18/07/2019
Ge***al Warts and HPV
Warts are caused by viruses and can appear anywhere on the body. Those that show up in the ge***al area are caused by the human papillomavirus, commonly called HPV, and are easily transmitted by s*xual contact.
HPV infection is the most common s*xually transmitted disease (STD) in North America. Certain forms of the virus can cause cervical, re**al, and pe**le cancer. According to the CDC, at least 50% of s*xually active men and women will get a ge***al HPV infection at some point in their lives.
After a person has been infected by HPV, it may take one to three months (or longer in some cases) for warts to appear. Some people who have been infected never get warts. If you think you have been infected, see your doctor, even if you cannot see warts.
What Do Ge***al Warts Look Like?
Ge***al warts look like small flesh-colored, pink or red growths in or around the s*x organs. The warts may look similar to the small parts of a cauliflower or they may be very tiny and difficult to see. They often appear in clusters of three or four, and may grow and spread rapidly. They usually are not painful, although they may cause mild pain, bleeding, and itching.
Ge***al Wart Symptoms
Like many STDs, HPV does not always have visible symptoms. But when symptoms do occur, warts may be seen around the ge***al area. In women, warts can develop on the outside and inside of the va**na, on the cervix (the opening to the uterus), or around the a**s. In men, they may be seen on the tip of the p***s, the shaft of the p***s, on the sc***um, or around the a**s. Ge***al warts also can develop in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral s*x with an infected person.
Because there is no way to predict whether the warts will grow or disappear, people who suspect that they have been infected should be examined and treated, if necessary.
Ge***al Wart Testing
Your doctor may perform the following tests to check for ge***al warts and/or related STDs:
An examination of visible growths to see if they look like ge***al warts
Application of a mild acetic acid (vinegar) solution to highlight less visible growths
A complete pelvic exam and Pap smear (for women)
A specialized test for HPV, collected in a way similar to a Pap smear
Biopsy of cervical tissue to make sure there are no abnormal cells that could develop into HPV-related cervical cancer; a cervical biopsy involves taking a small sample of tissue from the cervix and examining it under a microscope.
Examination of the re**um
Sometimes female patients are referred to a gynecologist (a doctor who specializes in female reproductive health) for further testing and biopsy.
Ge***al Wart Treatment
Unfortunately, no treatment can kill the HPV virus that causes the ge***al warts. Your doctor can remove the warts with laser therapy or by freezing or applying chemicals. Some prescription treatments are available for at home use. Surgery may be necessary for ge***al warts that are large or difficult to treat. Still, recurrence remains a problem. You may need to return to your doctor for more treatment.
What Should I Do While I Have the Warts?
If you have ge***al warts:
Keep the area as dry as possible.
Wear all-cotton underwear. Man-made fabrics can irritate the area and trap moisture.
What Happens If I Don't Get Treated?
Unfortunately, despite treatment, having HPV can increase your risk of cervical, re**al, and pe**le cancer. But not all forms of the virus are associated with these cancers. If you have ge***al warts, it is important to get annual check-ups to screen for cancer.
HPV and Ge***al Wart Prevention
Your best bet at preventing HPV infection and ge***al warts is to abstain from s*x or limit s*xual contact to one uninfected person. If that is not an option, condoms may provide some protection, but condoms are not 100% effective, because they do not cover the entire p***s or surrounding areas.
There are two vaccines approved to protect against HPV. Gardasil protects against infection from four strains of the HPV virus. Two of these strains, HPV-16 and HPV-18, account for about 70% of cervical cancers. The other two strains covered by the vaccine, HPV- 6 and HPV-11, account for about 90% of ge***al warts. The vaccine is approved for 9- to 26-year-old females and males.
Cervarix also protects against HPV-16 and HPV-18, and offers modest protection against ge***al warts.
These vaccines do not treat pre-existing conditions.
