Genital Warts Treatment: A Complete Guide

Genital warts, caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), can be a distressing and uncomfortable condition to experience. These small, fleshy growths on the genital areas are commonly caused by low-risk HPV types and and can be both physically and emotionally burdensome. Fortunately, there are several genital warts treatment options available that can help alleviate symptoms and even eliminate the warts altogether. In this blog, we will explore various treatment options for genital warts, including both medical and home remedies, and discuss the effectiveness of each. So if you're looking for relief from genital warts, keep reading to learn more about your options for genital warts treatment.

What are Genital Warts?

In simple words, it refers to sexually transmitted infections that are caused by Human Papillomavirus, especially by types 6 and 11. It has traits similar to other STIs; these infections transmit from one person to another through physical contact during oral, vaginal and anal sex. Moreover, they are non-cancerous small growths that occur in and around the genitals or anal areas. They are usually harmless and painless. 

What Are the Signs Of Genital Warts?

Now that you have a little understanding of the term, let us know more about its signs.

• Genital warts look like flesh-coloured or grey spots that can be flat/raised, depending upon the severity of the condition. Sometimes, their growth resembles a cauliflower. 
• Feeling discomfort and itching in the genital area
• In women, it can appear in and around the genitals, anus and cervix. And in men, it can be found around the penis, scrotum, groin area, thighs, and anus.

After intercourse, you may experience an increase in vaginal discharge and bleeding. Also, genital itching and increased dampness in the genital area are common. These are some rare symptoms which should not be overlooked as they indicate the presence of warts or any other underlying health issue. 

Please note, that all the bumps appearing on the genitals are genital warts. It’s easy to confuse them with minor moles, skin tags or normal bumps. So, if you have any such signs, please contact a specialist.

When Do Genital Warts Show Up After You’re Infected?

It can appear at varying times after infection. Some people can get HPV genital warts just weeks after having sexual contact with someone who has an infection. However, it can sometimes take months or even years for the warts to show up. This makes it hard to know exactly when you got them.

It's also possible to have the virus without showing any genital warts. You might have warts inside your anus or vagina and not be aware of them. If you don’t have symptoms, you could accidentally spread the virus to others. 

How Are Genital Warts Caused?

Despite being a common sexually transmitted infection, not all strains of HPV cause warts, with approximately 90% of infected individuals not developing genital warts. As a result, only about 10% of those infected with HPV can transmit the virus through sexual contact.

HPV infection is transmitted through direct contact with the genital area of an infected person during sexual activity. In females, transmission can occur through penetrative vaginal or anal intercourse, but it has also been reported in individuals who are self-reported 'virgins' or claim to have not  engaged in sexual activity.

Additionally, HPV infection can be transmitted non-sexually, either horizontally or vertically. Horizontal transmission can occur through contact with infectious objects (fomites), fingers, mouth, or skin contact. Vertical transmission can occur from a mother to her child during pregnancy.

Now that you are aware of the symptoms and their causes, the next best thing is to get tested if you see signs of a possible infection. You can consider getting tested for HPV using Lifecell's at-home self-collection kit for HPV detection. Remember, early screening is crucial for detecting and treating the infection at an early stage. So, if you are diagnosed with HPV and symptoms like genital warts, it is important to follow the doctor prescribed treatment to avoid further medical complications such as cancer. 

Let us now look at the possible methodologies of genital warts treatments.

7 Tips To Prevent The Spread Of HPV Genital Warts

Now that you have learnt the appearance and symptoms of HPV genital warts, let us have a look at how to prevent their spread. 

• AVOID DIRECT CONTACT - Since HPV infections are contagious, so are genital warts! If you have a cut/scratch, the virus can get inside your body and cause genital warts.
• HYGIENE IS THE KEY - It's advised to keep your towels, razors, nail clippers, socks and other personal items separate from others. It helps to prevent the spread of infections and genital warts. Maintaining hygiene is the first step in preventing the acquisition of this type of infection.
• WASH YOUR HANDS TIMELY - Regularly washing your hands is a primary step in practising good hand hygiene. HPV infection transmits through physical contact (hand to genital). Thus, washing hands can remove unwanted viruses from the skin while preventing its further spread.
• DON'T FORGET TO COVER YOUR WART - If you already have a wart on your skin, it’s better to cover it. It helps prevent the virus from spreading to other body parts and people who come in contact with it.
• DON’T LET YOUR SKIN GET DRY/CRACKED - When the skin is dry/dull or cracked, HPV infection can enter it easily, resulting in the development of warts. Therefore, moisturise your skin properly; this will help in preventing the onset of warts and related skin conditions.
• WEAR BREATHABLE FLIP-FLOPS - Soft and moist skin is more susceptible to HPV infections. So, wear comfortable, breathable flip-flops and other slippers in moist areas like poolside, locker rooms or public showers. It helps reduce the risk of warts developing on your feet.
• TREAT HYPERHIDROSIS - It’s a medical condition in which a person experiences excessive sweating, resulting in moist, soft skin. Such a condition can increase the risk of contracting HPV infection leading to the development of warts. 

