Genital Warts - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Genital warts, also known as venereal warts, or condylomata acuminata, are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). More than 100 types of HPV are known to exist. Low risk types (HPV 1, 2, and 3) cause warts on the hands, feet, and other parts of the body. Types (6 and 11) can cause warts on the genitals or anus (genital warts), and other types (HPV 16 and 18) can cause cancer of the cervix, external genitalia, and anus. The HPV types that cause genital warts only rarely cause cancer. Genital warts are usually sexually transmitted and all partners should be checked thoroughly. They can also be seen in infants who have been delivered vaginally to mothers with HPV in their genital tracts; therefore, alternate methods of delivery should be considered.

Are Warts Dangerous?

There are over 100 kinds of HPV. Almost half of all the people in the United States have one of the types of HPV. For most people, HPV and the warts it causes are not a problem. A few kinds of HPV can be a problem for women. These kinds of HPV may cause cancer of the cervix—the mouth of the womb. If you have an annual Pap test, you can find out if you have HPV. You also can find out if the kind of HPV you have can cause cancer.

Causes of genital warts

Genital warts are transmitted by skin to skin contact during unprotected vaginal, oral or anal sex and by sharing sex toys. If you have genital contact with an infected partner and don't have sex you can still get the HPV. The virus can be passed even if the infected person has no symptoms.

In women, HPV can invade the vagina and cervix. These warts are flat and not easily visible without special procedures. Because HPV can lead to cancerous and precancerous changes in the cervix, it is important that this condition be diagnosed and treated. Regular pap smears are necessary to detect HPV or other abnormal changes related to this virus. Having both HPV and herpes virus together may put you at increased risk for cervical cancer.

What are the signs of genital warts?

Genital warts do not appear until two to four weeks after infection and sometimes months pass before the warts become visible.

Genital warts do not usually hurt, but they can be itchy. The warts have varied appearances - from completely flat warts to rough cauliflower-like warts. They can appear on their own or in groups.

Abnormal vaginal bleeding (not associated with a menstrual period) after sexual intercourse

Genital warts spread rapidly over moist areas, which means it is common for them to appear on both sides of the vulva or anus. It is possible for genital warts to also spread inside of the urethra or rectum.

Genital Warts Treatment

Genital warts in the early stages are the only viable strategy in genital wart treatment. By removing genital warts you push the virus out of its stronghold, the wart tissues. Without these virus factories HPV is forced to fall into an inactive state. When it happens the virus gets inserted into your DNA. It may sound freaky but it's the way things work. And it is still better than compromising your DNA by uncontrolled viral replication.

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