What is Genital Wart?
Genital warts are the most common sexually transmitted viruses. It occurs when the virus known as HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) infects the body. Generally, the mode of transmission is sexual intercourse. It can be seen in every woman and man who is active in their sexual life. The symptoms of patients infected with the virus vary from person to person.
Genital warts are found in women on the vulva (external female genital area), in or around the vagina and anus, in the groin, and on the cervix; In men, it occurs in the penis, testicles, groin, between the legs or anus. Although the disease may be very small in a certain area, it may sometimes be so advanced that it covers the entire genital area. In women, it can cause lesions that can extend from the entrance of the vagina to the cervix. It can also spread to the perianal skin and anal area mucosa.
What is HPV?
Sexually transmitted HPV (Human Papillornavirus) causes infection in the tissues of the genital area and is a wart called "Condyloma acuminata" in medical language. It is a DNA virus that causes the formation of masses in the form of.
There are more than 200 types of HPV and 40 of them cause genital warts. The most common types of warts are HPV 6 and HPV 11. Types of HPV that cause cervical cancer, such as 16, 18, 31, 33, etc., are among the most risky groups. When genital warts are detected on the body, it is necessary to start treatment as soon as possible.
How is HPV Transmitted?
HPV is transmitted through sexual contact, by contact of infected skin with the genital area. In addition to vaginal and anal intercourse, it can also be transmitted through skin contact in the genital area not covered by a condom.
The virus may not always cause warts in the genital area. HPV types that cause warts may also appear several months after infection. Therefore, it is not possible to determine from which partner the person passed it on and how long the virus has been in the body.
What are the Symptoms of Genital Warts?
Genital warts can be small, flat and raised above the skin. When there are more than one, they can combine to form a cauliflower shape. Many patients may confuse genital warts with moles. sometimes scratch It may cause itching and bleed during sexual intercourse.
Diagnosis Methods of Genital Warts
Individuals with genital warts are recommended not to have sexual intercourse until their treatment is completed. In women, HPV poses a significant risk for cervical cancer. For this reason, the following tests are performed to detect the HPV types that cause genital warts:
Pap Smear Test
A swab is taken from the entrance of the vagina with a special brush or spatula. It is a painless procedure. It is determined whether there are cellular changes in the cervix.
HPV DNA test
If the Pap smear is positive, the possibility of HPV causing cancer is investigated.
Colposcopy
Vulva is the examination of the vagina and cervix with a lighted magnifying glass.
Cervical Biopsy
Tissue is taken from the cervix and a biopsy is performed. Cell changes that may cause cancer are investigated.
Treatment Methods of Genital Warts
There is no treatment that will completely eliminate HPV infection from your body. However, genital warts can be eliminated with many treatment methods.
Creams
These are drugs that patients can apply to themselves and provide supportive treatment by chemically burning the wart. It should only be applied to the tissue of the wart.
Cryotherapy
In cryotherapy, treatment is provided by freezing the wart area. It does not require anesthesia.
Electrocauterization
It is the burning of warts with electric current, the procedure is performed by numbing the area with local anesthesia.
Laser Treatment
This The treatment is performed by burning each wart one by one with a laser. It is performed in a short time without damaging the tissue around the wart.
Surgical Treatment
It is usually performed under anesthesia and the warts are surgically removed one by one by the doctor. This treatment aims to completely destroy wart tissues.
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