Genital Warts Treatment

At present, the treatment of genital warts primarily involves removing the wart growth rather than eliminating the underlying HPV infection. The choice of therapy will be decided by your doctor & may vary depending on the patient's age, overall health, and the type of wart they have.

However, there are some home remedies for genital warts treatment that you may find helpful. They include the following.

1. Apple cider vinegar: Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and place it on the affected area, securing it with a bandage. Leave it on for a few hours or overnight, then remove and rinse with water. Repeat daily until the warts shrink and fall off.
2. Tea tree oil: Apply a few drops of tea tree oil directly to the warts using a cotton swab. Repeat this process two to three times a day until the warts disappear.
3. Aloe vera: Apply fresh aloe vera gel directly to the warts and cover with a bandage. Leave it on for a few hours or overnight, then remove and rinse with water. Repeat daily until the warts disappear.
4. Baking soda and castor oil: Mix a small amount of baking soda with castor oil to make a paste. Apply the paste to the warts and cover with a bandage. Leave it on for a few hours or overnight, then remove and rinse with water. Repeat daily until the warts disappear.

It is important to note that while home remedies may be effective for some people, they may not work for everyone. Additionally, it is always a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider before trying any new treatment, including home remedies.

Advanced Genital Warts Treatment: Procedures For Stubborn Warts

If your warts are more severe and do not respond to the medications, a dermatologist may advise the following procedures:

• Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy is an inexpensive and highly effective technique that involves freezing abnormal tissue with freezing agents such as liquid nitrogen or nitrous oxide. Freezing the infected skin area at a very low temperature can cause permanent damage to both genital warts and their blood vessels. This leads to an immune response that results in necrosis or cell death, ultimately clearing genital warts. The success rate of cryotherapy is typically between 79% and 88%. However, there are some common side effects associated with this treatment, such as the development of painful blisters, infection, permanent scarring, and loss of pigmentation.
• Electrosurgery: It involves the use of high-frequency electrical current to burn and destroy warts. This treatment is typically used to treat small warts located on the penis shaft, rectum, or vulva, and is not recommended for larger warts as it may cause permanent scarring. Electrosurgery is a highly effective treatment, with a clearance rate of 94%. However, patients may experience pain after the procedure as a side effect.
• Excision: It is one of the oldest procedures for genital warts treatment. It involves physically removing the infected tissue with scissors or a scalpel, followed by stitching the healthy skin. This procedure is recommended for larger warts that are unresponsive to other therapies or medications, with a clearance rate of up to 72%. However, it may cause pain, discomfort, bleeding, or infection. Nonetheless, surgical excision remains a preferred option for some cases of genital warts.
• Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser therapy:It uses a concentrated beam of infrared light energy which heats up the infected area. The intense light energy immediately burns any joint vessels to ensure a bloodless procedure and also helps in removing the tissue without any scars. This line of treatment is less effective than other surgical procedures with a clearance rate of 23-52 percent and a recurrence rate of 77%.

Can HPV Genital Warts Affect Pregnancy?

During pregnancy, an active genital wart outbreak may worsen due to hormonal changes, leading to bleeding, growth, or multiplication of warts. A large piece of wart can block the birth canal. In such a case, one may have to opt for a C-section. 

Please note, that HPV can transfer from mother to offspring, which can cause recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. It is a rare condition in which warts form inside the airway. 

Is There A Vaccine For HPV Genital Warts?

An HPV vaccine provides protection against certain types of HPV virus (including the ones that cause genital warts). People up to 45 years of age are advised to get vaccinated. It will protect them against HPV (the most common STI). 

Conclusion

In conclusion, genital warts can be managed with several effective treatment options available, from home remedies to medical procedures. It's essential to alleviate symptoms, reduce the spread of infection, and eliminate genital warts altogether. However, it's important to note that long-term untreated high-risk HPV infection can lead to cervical cancer, making regular screening a necessity. 

So, if you're uncertain about any unusual growths in your intimate areas, seeking advice from your healthcare provider and considering a pap smear or HPV DNA test is crucial. In addition, the advanced RT-PCR technique is used for conducting the test, which delivers precise and rapid reports within 48 hours of the sample's arrival at the laboratory. 

It's also important to note that our test cannot identify low-risk HPV strains that cause genital warts. Therefore, seeking medical attention from your doctor right away is crucial if you suspect that the skin spots are genital warts or you have been exposed to Human Papillomavirus.

FAQs

Q1 Are genital warts and herpes the same?

They both are types of sexually transmitted infections. Genital herpes is characterised by open sores and fluid-filled blisters that form on the genitals. However, in genital warts, you may experience small bumps that don’t have any fluid in them. 

Q2 Are HPV genital warts serious?

Since the HPV strains that cause genital warts are low-risk. Therefore, HPV genital warts don’t pose any serious complications or health risks. 

Q3 Does HPV genital warts go away forever?

This varies from person to person. For some, it may end within a few months and for others, it may take some more time. However, getting rid of warts doesn’t imply that HPV has gone too. It may be still active in your body and may reappear again.