Learn more here. Genital warts are a common sexually transmitted infection. They can last months or even years. Learn more about how treatment can speed up recovery. Sexually transmitted infections STIs usually spread through sexual contact. Here, learn how to recognize, treat, and prevent some common STIs. Learn about three possible home remedies for genital warts.
We also look at lifestyle changes that could help, and when you should see a doctor. What to know about genital warts Medically reviewed by Carolyn Kay, M. What are they? Pictures Prevalence Treatment Prevention Causes Diagnosis Outlook Genital warts are fleshy growths that develop around the genitals or anus.
What are genital warts? How common are genital warts? Medically reviewed by Carolyn Kay, M. Exposure to air pollutants may amplify risk for depression in healthy individuals. Costs associated with obesity may account for 3. Related Coverage. Some people are prescribed topical medications that are applied on the warts for a specified period of time usually weeks or months. This type of treatment comes with instructions and follow-up visits to the healthcare provider 8.
In some cases, healthcare providers need to apply treatment themselves in a clinical setting. These treatments can include cryotherapy freezing warts with liquid nitrogen , electrocautery heat generated through electricity , laser removal, surgical removal, or application of chemical therapy 8.
Sometimes genital warts may reappear after they have already been treated—this is common within the first 3 months 8. While treatment for warts is not a cure, given enough time, a healthy body will usually resolve the infection on its own. Sometimes genital warts go away on their own when left untreated, while other times they stay the same, or even increase in number and size. When DNA from human papillomavirus is measured from samples of genital warts, sometimes more than one type of HPV shows up.
About a third of HPV strains found from genital wart biopsies can also contain high-risk, cancer-causing HPV strains This is why it is important to always get diagnosis and treatment from a professional, especially if the warts are bleeding, very firm or hard to the touch, or sores If left untreated, these high risk strains can cause cancer of the vulva, anus, or penis People who smoke cigarettes are more likely to have, or acquire, genital warts Smoking cigarettes is also associated with a recurrence of genital warts People who are a lowered immune system like with HIV , diabetes, or undergoing immunosuppressive therapy may be more likely to contract and develop genital warts, and additionally may be harder to treat 14,8.
Remember, not all bumps on the genitals are due to genital warts. Some small bumps are normal body variations, while other can be caused by skin infections, or by STIs such as genital herpes. When in doubt, talk to a healthcare provider. Are vaginal fluids really all that different? In this article, we explain how to identify vaginal discharge, arousal fluid, and cervical fluid.
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Close main menu Homepage Encyclopedia. Latex condoms can lower your risk of getting genital warts. After the infection occurs, it may spread to other areas of the genitals or to the anal area.
You can spread the virus even if you do not have any symptoms of infection or any visible warts. There is a small chance that a pregnant woman can pass the virus to her baby. Children can get genital warts from sexual abuse. Symptoms Human papillomavirus HPV infection Infection with the human papillomavirus HPV usually does not cause any symptoms and does not always produce visible genital warts. Symptoms that may occur with genital warts include: Irritation. Genital warts Genital warts can be different sizes and shapes.
They may be large, or they may be too small to be seen with the naked eye. They may appear individually or in groups. Warts may look like tiny bunches of cauliflower or like flat, white areas that are very difficult to see. In women and men, warts may appear in the groin, on and around the genitals, in the urethra , or in the rectum or anus. In women : Genital warts may appear around the anus or on the vulva , vagina, or cervix. Women are often unaware of warts inside the vagina or on the cervix until a doctor finds them.
In men : Genital warts may occur on the outside of the penis, on the scrotum , or around the anus. Men are often unaware they have genital warts, even when they can be seen, until the warts are identified by a doctor.
Symptoms of genital warts may be similar to those of other conditions. Common HPV types 6 and 11 produce visible warts. These warts may go away on their own, stay the same, or increase in number. Other HPV types, such as 16 and 18, do not produce visible genital warts.
These types, which may be found with a Pap test , are linked to precancerous cervical cell changes and cervical cancer.
HPV infection and cervical cell changes In women, most precancerous or cancerous cell changes associated with HPV infection occur on the cervix. HPV infection and anal and penile cancer Among people who receive anal sex, HPV infection of the anal canal is associated with an increased risk of anal cancer. HPV infection during pregnancy The presence of HPV and abnormal cell changes does not affect the outcome of the pregnancy. What Increases Your Risk Things that increase a person's risk for getting a sexually transmitted infection, such as HPV and genital warts, include: Having multiple sex partners.
