital HPV stimulate the growth of cancer cells. Vaccinations are used to prevent such health problems.
Symptom
In women, genital warts can develop on the external genitalia, the vaginal wall, the area between the external genitalia and the anus, the anal canal, and the cervix. In men, the glans penis, scrotum or anus are affected. These tumors sometimes form in the mouth or throat after oral sex with an infected person.
Symptoms of genital warts:
- Small, flesh-colored or gray bumps appear in the genital area.
- A cluster of many warts located close together.
- The appearance of itching or discomfort in the genital area.
- Bleeding during sex.
Genital warts can be so small and flat that they cannot be seen with the naked eye. Sometimes they form large clusters.
You should see a doctor if a woman or her partner develops lumps or warts in the genital area.
reason
There are more than 40 different strains of HPV that affect the genital area. People with weakened immune systems are susceptible to HPV infection. They are more likely to develop health problems.
Risk factors
Factors that can increase the risk of infection include:
- having unsafe sex with multiple partners;
- suppressed immunity (for example, people with HIV are at higher risk of contracting the virus);
- sexual activity at an early age.
Genital complications after illness:
- Cancer.The disease is closely related to genital infections. Some types of HPV are also linked to 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 of HPV infection.
- Problems during pregnancy.Tumors can enlarge, causing difficulty urinating. Growths on the vaginal wall reduce the ability of vaginal tissue to expand during childbirth. Large genital or vaginal warts that bleed during labor. Mothers often pass the virus to their children, causing them to develop warts, which are especially dangerous in the throat. In this case, it is necessary to thoroughly examine and remove the tumors so that the child can breathe easily.
Prevent
To avoid the development of HPV-related diseases, you should:
- Use condoms when having sex.This significantly reduces the risk of genital warts.
- Get vaccinated.It protects against four cancer-causing strains of HPV and is used to prevent genital warts.
Another vaccine protects against cervical cancer but does not protect against genital warts.
Routine HPV vaccination is recommended for girls and boys aged 11 and 12 years old. If not vaccinated as a child, girls and women under 26 years of age and boys and men under 21 years of age should get the vaccine.
The medicine is effective if taken before sex. Research has shown that people under 21 and between 21 and 30 who received the HPV vaccine were 50% protected from infection.
Side effects of the vaccine are minimal and include soreness at the injection site (shoulder), headache, mild fever or flu-like symptoms. Sometimes dizziness or fainting occurs after an injection, especially in teenagers.
Diagnose
Genital warts are often difficult to detect, so your doctor will apply a dilute acetic acid solution to the genitals to whiten the warts. Then they are examined through a special magnifying instrument - a colposcope.
Pap test
It is important for women to have regular pelvic exams and Pap tests. These tests help detect changes in the vagina and cervix caused by genital warts or early signs of cervical cancer.
A smear is performed during a gynecological examination with a special brush from the outer and inner surface of the cervix. The procedure is painless and takes 5-10 seconds. The cells are examined under a microscope.
HPV virus testing
Some types of genital HPV are linked to cervical cancer. A tissue sample taken during the PAP test is tested for cancer-causing HPV strains. It is performed in women 30 years of age and older.
Treatment
If the wart does not cause discomfort, treatment is not needed. But if it is itchy, burning and painful, or the warts cause emotional stress, the growths will be removed with medication or surgery. Growth may return after treatment.
Medicines to treat genital warts
Preparations applied to the skin:
- Imidazoquinolone cream. Strengthens the immune system's ability to fight genital warts. Sexual contact should be avoided while the cream is on the skin. This weakens the effectiveness of condoms and diaphragms, and causes skin irritation for your partner.
Side effects: skin redness, blistering, body aches, cough, rash and fatigue. - Podophyllotoxin- a resin derived from plants that destroys wart tissue on the genitals.
When using the product, you need to clearly understand the precautions to avoid causing irritation. This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Side effects: mild skin irritation, itching. - Trichloroacetic acid.This remedy burns genital warts and is used to remove internal warts. Side effects include mild skin irritation, ulcers, or itching.
- Synecatechin.The cream is used to treat external genital warts and warts in or around the anal canal. Side effects include skin redness, itching, or burning.
You cannot self-medicate so as not to cause serious complications.
Surgery
Large warts that cannot be treated will be surgically removed. Treatment options:
- Freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy).As healing progresses, the affected areas will disappear. If the effect is not significant, repeat treatment is required. Pain and swelling are side effects.
- Burn electricity.A procedure that uses electric current to burn off warts.
- Surgical excision.Warts are removed using special instruments and anesthesia is applied.
- Laser procedure.The method uses high-intensity light beams for large warts. Side effects include scarring and pain.
All procedures are performed by specialists under sterile conditions.