Genital warts occur from a low-risk strain of Human Papillomavirus, also known as HPV. In genital warts, you will see raised small fleshy and bumpy pink or red-colored growths surrounding your anus and genital areas. Their appearance resembles a cauliflower. Genital warts can develop with or without pain.
The most common symptoms of genital warts are:
Small fleshy and painless lumps or growth around sexual organs; like anus, vagina, cervix, penis, or upper thighs.
Bleeding, swelling, or itching from the anus or genitals.
Disturbance in urinary flow.
Higher vaginal discharge
Burning around the genitals.
Bleeding during the intercourse
The appearance of warts around the oral cavity.
The symptoms and number of warts may vary from person to person, and male to female. So, it’s not necessary that you will face each of the above-mentioned symptoms or similar to what others have experienced while having genital warts.
Additionally, sexual activities are the main cause of this condition. Hence, it also spreads through oral sex. So, you may experience warts developments in areas other than genitals like lips, mouth, and throat.
Sexually active male or female.
Sex with multiple partners or sex at an early age.
Not using condoms during sex.
Smoking
Weak immune system
Previous history of sexually transmitted infection. STD
Youngsters are at risk of genital warts as their immune system is not fully developed.
Skin damage; like having cuts, injury or scrapes. Since human papillomavirus easily enters into moist and injured environments.
Skin contact with an infected person
You can self-diagnose genital warts by looking at your symptoms, and if you previously had been exposed to the risk factors and you feel that they are similar to your condition, it’s better to consult a doctor for confirmation.
Your doctor will perform any one or more of the following examinations and tests to confirm the diagnosis of genital warts.
Conduct an in-depth physical examination of the suspected areas of your body.
To make warts clearly visible, your doctor may apply an acidic solution.
Isolate a small sample from the infected area, and carry out a confirmation test.
Conduct a Pap test for females.
Biopsy for males
DNA test
Here is a common example to understand what a pap test is:
Have you ever heard of a biopsy? It’s done in cancer patients where the doctor extracts a cell or tissue from the patient’s body part (where the condition is expected) for close identification and examination of the disease.
For women aged over 30 years, the doctor may conduct a DNA test for determining the severity of this disease.
The doctor looks at the DNA of the cells in the cervix to inspect whether or not the type of HPV is present that can cause cancer.
There can be several causes of genital warts. While it’s not necessary that genital warts have occurred in a person because they had been exposed to any of the below causes previously. As the cause can vary from person to person.
But most genital warts occur because of the following causes/reasons:
As we discussed previously, genital warts are most commonly caused by a virus called Human papillomavirus. (HPV). Before going on to the next causes, let’s discuss some important details about HPV.
This virus consists of different strains. Some of them are risky while some are less harmful. Their low-riskier kind is responsible for causing genital warts. Moreover, few dangerous kinds of HPV provoke cervical cancer, head, and neck cancer, or even anus or penile cancer. HPV is found to live in the epithelial cells which are present on the skin surface of humans. 60 out of 100 HPV kinds cause warts on hands, arms, or feet. And the other 40 HPV types enter the body through sexual contact. They are attracted to enter inside moist layers such as around the anus or genitals.
High-risk HPV strains cause cervical cancers.
While about 90℅ of low-risk HPV strains cause genital warts which sometimes, but rarely develops into cancer.
Many people with HPV experience no symptoms at all.
Oral HPV can include symptoms other than warts, like difficulty in swallowing.
The type of HPV that causes genital warts doesn’t cause cancer.
HPV vaccination doesn’t mean you can never get the disease.
There are over 100 different strains of HPV.
Skin-to-skin contact is the major cause of its spreadability.
Oral HPV is more common in men.
The most common cause of genital warts is an unhealthy sexual activity that mainly spreads through skin-to-skin contact, as this virus is highly contagious
If a mother has genital warts during her pregnancy, she can transfer them to her baby.
If a person has a history of any immune disease like HIV or AIDS which has weakened their immune system, it can increase their chances of developing genital warts.
This is approximately a new risk factor of genital warts which can become the cause.
A study conducted by Moffitt Cancer Centre revealed that men who are habitual of drinking excessive amounts of alcohol or using tobacco are at a higher risk of becoming infected by the HPV.
