Genital warts treatment: Causes, diagnosis, and medications

 

Topical drugs, such as creams and ointments, and surgical techniques, such as freezing, excision, and laser removal, are used to treat genital warts. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the cause of genital warts, which is why therapy may not completely eliminate them.

Condylomata acuminata, or genital Best Genital warts warts, are warts that develop on or close to the genitalia or the anus.

This page describes genital wart treatments, including prescription drugs, surgeries, and at-home therapies.

What are genital warts?

In the United States, genital warts affect over 400,000 people each year. 90%Trusted Source of instances of genital warts are caused by HPV strains 6 and 11.

90% of HPV infections will naturally clear up after two years of infection, and about 30% of genital warts will disappear on their own within four months of first appearing. The symptoms of this virus, however, may manifest or recur months or years after the original infection due to a latency period.

Causes:

Skin-to-skin contact during genital or anal intercourse puts a person at risk for contracting HPV and getting genital warts. Rarely, those who engage in oral intercourse with a partner who has genital warts on their lips or genital region may get warts as a result.

Genital warts can occasionally be transferred from an adult to a newborn after vaginal birth.

Symptoms:

A person with genital warts could see the following symptoms:

flesh-colored warts that range in size from huge to very tiny warts on the lips, mouth, tongue, or neck, but these are extremely uncommon stinging, burning, or discomfort where the warts develop in the vagina, vulva, cervix, penis, scrotum, 

Diagnosis and testing:

A person should speak with a healthcare provider if they think they could have genital warts.

In most cases, genital warts may be identified by a physical examination that includes checking the genital and rectal regions.

Yet, some people might feel uneasy seeing a doctor to get their genital warts diagnosed.

While there are at-home STI tests available, they do not specifically search for the kinds of HPV that might result in genital warts. As a result, a patient should consult a doctor for advice in order to receive a precise diagnosis.

When to get treatment:

Without treatment, some genital wart outbreaks resolve on their own. It may not be necessary to consult a doctor if a person has genital warts that are not bothersome.

Moreover, researchTrusted Source advises against getting treatment for subclinical, or undetectable, warts.

But, if genital warts are escalating, spreading, or causing anguish or suffering, patients should seek medical attention.

To confirm genital warts and ease painful symptoms, the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD) suggests that a person call a doctor.

They should disclose any additional medical issues and if they are pregnant or breastfeeding to the healthcare provider before discussing treatment choices with them.

Topical medications and treatments:

Genital warts may respond well to topical treatments. This kind of therapy consists of:

that prevent cell division, such as a podophyllotoxin solution in a gel or cream immune system enhancers in a topical cream, such as imiquimod an ointment of catechins, which come from green tea and can help reduce HPV genes

By causing the protein in warts to disintegrate, trichloracetic acid

Given that they are not appropriate for everyone, a doctor will choose whether to recommend any of these therapies to a patient. Although being largely harmless, they might have certain .

negative consequences, such as:

rashes, skin erosion, and discomfort

Flu-like symptoms raise your chance of developing a fungus infection.

Moreover, some of these treatments could harm the skin near the warts.

Surgical treatments and procedures:

Sometimes doctors will advise wart removal techniques. These treatments are more efficient. For bigger warts or warts that have keratinized, turn to a reliable source. They may consist of:

Warts are removed via cryosurgery, which involves freezing them off using liquid nitrogen, and electrocautery, which involves cutting off warts and applying an electric current to kill them.

Some of these procedures, though, can leave scars.

For the majority of these operations, doctors employ some form of local anaesthetic. Nonetheless, general anaesthesia could be necessary to do surgery to remove more significant lesions.

The antiviral drug interferon may occasionally be injected directly into the warts if other genital wart treatments are unsuccessful, according to the AAD.

A home remedy:

Before trying any home treatment for genital warts, a person should speak with a doctor. In sensitive skin, such as the genitals, using home treatments may have negative effects or lead to issues.

Moreover, genital warts should not be treated with alternative treatments or essential oils without first seeking medical advice.

A person should refrain from using generic wart removers on their genital warts since treatments for genital warts differ from those for other warts.

How to prevent genital warts:

Genital warts can be prevented from spreading or being acquired by:

not sharing sex toys carefully cleaning sex devices, and, if shared, covering the toy with a condom

wearing a condom or another kind of barrier contraception that covers the warts while having sex People should also keep in mind that barrier contraception won't stop genital warts if the virus is present on exposed skin.

Frequently asked questions

These are some frequently asked questions regarding genital warts and how to cure them.

Are genital warts curable?

Genital warts can be treated, however the HPV virus that causes them is incurable.

According to the AAD, genital warts may appear if HPV is still present in a person's body. Also, even after a person has had these warts removed, they could come back.

Do genital warts go away on their own?

Genital warts can sometimes disappear on their own. During 18 to 24 months, 80%Trusted Source of HPV-positive individuals will be free of the virus.

How long do genital warts last?

As long as a person has the HPV strains that cause them, genital warts can develop. Most cases are resolved in two years, although others may take longerTrusted Source.

Warts may disappear sooner with treatment. As long as a person has HPV, they might still spread genital warts or experience a recurrence of genital warts.

Are genital warts contagious for life?

In most cases, HPV, the virus that causes genital warts, disappears on its own within two years.

Genital warts may disappear on their own, stay the same size, or get larger. These warts may need to be treated for certain people.

Summary:

The most common cause of genital warts is an Infection called HPV. As long as the virus is still in the body, a person can get genital warts or pass the infection to someone else.

Although there is no cure for HPV, genital wart treatments may reduce the time that they last and lessen their symptoms. Warts can be treated with topical medications, surgery, or by letting them go away on their own.

A person should get advice from a healthcare provider if they suspect they may have genital warts.