Genital Warts

General Information

Genital Warts are a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the Human Papilloma

Virus (HPV)

Symptoms

• In some people, the warts are so small they can go unnoticed so a person can "carry"

           the virus for many years without knowing they are infected, and can unknowingly

           infect others over time.

• Genital warts are usually soft, pink, gray, or red swellings, and are usually painless but

           may itch.  They can be single or multiple growths or bumps, raised or flat, small or

           large, and they sometimes form a cauliflower-like shape.

• The warts can develop inside the vagina, on the lips of the vagina, on the cervix,

           around the anus, penis, scrotum, or in the mouth or throat.

Possible Complications

Undetected or untreated high-risk types of HPV can lead to cancer.

Who is at risk?

• Since genital warts are not always easily visible, a person can have them for many

           years without knowing they are infected, and can unknowingly infect others over                 time, thus anyone who is sexually active may be at risk.

• Young, sexually active women and men have the highest rates of infection. 

• The more sexual partners a person has had, the greater the chance of infection
• Having a partner who has genital HPV or other sexually transmitted infections.
• Not consistently practicing safe sex increases the risk of infection.

Prevention

• Use condoms to minimize the risk of any sexually transmitted infection.
• Avoid sexual activity when genital warts are visible on sex partner(s).
• Consider the new vaccine, Gardasil, which vaccinates against 4 types of HPV. It is

           available for females between the ages of 9 and 26. For more information on this

           please visit http://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/default.htm.

 Testing

• Receive annual exams including a pap smear which can screen for HPV. Since some

          women won’t identify or see the presence of genital warts, this is often the way your

          medical provider may become suspicious that you have HPV.

• If you have an abnormal Pap smear, your provider may perform a Colposcopy to

          analyze your cervix more closely and obtain a biopsy of the cervix if needed.  This

          helps your medical provider determine the degree of cervical cell change.  Depending

          on the level of cell change, your provider will discuss with you appropriate

          management and treatment options.

 
Treatment

• Genital warts have no "cure" but your body's immune system is usually able to protect you from having symptoms, up to 60-80% of warts resolve on their own.
• Several methods are used to treat warts on the OUTSIDE of the vulva, anus, or penis:

• Trichloracetic acid (TCAA) or Bichloracetic acid (BCA) are often used and can require several weekly visits to complete.
• In some cases, Aldara cream may be prescribed by a clinician for self application. This treatment can also take several weeks to complete.
• Surgical electrodesiccation, destroying warts with electric current, is done under anesthesia by a clinician for warts that are either too extensive or have not responded to chemical treatment.
• Some clinitians use cryotherapy (freezing) to treat warts.

• No therapy will eliminate the genital wart virus (HPV) from the body. For that reason, it is important to continue with routine Pap smears as recommended by your practitioner and to regularly check your own external genitalia for recurring warts. 

Living with Genital Warts

It's completely normal to feel frustrated, depressed, or angry about having any sexually transmitted infection, including genital warts.  As with other viral infections, you're less likely to experience recurrences if you take care of your health:

• Maintain a strong immune system by eating right and taking a folic acid supplement
• Get exercise, get enough sleep, manage your stress.
• Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs. 

Being diagnosed with genital warts does not mean that you can't have sex again. 

• Talk with your sex partner(s):
• Give them information about genital warts and allow them to make informed decisions about sexual activity. 
• Some partners may need time to think about how this affects your relationship and may decide to get tested. 
• You can reduce your risk of transmitting genital warts to a sexual partner:
• Abstain from sex and find other ways to express intimacy.
• Avoid contact with any wart.
• Use condoms and dental dams every time you have sex.  Condoms and dental dams do not give you 100% protection, but minimize risk of transmission of any sexually transmitted infection.

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