Viral infections such as herpes are another cause of developing Genital warts
As such, there is no specific treatment for genital warts as they go away on their own. But to ease the symptoms and relieve pain, certain OTC (Over the counter) topical medications or surgical removal procedures are available. If warts don’t go away with time, and you are auncomfortable with it, your doctor may recommend surgical procedures to remove warts from your body.
Have you heard about cell division? Our cells divide to replace old and damaged cells. But when the division is uncontrollable or abnormal, they may result in diseases. And if your infected cells keep dividing, they aren’t any good as well. Podofilox is a topical solution that inhibits the infected cells from dividing where the HPV is inhabiting, resulting in cell death.
Podophyllin is a topical cytotoxic agent that interferes with the process of mitosis during metaphase and works to treat HPV.
Trichloroacetic acid is a sensitive medication, that’s why it should be applied with precaution and by a healthcare expert. Because it may damage the outer areas of your skin.
This is a topical ointment that persuades the immune system to kill genital warts.
Sinecatechins is another topical ointment, extracted from green tea leaves. Their function is to inhibit viral replication. These medications can be applied two to three times per day on the infected areas. Topical medicines mainly the topical OTC don’t go into your bloodstream so they aren’t dangerous to use unless used by doctors recommendation. But medications having acid in their formula like trichloroacetic acid have to be applied with extra care and doctor’s recommendation.
Interferon is proteins in the body that help in fighting infections and tumors HPV-positive by triggering the killer immune system to combat invaders. Interferon injections are subjected to each genital wart for up to 8 weeks, given 2 times per week.
For stubborn genital warts, you may need to undergo surgical procedures for their removal. The following are the most common procedures used nowadays to remove genital warts:
Cryotherapy is also called cold therapy, in which a substance with excessively cold temperature like liquid nitrogen (a non-toxic natural gas) is applied on warts. It works by destroying the abnormal cells and reducing the blood flow to a particular area.
Laser therapy is also a treatment option for genital warts. In laser therapy, your physiotherapist uses a laser machine that produces a strong beam of light to kill the abnormal growth.
The patient may need a prior local anesthetic before undergoing this treatment. Electrocautery burns warts using an electrical device.
Surgical excision also requires prior anesthesia. It involves cutting off warts.
Certain types of HPV cause genital warts. They are sometimes called condyloma. (STDs)
People with HIV are likely to get genital warts. (American Academy of Dermatology Association, n.d.)
As we discussed, genital warts are caused by HPV, and HPV are of more than one kind from which some of them can cause cancers. Although the type of HPV that causes genital warts does not cause cancer as they are of the low-risk kind. But complications like having HPV of more than one type might be possible. If genital warts are left untreated or they don’t go away on their own after a few weeks or months, your cells may undergo precancerous changes causing complications known as dysplasia. (However, this is rare)
Note: Warts are responsible for causing these cancerous changes, not HPV. Because HPV that causes cancer is of another kind.
People with genital warts may experience an overall decrease in their performance, anxiety, irritability, low-self esteem, or depression. HPV infections may cause lesions on your tonsils, tongue, in your nose, larynx, and soft palate. As genital warts are highly contagious, the complication and possibility of spreading them to your partner remain at high risk. Until now, suffering from severe health risks because of genital warts has been seen to be rare. Nevertheless, if the chances are even 1-2 out of 10%, the survivor can be anyone. It can even be me or you. Hence, knowing about the possible complications remains important.
In men, genital warts may lead to the development of penile and anal cancers. Having larger warts may obstruct urinary flow, anus, urethra, and vagina in both men and women. It can affect sexual relations too.
Cervical and vulva cancers are the major diseases caused by HPV infections. Hence, if you have acquired an HPV infection such as genital warts it can lead to the development of precancerous changes in the cervical cells, a condition known as dysplasia, which can lead to cervical cancer. Having genital warts during pregnancy can make delivery complicated.
There are numerous ways to prevent genital warts. Because taking certain measures and precautions can eliminate this disease from occurring.
Vaccination for HPV is available, hence a great way to save yourself from the risk of acquiring this infection. Moreover, the good news is that the vaccine not only helps to prevent genital warts but is also effective against various kinds of cancer caused by HPV.
