Genital warts, is a sexually transmitted viral infection caused by Human Papilloma virus (HPV). This virus (HPV) causes males to have warts on their penises and on their vulvas for women.Some types of the virus can result in changes in tissue texture in cervix and cause cervical cancer.
What is Condyloma or HPV?
Genital warts are warts that appear on the genitals, groin, and ovary skin in men, and have increased in number and size recently.
It is a viral disease caused by the wart-forming virus (Human papilloma virus-HPV) in humans. Infection by this virus is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the world.
HPV – How Are Genital Warts Transmitted?
HPV is mostly (90%) transmitted by sexual contact. It can also be transmitted by oral or anal intercourse. Also, full sexual intercourse is not necessary for transmission. Viruses taken from warts containing viruses, especially during sexual contact, are taken from damaged skin-mucosa.
In general, the risk of infecting the partner of an individual with genital warts is 64%. The risk of female-to-male transmission is higher than the risk of male-to-female transmission. In this respect, the number of sexual partners can be considered as a risk factor for the transmission of the disease. It is known that the disease is more common in polygamous and those who start sexual intercourse at an early age.
It frequently appears after unprotected sex with previously infected partner.
The chance of appearance for genital warts in the society is 1-2%. It is most frequently seen at peak sexual ages, between 18-25.
Creams used in its treatment are not nearly as effective as burning the warts or removing them surgically.The chance of relapse (recurring) for treated patients is 30%.
It is not clear how HPV virus spreads other than sexually.To procted yourself from the warts in the outter genitals, one should avoid infected materials from contacting the region and epilation materials must not be used mutually.Using condoms can protect the cervix however, it cannot protect the outter genital region.Non sexually transmitting includes unsterilised waxing materials in wax salons, shaving razors used on genital region, tattooing and piercing materials, unhygienic toilets.
The virus penetrates the body through the damaged skin due to rubbing.
Using condoms may reduce the spread of HPV by a small amount however, they cannot fully protect the person from wart infections.
HPV transmitted sexually remains in the body as a latent infection for a while.This time can be between weeks and years. Another possibility is that the person shows no symptoms after being infected by HPV.
Warts which appear because of HPV infection appear to be clustered and have a cauliflower-like texture.Clustered genital warts are called “Condylom” or “Condyloma Accumulata”.
Virgin women can also have genital warts.Microscopically damaged skin in the genital region is enough for the virus to enter the body.
How Are Genital Warts Treated?
Clearing the virus from the body completely can only be achieved by the immune system. Our aim in treatment is to remove warts. For this purpose, different treatment methods can be used. The treatment method is decided according to the number and size of the wart, the region where it is located, the experience and possibilities of the physician. Despite all these treatments, the risk of recurrence is 25-65%. That’s why I follow my patients with 2-week and monthly check-ups in wart treatments.
Basically, the most common treatment method is removal of the wart with laser or electrocautery under local anesthesia. Surgical excision can be applied in larger warts. Ice cream, namely cryotherapy, is a method mostly applied by dermatologists. The tissue that dies as a result of freezing is cleaned over time.
One of the cream treatments, imiquimod is applied 3 nights a week and applied for 6-8 weeks. It acts by activating the immune system. May cause skin reactions (such as itching, redness). The other treatment is the removal of silica with an acidic solution (trichloroacetic acid) and is administered by the physician
