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Genital Warts - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Alternative Names: Condyloma Acuminatum, Fig Wart, Moist Wart, Pointed Wart, Venereal Wart, Verruca Acuminata
Definition:
Genital warts are small, benign (harmless) growths caused by a viral infection i.e. Human papillomavirus, typically HPV 6 and HPV 11. A female with genital warts is at an increased risk for developing cervical cancer. Genital warts often occur in clusters and can be very tiny or can spread into large masses on genital tissues. If left untreated, genital warts often disappear.
Genital Warts are highly contagious sexually transmitted disease. Genital warts can be transmitted from one person to another and they can travel from one part of the body to another. They occur on the skin or the mucous membrane. The mucous membrane is tissue that lines the nose, throat, digestive tract, and other body openings.
Causes of Genital Wart:
Some important causes of genital wart are as:-

The main cause of the genital wart is - Human papillomavirus, that infects the top layers of your skin.

To some extent, excessive use of tobacco and alcohol, may lead to formation of genital warts.

Premalignant and malignant cervical cancers in women, also increases the chances of occurring of genital wart.

A person with sexual transmitted disease are more prone to get affected by genital wart.

Genital wart, most commonly occurs in persons undergoing stress condition.

In some cases, use of birth control pills, increased sexual contact without the use of barrier protection, multiple sex partners, and having sex at a early age, may lead to the condition of genital wart.

About two-thirds of people who have sexual contact with someone already having genital warts - develop genital warts very easily.

Symptoms of genital warts:
Some important symptoms of genital wart are as:-

Difficulty may be experienced while swallowing food.

During genital wart, you may have the difficulty in passing urine.

The feeling of itching or burning around the sex organs, may be seen.

An abnormal vaginal bleeding may occur in genital wart patient after sexual intercourse.

Small fluid-filled blisters may occur, which can be very painful. With the first infection they can even take around 2 to 4 weeks to heal properly.

When HPV infection remain for too long term, gives the indication of genital wart.

Genital wart increases vaginal discharge.

A flu-like illness, backache, headache, swollen glands or fever are the common symptoms during genital wart.

The small white/yellow/gray bumpy spots may occur on the sex organs and anus.

In some Chronic Cases, cervical cancer may also occur in genital wart suffering patients.

Treatments for Genital Warts:
Some effective treatments for genital wart are as:-

Cryotherapy: It is a very suitable remedy for genital wart. In this treatment, doctor freeze off the wart with liquid nitrogen.

Electrocautery or Diathermy physically destroys the warts by burning them. Local or general anaesthesia can be used.

Imiquimod Cream: This cream helps in destroying genital wart.

Podophyllin: It is a chemical compound that must be applied by a doctor or nurse to the affected area of the skin.

Podofilox Cream or Gel: This is a self-applied treatment for external genital warts. It is easy to use and is safe, and should be applied for about 4 weeks.

Fluorouracil Cream: It is used mainly to get rid of pain, that occur during intercourse.

Surgical Excision: Your doctor may use special tools to cut off warts. You'll need local anesthesia for this treatment.

TCA (Trichloracetic Acid) is another chemical applied to the surface of the wart by a doctor or a nurse.

Laser Therapy: During this treatment, warts are destroyed by introducing the laser light to the affected area. This is used for larger or extensive warts.