Genital warts are one of the most common types of sexually transmitted infections. It is caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). It occurs more often in women than in men.
The formation affects the mucous membrane of the genitals. These are small growths, often similar to cauliflower.
Some types of genital HPV trigger the development of cancer cells. Vaccination is used to prevent these health problems.
symptoms
In women, genital warts can grow on the external genitalia, the vaginal wall, the area between the external genitalia and the anus, the anal canal, and the cervix. In men, the glans penis, scrotum or anus is affected. These growths sometimes form in the mouth or throat after oral sex with an infected person.
Symptoms of genital warts:
- The appearance of small, flesh-colored or gray swellings in the genital area.
- A group of several warts located close to each other.
- Itching or discomfort in the genital area.
- Bleeding during sexual intercourse.
Genital warts can be so small and flat that they cannot be seen with the naked eye. Sometimes they form large groups.
You should see a doctor if a woman or her partner has lumps or warts in the genital area.
Cause
There are more than 40 different types of HPV that affect the genital area. People with weakened immune systems are vulnerable to HPV infection. They are more likely to experience health problems.
Risk factors
Factors that can increase the risk of infection include:
- unprotected sex with multiple partners;
- suppressed immunity (for example, people living with HIV are at high risk of getting HPV);
- sexual activity at an early age.
Genital complications after illness:
- Cancer.This disease is closely related to infection of the genital organs. Some types of HPV are also linked to cancer of the anus, penis, mouth and throat. Human papillomavirus does not always lead to cancer, but women should have regular Pap smears, especially if they are at high risk of HPV infection.
- Problems during pregnancy.The formation may enlarge, making it difficult to urinate. A tumor on the vaginal wall reduces the ability of the vaginal tissue to stretch during childbirth. Genital or vaginal warts that bleed during childbirth. Mothers often transmit viruses to children, and babies develop warts, which are very dangerous in the throat. In this case, a thorough examination and removal of the tumor is required so that the child can breathe freely.
Prevention
To prevent the development of HPV-related diseases, it is recommended:
- Use a condom during sexual intercourse.This significantly reduces the risk of getting genital warts.
- Get vaccinated.This medicine protects against four types of HPV that cause cancer and is used to prevent genital warts.
Other vaccines protect against cervical cancer but not genital warts.
Routine HPV vaccination is recommended for girls and boys ages 11 and 12. If vaccination is not given in childhood, it is recommended that girls and women under the age of 26, and boys and men under the age of 21, receive the vaccine.
This medicine is effective if given before sexual activity. Research has shown that people under the age of 21 and from 21 to 30 years who have received the HPV vaccine are 50% protected from infection.
Side effects from the vaccine are minor and include pain at the injection site (shoulder), headache, low-grade fever or flu-like symptoms. Sometimes dizziness or fainting occurs after the injection, especially in teenagers.
Diagnostics
Genital warts are often hard to spot, so your doctor will apply a weak acetic acid solution to the genitals to whiten the warts. Then they are examined through a special magnifying device - a colposcope.
Pap test
It is important for women to have regular pelvic examinations and vaginal cytology smears (Pap smears). This test helps to detect changes in the vagina and cervix caused by genital warts or early signs of cervical cancer.
A smear is taken during a gynecological examination with a special brush from the outer and inner surface of the cervix. The procedure is painless and takes 5-10 seconds. The cells are examined under a microscope.
HPV test
Some types of genital HPV are associated with cervical cancer. Tissue samples taken during a Pap test are tested for strains of HPV that cause cancer. It is performed on women aged 30 years and above.
Treatment
If the wart does not cause discomfort, treatment is not required. But if there is itching, burning and pain, or the wart causes emotional stress, then the formation is removed with the help of drugs or surgical methods. Tumors may return after treatment.
Medicines for the treatment of genital warts
Preparations used on the skin:
- Imidazoquinolone cream. Strengthens the immune system's ability to fight genital warts. Sexual intercourse should be avoided while the cream is on the skin. This weakens the effect of the condom and diaphragm and causes skin irritation on your partner.
Side effects: skin redness, blisters, body aches, cough, rash and fatigue. - Podophyllotoxin- a plant-based resin that destroys genital wart tissue.
When using the product, you need to know the precautions to avoid irritation. This medicine is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Side effects: mild skin irritation, itching. - Trichloroacetic acid.This medicine burns genital warts and is used to remove internal warts. Side effects include mild skin irritation, ulcers or itching.
- Synecatechin.This cream is used to treat external genital warts and warts in or around the anus. Side effects include skin redness, itching or burning.
You can not self-medicate so as not to provoke serious complications.
Surgery
Warts that cannot be treated are surgically removed. Treatment options:
- Freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy).As healing progresses, the affected area disappears. If the effect is not significant, repeated treatment is required. Pain and swelling are side effects.
- Electrocautery.A procedure that uses an electric current to burn the wart.
- Surgical removal.Warts are removed with special instruments and anesthesia is used.
- Laser procedure.The method, which uses an intense beam of light, is aimed at large warts. Side effects include scarring and pain.
All procedures are carried out by specialists under sterile conditions.