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Genital Warts

Genital Warts: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

A genital wart is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) that affects the genital area and the anus. Unlike other kinds of warts and cancer, they are caused by a different type of human papillomavirus (HPV). A discussion of genital warts' causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention will be presented in this blog post.

Causes of Genital Warts

There are low-risk strains of HPV that cause genital warts, mainly HPV 6 and HPV 11. These strains do not cause cancer, but they can cause warts to grow on the skin or mucous membranes of the genitals and anus. During sexual activity, HPV can be transmitted from person to person. It can also be transmitted by sharing sex toys and touching infected areas. It can also be spread by skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

The infection of HPV does not always cause symptoms or complications. Most people with HPV do not know they have it and do not develop genital warts. In some people, however, genital warts may develop after being infected with HPV. It can take weeks, months, or years for genital warts to appear after being exposed to HPV.

Symptoms of Genital Warts

The size, shape, color, and number of genital warts vary. They can be flat or raised, smooth or rough, flesh-colored or darker than the surrounding skin. As well as causing itching, burning, pain, bleeding, or discharge, they can also interfere with urination, sexual function, or childbirth. They may appear as single warts or clusters of warts.

A genital wart can affect the genitals and anus in different ways, depending on the type of sexual contact that caused it. In people assigned male at birth (AMAB), genital warts may affect the penis, scrotum, groin, thighs, or inside or around the anus. In people assigned as female at birth (AFAB), genital warts can affect the vulva, vagina (including inside), cervix, or anus. Those who have had oral sex with an infected person may also develop genital warts on their lips, mouth, tongue, or throat.

Diagnosis of Genital Warts

It's important to see a healthcare provider as soon as possible if you notice any changes or growths in your genital area. Your provider will examine your genitals and ask about your sexual history and symptoms. To check for HPV infection, they may also take a sample of tissue from the wart or perform a Pap test (for AFAB).

There is no specific test for HPV infection in AMAB. Some providers may offer anal Pap tests for AMAB who are more likely to develop anal cancer due to HPV infection. The list includes men who have sex with men (MSM), HIV-positive individuals, and people with weak immune systems.

Treatment of Genital Warts

Although HPV infection and genital warts cannot be cured, there are treatments that can reduce the risk of spreading the infection. These treatments include:

  • You or your provider can apply creams, gels, liquids, or patches to the warts. Topical medications are medications that destroy wart tissue or stimulate the immune system to fight the virus. Examples include podophyllin, podofilox, imiquimod, sinecatechins, trichloroacetic acid (TCA), and salicylic acid.

  • In cryotherapy, the warts are frozen with liquid nitrogen by your provider, which causes them to blister and fall off within a few days.

  • During electrocautery, your provider burns the warts using an electric current. This destroys the wart tissue and seals the blood vessels.

  • A laser is used by your provider to vaporize warts. This is usually reserved for warts that are large or difficult to remove.

  • Your provider will cut off the warts with a scalpel or scissors under local anesthesia.

  • An interferon injection boosts your immune system to fight the virus and is usually used if other treatments do not work.

There are a number of factors that influence the choice of treatment, such as the size, location, number, and type of warts, your preference and tolerance, your provider's experience and equipment, and the cost and availability of treatments.

Warts may recur after treatment due to swelling, redness, irritation, scarring, infection, or recurrence of warts. You may require more than one treatment session to achieve the desired results. In order to prevent complications, you should follow your provider's instructions on how to care for the treated area.

Prevention of Genital Warts

Ideally, you should abstain from sexual activity or have a mutually monogamous relationship with a partner who is not infected with HPV. If you are sexually active, you can reduce your risk by:

  • When having sex, use condoms or dental dams. However, condoms and dental dams don't cover all the areas that can be infected by HPV, so they may not provide complete protection.

  • It is recommended that everyone aged 9 to 26 years, preferably before becoming sexually active, get vaccinated against HPV. There are vaccines that can prevent you from genital warts and cervical cancer. Although the vaccines do not protect against all types of HPV, they do not eliminate the need for regular screenings and safe sex practices.

  • It is important to be screened regularly for HPV and cervical cancer (for AFAB). Pap tests can identify abnormal cells in the cervix that may be caused by HPV infections. These cells can eventually develop into cervical cancer if left untreated. As part of a routine pelvic exam, these tests are usually performed together in order to detect genital warts in the cervix as well as HPV. Based on your age, risk factors, and previous test results, your provider will recommend how often you should get screened.

  • Drinking alcohol and smoking excessively can weaken your immune system and make you more vulnerable to HPV infection.

  • It is important to seek treatment as soon as possible if you have genital warts or suspect you have HPV infection in order to reduce the risk of spreading the infection to others.

Outlook

Warts are not life-threatening, but they can cause physical and emotional distress. In addition to increasing your risk of developing other STIs or cancers due to HPV infection, seeking medical attention and following the appropriate treatment and prevention measures are important.

The course of genital warts depends on several factors, including your immune system, the type of HPV, and the treatment method. They may go away on their own without treatment, but they may recur after treatment. Genital warts cannot be predicted how long they will last or whether they will return.

If you don't have visible warts or symptoms, you may still have HPV infection, allowing you to transmit it to others. Therefore, you should make your current and future sexual partners aware of your condition and practice safe sex.

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