What are genital warts?

Definition

Genital warts, which are can also be called venereal warts or condylomata acuminate, are growths in the genital area in men and woman caused by a sexually transmitted virus called the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

Description

Genital warts are the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in North America and Europe. Most patients with genital warts are between the ages of 17-33 years and is the most common reason for someone attending a sexual health clinic. Although they look similar, HPV is not the virus that causes warts on your fingers and hands. Genital warts are a lot more contagious and should be treated as soon as possible. In the USA, an estimated 2.3 million sexually active Americans have genital warts, which is increasing by 7% each year, but there are estimates that show there are as many as 5 million new cases actually transmitted each year!

Not everyone infected with HPV will develop genital warts. Some will be infected with a strain that does not produce warts, or they will remain asymptomatic (i.e. no warts will appear) even though the virus is present in their skin. If you have sexual intercourse with someone with the HPV there is a 2 in 3 chance you have contracted the virus. If you have unfortunately contracted the virus then there is a 50% change you will develop genital warts.

What do genital warts look like?

Genital warts have an irregular shape and can vary in shape and size from small red/white spots to large cauliflower-shaped lumps.
In men genital warts can appear anywhere on the penis, on the scrotum or in the groin. Homosexual men may also get infected in the anus and rectum. In women genital warts usually occur around the opening of the vagina (vulva), but can occur in the folds of skin alongside the vaginal opening, to the womb, or around the anus. Both men and women can get the warts in their mouth and down the throat after engaging in oral sex (see genital warts pictures) .

Causes and symptoms overview

Genital Warts (HPV) are usually contracted by having sex with an infected partner. Even just close genital contact is enough to spread the condition. Genital warts are normally painless but may be itchy, although they may become painful during sexual intercourse depending on the location of the warts. In rare cases adults and children can be infected indirectly, for instance through the use of an infected towel. Babies can also be infected during delivery (see genital warts during pregnancy).

There are about 80 types of human papilloma virus. Genital warts are caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 30, 42, 43, 44, 45, 51, 52 and 54. Types 6 and 11 are responsible for 90% of genital warts cases. HPV also causes many cases of cervical cancer and probably most of anal cancer cases; types 16 and 18 account for 70% of cases.

A sudden and strong eruption of genital warts could suggest a defect in their bodies immune system perhaps caused by another serious illness (see genital warts symptoms).

Diagnosis

A doctor or nurse can usually tell whether you have genital warts just by looking closely at the affected area. If warts are suspected but are not obvious, the doctor may apply a weak 5% vinegar-like solution to the effected area; this turns any warts white and therefore makes them more visible, your doctor may order a biopsy if the bump is unusual looking or discolored to rule out cancer.

Genital warts treatment

Sadly there is no cure for HPV, and once you are infected you will have it for the rest of your life. However your body can ‘fight it off’ and the virus itself can become dormant for decades and then reappear, but once the warts have formed they don't typically regress and require treatment. Although some genital warts can disappear after 2-3 years.

There are home prescription treatments available that require a prescription by a doctor, these treatments are extremley expensive so be prepared to pay at least $200 for one course of treatment. This is why people are turning to 'The Genital Wart Clinic' as an alternative for cheaper treatments.

Other treatments can be carried out by a doctor including; Cryotherapy works by freezing off the wart and kills the warts 70% of the time, but recurrence is 40% to 73% 6 months after treatment. And laser therapy can be used also, which is often used as a last resort and is extremely expensive (see genital warts symptoms).

How often can episodes occur?

If you have contracted HPV virus there is a strong possibility you many not ever get any genital warts. If you are unfortunate to get an outbreak of genital warts some people only have one episode, while others have many recurrences throughout their lifetime.

Can i still have sex with genital warts?

If someone has visible symptoms of genital warts, they should not have sexual activity until the warts have been treated and removed.

Condoms don't cover all genital skin, so they don't protect 100%. But may help provide protection to stop the virus been spread to partners. If you have a partner you are sexually active with, there is a strong possibility they have already contracted the HPV virus from you. However only 50% of people who have HPV develop genital warts.