Having high-risk partner s partner has multiple sex partners or HPV-infected sex partners. Having unprotected sexual contact not using latex condoms. Having an impaired immune system. When should you call your doctor? Call your doctor if you have any of the following symptoms: Sores, bumps, rashes, blisters, or warts on or around your genitals or anus Burning, pain, or severe itching while urinating For women , an abnormal vaginal discharge that smells bad For men , an abnormal discharge from your penis Call your doctor if you suspect you have been exposed to a sexually transmitted infection STI.
Avoid sexual contact until you have been examined by a doctor. Children A child can get genital warts in several ways. Watchful waiting A doctor should evaluate any warts or other symptoms that suggest infection with the human papillomavirus HPV or another sexually transmitted infection STI. The length of the watchful waiting period is based on: The severity of your symptoms.
The progression of the problem if not treated. The risks and benefits of waiting. Your age and medical history. Who to see In general, your family doctor or any of the following health professionals can determine whether you have genital warts: Nurse practitioner Physician assistant Internist Treatment may require a specialist, such as a: Gynecologist.
Exams and Tests A doctor usually can diagnose visible genital warts using your medical history and a physical exam. How do you know? Did your partner tell you? What are your symptoms? If you have discharge from the vagina or penis, it is important to note any smell or color. Did you use latex condoms to protect against STIs? Which sexual behaviors do you or your partner engage in, including high-risk behaviors such as sex with multiple partners?
Have you had an STI in the past? How was it treated? Have you ever had an abnormal Pap test for women? For women After your doctor takes your medical history, you will have a gynecological exam, which usually includes a Pap test. For men After the medical history, you will have a physical exam for genital warts. Doctors do not recommend a screening test for HPV infection in men. For men and women Some experts believe that people who receive anal sex should have a screening for anal cancer, especially if they also have HIV infection.
If visible warts are present, a diagnosis can usually be made without more testing. Genital warts may disappear without treatment. This is the natural course of many genital warts. Destroying large areas of warts is difficult and may cause scarring. Treatment for genital warts does not eliminate the HPV infection.
You may still be able to spread the infection. Latex condoms can help reduce the risk of HPV infection. Treatment of genital warts can be painful, and warts may return after treatment. Warts that return after being treated usually are not treated again unless you want to be retreated.
If you do, you would usually choose a different form of treatment. Types of treatment Treatments for genital warts include medicines, freezing, laser, or surgery. The type of medical treatment for genital warts will depend on: The number, size, and location of warts. The side effects of treatment. The skill of the doctor for each treatment option. The cost of treatment, which varies depending on: The cost of medicine.
Any specialized equipment used. The number of treatments needed. The problems caused by the warts such as blockage of the urethra. Your preference. If you are pregnant. Some wart medicines should not be used during pregnancy.
Medicines Doctors often recommend medicine applied to warts topical drug treatment as the first choice of treatment. Surgery and other treatment Surgery to remove genital warts may be done when: Medicine treatment has failed and the removal of warts is considered necessary. Warts are widespread. What to think about Without treatment, external genital warts may remain unchanged, increase in size or number, or go away. Treatment of warts usually requires a series of applications rather than a single treatment.
Warts in moist areas usually respond better to treatments applied to the area, such as creams or acids. Warts on dry skin may respond best to freezing cryotherapy or surgical removal. Cryotherapy may be done when genital warts are visible and bothersome and are growing in a small area. Repeat treatments may be needed to remove all wart tissue. The success of surgery is related to the number of warts. The success rate is higher and additional treatments are less likely to be needed when surgery is done on fewer and smaller warts.
Scheinfeld N. Condylomata acuminata anogenital warts in adults: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features and diagnosis. Genital warts: A fact sheet from the Office on Women's Health.
Grennan D. Genital warts. JAMA patient page. HPV vaccine scheduling and dosing. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. FDA approves expanded use of Gardasil 9 to include individuals 27 through 45 years old.
Food and Drug Administration. Human Papillomavirus HPV infection. Merck Manual Professional Version. Pap and HPV tests. Human Papillomavirus HPV. Vaccinating boys and girls. Accessed Nov. Related Female genital warts Male genital warts. Associated Procedures Pap smear.
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