Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus. More than 30 types of HPV can be infected the genital area. They are common warts seen on the fingers, hands and face. It can be transmitted through skin to skin contact, unprotective sex or sexual contact. The HPV can enter the body through microscopic tears in the superficial layers of the skin, cervix or vagina. It can multiply to cause genital warts. The infection can be located on the vulva of the woman and the testicles of the man, the HPV can spread to the partner during sexual contact. Genital warts occur about one million cases every year. It often grows rapidly when a person’s immune system is weakened by HIV/AIDS, Hodgkin’s disease, diabetes and taking anti-rejection drugs.

Causes of Genital Warts

Like warts that appear on other areas of your skin, genital warts are caused by a virus - HPV - that infects the top layers of your skin. There are more than 100 different types of HPV, but only a few can cause genital warts. These strains of the virus are highly contagious and spread through sexual contact with an infected person. About two-thirds of people who have sexual contact with someone who has genital warts develop the condition - usually within three months of contact, but in some cases not for years.

Signs and Symptoms of genital warts

The signs and symptoms of genital warts include:

Poor hygiene and nutrition.
Having another sexually transmitted disease.
Medical conditions that suppress the immune system.
Having unprotected sex with multiple partners.
Tiny, gray, pink or red swellings in your genital area that grow quickly.
Several warts close together that take on a cauliflower shape.
Itching or burning in your genital area.

Risk factors

Having unprotected sex with multiple partners increases your risk of becoming infected with HPV. Other risk factors include:

Having another sexually transmitted disease
Poor nutrition and hygiene
Medical conditions that suppress the immune system

Sometimes warts may grow only during pregnancy, possibly due to changes in the immune system.

Treatment of genital warts

Surgery Treatment

Surgical excision - Special tools and local anesthesia may be used for this treatment. Special tools may use by doctor to cut off genital warts. Your doctor may also use Electrocautery to burn off warts.

Freezing with liquid nitrogen - It is also known as cryotherapy treatment. Your doctor may use freezing with liquid nitrogen to the lesions slough off and allowing new skin to appear.

Laser treatment - This treatment can be expensive but it is safe and effective. It is a good treatment for extensive genital warts.

Medications Treatment

Podofilox - Your doctor will recommend precautionary steps to prevent the medication from irritating surrounding skin. Don’t apply Podofilox internally on the infected area.

Imiquimod - Imiquimod cream is very helpful to fight genital warts. If the cream is on infected area, you should avoid sexual contact. It can be irritated your partner’s skin.

Trichloroacetic acid - Apply Trichloroacetic acid on affected area by your healthcare provider. It is helpful to burns off genital warts. Don’t use OTC reliever to treat the genital wart; it can cause irritation and pain.

Prevention tips

Avoid sexual contact with a person who is infected with HPV.
You or your partner uses a latex condom during sexual contact.
Vaccination may protect against HPV.

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