What is Genital Wart (HPV Virus)?
Genital wart is the most common and important symptom of the HPV virus, which can be transmitted by sexual intercourse in both men and women, seen in the genital area. Genital warts, also called condyloma acuminata, can occur in many people without showing any symptoms. There are approximately 200 different types of HPV virus and 40 of them manifest themselves as genital warts. Genital warts, which are recommended to be treated, are likely to recur even after treatment.
There is a lot of misinformation about the HPV virus known among the public. The type of HPV virus that causes genital warts is usually a sexually transmitted disease. If there is no direct contact with the area where the genital wart is located, the possibility of transmission is extremely low. Genital warts cannot be transmitted by kissing, hugging, using someone else's fork or knife, using a common towel, sea or pool. Avoiding all these situations is necessary to protect against different viruses or infections other than the HPV virus.
What are the Symptoms of Genital Warts?
Genital warts caused by the HPV virus can be seen in both women and men. This disease, which manifests itself with different symptoms in women and men, should definitely be examined by a doctor, although it sometimes passes spontaneously. The most common symptoms of genital warts are as follows;
- During urination, bifurcation of urine is among the male symptoms of HPV.
- Symptoms of HPV virus in the vagina can be understood by lesions similar to the skin colour in this area. These lesions can sometimes be painful.
- Puffy appearances reminiscent of cauliflower in the genital area, itching and an uncomfortable feeling are also among the symptoms of HPV in women.
- Bleeding that can be seen during sexual intercourse (except for rupture of the hymen) can be a harbinger of genital warts.
Causes of Genital Warts
Genital warts are caused by the HPV virus, also known as Human Papilloma in medical language. It is known that there are 200 different types of HPV and 40 of these types can cause warts in the genital area. The most common warts in the genital area are known to be caused by HPV 6 and HPV 11 viruses. The causes that cause genital warts can be listed as follows:
- Unprotected sexual intercourse with many partners,
- The presence of a different sexually transmitted infection,
- Don't start your sexual life at a very young age,
- Use of drugs that suppress the immune system
It is also possible to see genital warts in pregnant women. Genital warts can occur before pregnancy as well as during pregnancy. The possibility of transmission of the HPV virus to the baby is extremely low. However, the HPV virus transmitted to the baby disappears from the baby's body spontaneously over time. For this reason, it can be said that genital warts are not a genetic transmission.
How is Genital Wart Diagnosed?
Since genital warts can appear in places invisible to the eye, a comprehensive examination must be performed. In line with the pelvic examinations performed by the doctor, a mild acidic solution can be used if necessary. Genital warts can be seen in different areas in men and women.
Women genital warts;
- Anal canal
- Between the external genitalia and the anus,
- It can be seen on the outer part of the vagina and vaginal walls.
Genital warts in men;
- In the groin
- The body or tip of the penis,
- In the anus area,
- It can be seen in the scrotum.
If HPV virus is suspected, additional examinations may be required. Samples can be taken from the suspected area with the help of a cotton swab. HPV test and Smear test are performed to determine the type of HPV virus in women. For closer examination of existing warts, the cervix and vagina can be visualised in detail with a tool called colposcope. As a result of all these examinations, detailed information about the structure of genital warts can be obtained.
How to Treat Genital Warts?
Genital wart treatment is a matter of great curiosity by people who have this virus. Although it is a disease that can recur after treatment, specialist doctors state that this disease must be treated. The most common methods within the scope of genital wart treatment are as follows:
- Removal of the existing genital wart with a surgical intervention,
- Freezing the wart with a method called cryotherapy,
- Burning of lesions with laser or cautery
Genital wart medication is used to relieve symptoms for male and female patients. The creams used for this area have a different content than the creams used in the treatment of warts in the mouth and various parts of the body. For this reason, it is recommended to be extremely careful in the use of these creams. Within the scope of wart treatment in the vagina, surgical intervention may be required if deemed necessary as a result of the examinations performed by the doctor. However, with the approval of a specialist doctor, laser method has been used in recent years for the treatment of both female and male genital warts.
HPV Laser Treatment
Laser treatment has attracted great interest in recent years in the treatment of warts in the genital area caused by the HPV virus. In this procedure performed by a specialist doctor, the existing warts are burned with special laser technology. During HPV laser treatment, which takes place in an extremely short time, pain and pain are minimised in patients. The healing time of genital wart treatment with laser may vary depending on the patient's constitution, the area where the wart is located, its size and the care of the patient. After laser treatment, which does not leave any scars afterwards, recovery can usually be seen within a few days.
What Should Be Considered After Genital Wart Treatment?
HPV virus, which causes genital warts, is a sexually transmitted disease. People should pay much more attention to both their personal hygiene and sexual life after the treatment of this disease. Condom use is not a 100% guaranteed method of protection against HPV virus. For this reason, it is recommended that people stay away from polygamy. In addition, HPV vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect against such diseases. Especially for people who have had this disease, it is extremely important to get HPV vaccine without interruption. Female patients who have been treated for genital warts and have recovered are recommended to have cervical cervix control at regular intervals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genital Warts
What are HPV Laser Treatment Prices?
HPV is a disease that can be treated with laser method. Prices may vary according to the experience of the doctor who will perform the application, the degree of the disease and such factors. It is much more accurate to learn the prices of wart treatment in the genital area with the examination performed by the doctor.
Does Genital Wart Spontaneously Pass?
Most HPV infections that cause genital warts can be eliminated from the body spontaneously within a few months to 2 years. Although this infection is eliminated from the body, the HPV virus maintains its presence in the body. It can recur frequently and thus reduce the quality of life of the person. For this reason, it is strongly recommended to be treated.
Does Genital Wart Cause Cancer?
HPV 6 and HPV 11 viruses that cause genital warts do not cause cancer. However, if people have these viruses, it is recommended that they be treated with a specialist doctor.
Is Genital Wart Also Seen in Men?
Genital wart is a disease that can be sexually transmitted and can be seen in both men and women. It is seen in the penis tip, penis body, scrotum, anus and groin area in men. Although it does not pose a life threat, it must be treated.