However, the point to be noted is that sometimes people may experience HPV even after vaccination, but the chances will become minimal to rare. Take the example of the COVID-19 vaccine. Some people are getting infected by the virus despite being vaccinated. But at the end of the day, accomplishing the tasks which are in our hands remains necessary. people aged 9-14 receive two doses of vaccination over six months. While people aged 15 and above receive three doses over six months.
Unprotected sex gives rise to many sexually transmitted diseases including HPV. Using condoms during sexual activities can help prevent the virus or lower its chances.
However, areas not covered by condoms may experience warts.
Limiting your sexual partners has been shown to prevent HPV and other STDs.
About 99% of diseases have one of their causes to be smoking or heavy drinking. Hence, avoiding or limiting smoke and alcohol intake can prevent HPV.
Fact: Smoking can cause cancers, heart diseases, stroke, problems of the immune system, and lung diseases.
The virus is highly contagious and you do not know who is infected with the virus. So, avoiding unnecessary skin contact with other people can help prevent the infection.
Having a strong immune system will fight off the infection easily. Working on boosting your immune system by maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, managing personal hygiene, and keeping yourself hydrated will protect you from diseases.
If you have acquired genital warts, it’s important to take safety measures to further prevent them from spreading.
Here is what you can do:
Keep your genital areas clean and dry.
Do not touch or scratch warts or completely wash your hands if you have touched them.
Don’t engage in sexual activities while having HPV.
Use a dryer to dry the areas with genital warts.
During intercourse, use latex condoms.
Avoid skin contact with any other person.
Don’t shave the areas with warts
use bamboo fabric natural anitibacterial underwear
The simple answer is HPV is not treatable, but the warts are curable. So, all in all, there is no cure for HPV infection. And even if your warts have been treated, you may still have the virus. The recurrence and severity of the disease depend on your immune system, the type of virus strain you have been affected by, and the amount of virus. (Viral load). So, the only solution is to take preventive measures and promote healthy living instead of worrying about its cure.
Bottom Line: For HPV itself, there is no cure. There is the only treatment available for the disease it causes such as cervical cancer or genital warts.
These remedies aren’t the substitute of medicine or surgical therapies. But you can use them along with your ongoing treatment to ease symptoms and strengthen your immune system.
Using folate and Vitamin B12 supplements
Intake of antioxidant-rich food
Adding apple cider vinegar to your diet.
Using green tea and garlic
Eating vegetables.
Intake of food that boosts your immune system like leafy green vegetables, almonds, beans, whole grains
Using untibacterial bamboo fiber underwear
early detection of warts
Apart from genital areas, HPV commonly occurs in the oral cavity causing a wart-like appearance. People engaged in oral sex are most likely to suffer from oral HPV.
One of the rare but possible complications of oral HPV is oropharyngeal cancer.
Symptoms of oropharyngeal cancer include:
Consistent sore throat
Difficulty in swallowing
Growth and lump on the neck and cheeks
Coughing with blood
Constant weight loss and earaches
According to research, each year approximately less than 15000 people acquire HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer.
The virus can enter the person’s mouth through a cut or tear causing the infection. And as said previously, oral sex is the mainstay of its development.
Risk Factors of Oral Warts:
Smoking
Drinking alcohol
Oral sex
Multiple sexual partners
Mouth kissing
In males
Treatment for oral warts is the same as genital warts, except for using topical medications. Treatment includes:
Surgical removal
Interferon injection
Chemotherapy
Prevention of oral warts is also similar to genital warts. Additionally, using dental dams during oral sex or trying to avoid oral sex is moreover a precautionary measure. Checking your mouth frequently for any abnormalities further helps in early identification.
In short, genital warts are easily curable and preventable. You only need to have awareness about this ailment, and you are ready to defeat genital warts.
As its risk factor surrounds habitual sexual activities, people should be cautious to take preventive measures. Although genital warts themselves aren’t life-threatening or serious, irritability and reduced quality of life caused by them can be frustrating. So, it’s better to prevent them from happening.
All information provided on IMAS is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your physician regarding the applicability of any information on this site with respect to your symptoms or medical conditions 2022 IMAS All Rights Reserved.
