Genital Wart Removal

Archive for November, 2009

Genital warts is one of the two most commonly spread sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) caused by a virus. The other is genital herpes. The disease is caused by the human papilloma virus often abbreviated as hpv.The wart like lesions that appear with this STD are called condyloma acuminate.  They look like small, flesh colored growths in the genital and anal region.  Research indicates that 10-40% of women who are sexually active are infected with hpv.  Both men and women can transmit and receive the virus and the presence of the hpv is not always accompanied by the appearance of genital warts.  Routes of TransmissionGenital warts are spread through direct contact with an infected person during vaginal, anal, or oral sexual contact. Approximately sixty percent of people who have sexual contact with someone who has genital warts will develop symptoms themselves, usually within three months of the encounter.The human papilloma virus penetrates through tiny abrasions in the genital area that occur during sexual activity. Once the virus is in the body it become latent or inactive for several weeks, months, or sometimes even years. Typically it takes about three months for the first symptoms to appear, but it could take much longer or much less time.Penetrating sex is not necessary for the spread of hpv. Studies have proven that sexual contact of any kind with an infected person can spread the virus. An infected person is able to spread the virus to a non-infected partner even when there is no outward or visible signs of genital warts.In rare cases, adults or children may be infected indirectly. For example, using an infected person’s towel can cause an infection if rubbed against the genitals. Also, babies may be infected through a vaginal delivery of a mother with genital warts.HPV, the cause of Genital WartsThere are more than 100 different types of the human papilloma  virus, and over 40 of these can infect the genitals through sexual contact. These specific strains of HPV are highly contagious. Because of the long incubation period, many people may be unaware that they are infected and continue to spread the virus through sexual contact.Genital Warts SymptomsThe most common genital warts symptoms are the appearance of the warts themselves. Generally they are painless but might cause irritation and itching depending on their size and location. It is not uncommon to develop the warts in more than one area.In men specifically, genital warts can infect the urethra, scrotum, penis, and rectal areas. The warts will appear as soft, smooth, raised masses when on the penile shaft. Or, they can appear as anal warts, in which the growth is rough and protruding. The lesions will be raised, and only rarely will they appear flat with just a slight elevation above the skin.In women, genital warts symptoms may not be noticeable if the warts are located inside the vagina where they are undetectable. However, the lesions most commonly occur in the labia minora and around the vaginal opening. Many times no symptoms at all are experienced aside from the appearance of growths (warts). In rare cases, women may experience bleeding following sexual intercourse when infected with HPV.Genital Warts TreatmentAs is the case with most viruses, there is no genital warts treatment that will completely get rid of the lesions or the hpv. The warts can be controlled, but the viral infection cannot be not cured. Prescription medications and topical creams are the most frequently used methods of treatment.Small warts can be removed by means of laser surgery, cryosurgery (freezing), or electrocautery (burning). Application of various acids and resins may also be used. These genital wart treatments require several sessions and removal is not a permanent solution since it cannot prevent spreading of the human papilloma virus.  It genital warts are removed by any of these methods more lesions can still occur in the future. ComplicationsThe main complications of HPV infection are the development of cancerous lesions. Some forms of HPV can cause anal and/or penis cancer in men, and cervical cancer in women. PreventionResearch is currently being conducted on vaccines that may protect against infection of HPV infection and one vaccine  (Gardisil) is now available for women. This vaccine protects against some of the strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer but cannot treat genital warts or cervical cancer once they have developed.The only sure way to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, genital warts included, is to avoid direct contact with the causative organism, in this case the human papilloma virus. For most STDs the use of a condom creates the barrier necessary to prevent the transmission of the pathogen.  However, this appears not to be the case for genital warts as the virus can infect areas not covered by the condom. The Center for Disease Control advises that the only sure way to prevent HPV is to avoid all sexual activity.  Restricting sexual activity to a monogamous relationship with a person confirmed to be “HPV free” would be advisable.

Alternative Names: Condyloma Acuminatum, Fig Wart, Moist Wart, Pointed Wart, Venereal Wart, Verruca Acuminata Definition:
Genital warts are small, benign (harmless) growths caused by a viral infection i.e. Human papillomavirus, typically HPV 6 and HPV 11. A female with genital warts is at an increased risk for developing cervical cancer. Genital warts often occur in clusters and can be very tiny or can spread into large masses on genital tissues. If left untreated, genital warts often disappear.
Genital Warts are highly contagious sexually transmitted disease. Genital warts can be transmitted from one person to another and they can travel from one part of the body to another. They occur on the skin or the mucous membrane. The mucous membrane is tissue that lines the nose, throat, digestive tract, and other body openings. Causes of Genital Wart:
Some important causes of genital wart are as:-

Genital warts may be small, flat, flesh-colored bumps or tiny, cauliflower-like bumps. In men, genital warts can grow on the penis, near the anus, or between the penis and the scrotum. In women, genital warts may grow on the vulva and perinea area, in the vagina and on the cervix. Genital warts vary in size and may even be so small that you can’t see them. They can lead to cancer of the cervix in women or cancer of the penis in men.

Most patients with genital warts are seen between the ages of 17-33 years. Genital warts are highly contagious. You have a 60% risk of getting the infection in a single sexual contact with someone who has genital warts.

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.

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And although it might not be entirely possible to avoid or prevent getting genital warts, if you don’t try and exercise the necessary caution you will be leaving yourself open to it more. On the other hand, no matter what you try you might still get genital warts. That doesn’t mean that your preventative measures failed. It could just mean that either you or partner had genital warts beforehand and that you were unaware of it. Or it could just be that you were more susceptible to it.

It could also be that your immune system is weakened due to any number of reasons which can make you more liable to contract genital warts. Also, if you have another sexually transmitted disease or HIV-AIDS or even cancer, genital warts could just be another symptom of this larger underlying cause.

Here though, I’ve listed a few of the methods of prevention that you might want to look into in order to prevent genital warts from occurring. Some of them might not be conducive to your lifestyle, but at least trying some of them can’t hurt.

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We all have different valid reasons why we visit the internet. But don’t you think its all for the sake of quenching the thirst for more information? For you who are interested in genital warts pictures, articles or just texts to read on, the internet is just a click away. With the world basically at your fingertips it’s hard to resist the urge to explore it and find what you are looking for.

Genital warts articles, information and pictures are part and parcel of what the internet can offer and are easy to find. Having said that, you will find some warning though telling you that you are about to open on some graphic pictures that could be disturbing. Your interest could only be to read the written materials about genital warts. Beware because some of these sites don’t warn you before hand and you might find yourself in a very awkward situation.

The internet is one of the best placed source of genital warts articles, pictures and information because its fast, precise and you can peruse as many programs as possible at the same time as opposed to opening page after page of books and medical journals.

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Genital warts are a sexually transmitted disease and therefore people of either sex are liable to get it if they come into contact with an infected person. That said, there are a few target groups of people who are more likely to get genital warts than others.

But just because you might fall into any of these categories, it does not mean that you will get genital warts, it just means that the risk factor for you is higher than if you.

So, who is most likely get genital warts? To begin with it should be noted that the incidence of developing genital warts for either sex is about the same, People in their 20’s, People who have multiple sexual partners, If you begin sexual intercourse at a very young age, Pregnant women, People who have immune suppression medical conditions, People who have contracted other sexually transmitted diseases, like herpes for instance Cigarette smokers, and people who consume alcohol (about 2-5 glasses per week)

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