A genital wart is one of those sexually transmitted diseases that can easily spread through skin-to-skin or sexual contact. It is defined as a growth, a skin change or a bump in the skin, especially in the genital area or around the anus, caused by the human papillomavirus, or better known as HPV. Do remember that not everyone who has the virus develops genital warts. For those who have visible warts on their skin, no need to fret as it would vanish from the skin as time progresses. This can’t cause long health problems, too.
How are genital warts passed on?
It all boils down to sexual contact. Both men and women who are sexually active can pass on the virus.
Here are other ways to pass on genital warts.
Genital warts can be passed on from one person to another through anal or vaginal sex—and without protection.
It can also be passed through skin-to-skin contact, so penetration need not occur. This is just by skin-to-skin contact.
Genital warts can’t penetrate the condoms but since condoms can’t cover all, genital warts can infect the skin not covered.
Whether the warts are visible or not on the skin, it can still be passed on.
It is uncommon for the warts to show up in the mouth, or the lips.
Genital warts can also spread from the genital area to the anus without having to undergo anal sex.
Genital warts can’t be passed on through kissing, exchanging utensils at home, hugging each other, swimming laps in the pool, sharing baths, from using the same toilets or sharing materials.
What are the symptoms and signs?
Most men and women who have the HPV don’t know that they are infected because the virus would just disappear on its own.
If they do have the virus, it can appear dramatically many months or years after the first contact. There might appear small bumps in the skin in the genital area or in the anus part.
Here are just some of the symptoms and signs of having genital warts.
In women, warts are likely to be found in the vulva or the opening of the vagina, the cervix, inside the anus, the vagina itself or the upper thighs.
In men these warts can appear on the penis, the urethra, the upper thighs and the scrotum.
You may or may not see them. These are tiny in nature and you need to scrutinize your skin so you get to notice them.
Warts can appear in groups or in their own.
These can be smooth or flat or pink and cauliflower-like lumps.
These are naturally painless but at times, they can be itchy. These may also cause some inflammation.
These may cause other discomfort, such as blood in the anus or in the urethra and it may stop the flow of urine.
How would you know if you have the virus?
Oftentimes only a doctor or a nurse can confirm if you have the virus by taking a look at you. On the other hand, if you think you have the symptom and the signs, then better head to the hospital or the clinic.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, a dermatologist can diagnose the warts when you visit the office. “Sometimes a dermatologist will remove a wart or part of it and send it to a laboratory,” it says. “This can confirm that a patient has genital warts.”
However you may need to be checked up when these occur:
If you or your partner thinks you have the symptoms.
If you have unprotected sex just recently or you and your partner have unprotected sex with other partners.
When a sexual partner says to you that they have the virus.
When you are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant.
When you have another sexually transmitted infection.
How is a genital wart treated?
Most genital warts disappear by themselves. But according to the American Academy of Dermatology, removing warts has its advantages: “Lowers the risk of spreading the virus; can relieve any pain and itching; lets a person know that the growths are genital warts, not cancer; removes warts that can be hard to keep clean.”
So if you want to have your warts removed, you better see a doctor. Don’t just buy wart medicines without the prescription.
Here are some of the different treatments for genital warts.
Medicines: Often than not, the dermatologist can prescribe to you medicine that you can use to treat your warts. These include the Podofilox for external warts, Imiquimod and ointment made of green tea extracts.
Procedures: A little bit of operation but when you go to a dermatologist, these may be performed on you—cryosurgery; excision, which means cutting off the warts, electrocautery, which is getting rid of the warts with electric current; and laser treatment.
Other treatments: Medicines injected into the warts.
There may also be side effects to these treatments so better talk to your dermatologist or doctor about it.
