Soft growth which appears on the genital is known as genital warts. It can cause discomfort, pain & itching. It is one of the common sexually transmitted infections. The wart is formed by the low-risk strains of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus). Genital warts affect moist tissue in the genital area.
Warts look like cauliflower; they are like small, flesh-colored bumps. In most cases, warts are too small that they are not visible at all. Some strains of Human Papilloma Virus causes genital wart while the other strains cause cancer.
Signs and Symptoms of Genital Wart
Among the women, genital wart grows on the vagina walls, vulva, the area between the anus & external genitals, the anal canal & the cervix. In men, genital wart grows on the tip of the penis, anus, or scrotum.
A genital wart can also grow in the mouth or throat of an individual who had oral sex with an infected person. The symptoms & signs include the following:
- Small skin-colored pink or brown swelling in the genital area.
- A cauliflower-like shape triggered by many warts close together.
- Discomfort or itching in the genital area
- Bleeding during intercourse
Genital warts are so small that it is hardly visible. It is imperative to seek consultation with the doctor when an individual develops warts or bumps in the genital area.
Genital warts always spread through sexual contact. Warts do not have to be visible for spreading the infection to the sexual partner.
Risk factors
Sexually active people get infected with genital warts at some time and it is the doctor who determines whether Genital Wart Removal is necessary. Here are the factors that increase the risk of getting infected includes:
- Indulging in unprotected sex with multiple sex partner
- Previous history of having sexually transmitted diseases
- Having sex with someone whose sexual history is unknown.
- Sexually active at a younger age.
- Compromised immune system from HIV or from taking organ transplant drug.
Diagnosis of genital warts is done through physical examination. At times conducting a biopsy becomes necessary.
Treatment
Visible genital warts go away with time but HPV can linger on the skin cells. It means that a person will have several outbreaks in their entire life. Thus, managing the symptoms is necessary as you want to evade spreading the virus to others.
Genital wart requires the supervision of an expert doctor and cannot be treated using over-the-counter medication. The wart also returns after the treatment is done but no particular treatment for the virus so far.
All about the surgery
If the visible wart does not go with time, minor surgery might be required for Genital Wart Removal. The doctor can use any of the below-mentioned surgical options and which include:
- Cryotherapy that is freezing using liquid nitrogen. The process works by forming blisters around the wart. As the skin heals, the lesions slough off & allowing new skin to appear.
- Electrocautery: electric current is used for burning warts. Some kind of pain and swelling might be experienced by the person undergoing the treatment.
- Surgical excision: Doctor just like Private Mole Removal makes use of a special tool for cutting warts. General anesthesia or local anesthesia is applied for the treatment & you might experience pain afterward.
- Laser treatment: In this form of treatment intense beam of light is used. It is expensive & is only reserved for extensive treatment of warts. The side effect of this type of surgery is pain & scarring.
When to seek consultation
When you understand some kind of growth in the genital area, make sure to talk with the doctor. The doctor is the ultimate option to determine if you have a genital wart and what will be the appropriate treatment option for you.
After seeking consultation with your doctor, it is necessary that you disclose everything to your sexual partner. It might be a difficult task for you but when you talk openly with your partner about the condition, you will subsequently protect your partner from getting infected with HPV & genital warts.
Genital wart is a common sexual infection & is treatable. Warts disappear with time but treatment is crucial to prevent the return of warts & possible complications. Schedule a prior appointment with the doctor.
