Genital Warts- What are Genital Warts?
Genital warts or condyloma acuminatum appear to infect about 1million of the 300 million Americans per year. Out of the approximately 100 identified human papilloma virus that cause warts, about thirty are capable of invading the genital area. Most are a benign anxiety causing nuisance. A few, such as Types 16 and 18 are the apparent cause of female cervical cancer. Cervical cancer can be devastating and cause infertility and even death. They can cause cancers in other areas of the female genital tract, and rarely in and on the male genitals. There is a new vaccine which results in immunity to papilloma viruses 6, 11, 16, and 18. The vaccine is given to girls/women between the ages of 9 and 23. It is effective in preventing cervical cancer. It is being tested for older women. It is now approved for young males as well.
Warts are pretty standard looking skin pathology. They are usually flat, mildly elevated, and fleshy. They are cauliflower like in general surface appearance. They can be a millimeter in size, or grow together in patches of several centimeters. They must be searched for very carefully by a physician. They usually don’t hurt, but may become uncomfortable, irritated, or bleeding after trauma such as sexual activity. They can be virtually invisible within the vagina or cervix, or in the male urethra, and may need special techniques such as the gynecologic exam or magnifying scopes to see and diagnose. Genital or venereal warts usually do not spread to other parts of the body, but often can involve the anal area.
The best treatment is prevention. Use of a condom seems to somewhat inhibit its spread beyond its skin barrier effect. Meticulous care must be used not to contaminate the area before, during, and after sex. Shower and soap up and repeat after any sexual activity as soon as possible. Abstinence until marriage is the best way for people not to end up with venereal warts. Like other STD’s, the more sexual partners there are, the more is the risk of contracting genital warts.
There are several ways genital warts can be treated. Two prescription creams, can be used at home under a physician’s supervision. These usually only works on very small and new genital warts. In the office they can be removed by minor surgery under local anesthetic. The most effective way to treat warts. They tend to come back in a year depending on how they are treated. If not completely disposed of at one time they will usually return. Sometimes several close surgeries may need to be done with recheck in a few weeks to be sure that every fragment is completely gone forever. They can be frozen, cauterized with an electrodessication, or have a chemical caustic applied to them. In severe cases the very expensive alpha-interferon can be injected directly into the lesion. An ablative laser works very well, and is done under regional or general anesthesia.
Here’s what you can do:
Practice sexual discretion and hygiene. Realize this virus is really out there. Use a condom if sexual activity is chosen.
Have your physician check you if warts appear around the genital or anal areas.
Discuss treatment options with your physician.
Use at-home meds exactly as instructed, report adverse effects to your physician.
If you are between ages 9 and 23, consider the new immunization.
Have your annual gynecology exam.
If you contract genital warts, recommend an exam for your partner.
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