Genital warts - restoring damaged parts of immunity

Genital warts - a small convex formation that appear in the genital or anal area. They are the result of infection by human papillomavirus (HPV). They usually painless and do not pose a serious threat to human health. Nevertheless, due to a very unsightly appearance they may cause significant psychological stress How to beat stress? Create an oasis .

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Human papillomavirus (HPV) - the virus is one, but a whole family consisting of more than 100 different strains of viruses. 40 of them cause genital warts.

Some other types of HPV can cause cervical cancer Cervical cancer: possible cure . The causative agents of genital warts are transmitted during vaginal or anal sex, as well as when using one with an infected person sex toys. Sometimes HPV transmitted and normal contact with the skin. Condoms do not provide complete protection against HPV, since genital warts can affect vast areas of the skin in the genital area.

The incubation period for genital warts (amount of time that passes between infection and the onset of symptoms) may last about a year.

Genital warts - the second most common STIs after chlamydia. Most often they meet in sexually active adolescents and young adults. The most common HPV-infected men aged 20 to 24 years and women aged 16 to 19 years.

Forecast

The prognosis of genital warts generally very favorable. There are several treatments for HPV - they are very effective, though long enough (therapy often takes up to three months).

Symptoms

In women, genital warts are usually small, rough to the touch, with time can become longer. In men, warts are similar to warts that sometimes appear on the hands.

Genital warts can appear on one or clusters.

They are usually painless, although some people they cause itching and irritation, especially if genital warts appear on the skin around the anus.

In some patients warts begin to bleed during sex. However, experts strongly recommend to avoid sex until the warts will not go completely.

Genital warts that occur near or within the urethra, can disrupt the normal output of urine from the body.

Genital warts in women

The most common genital warts in women Warts in women - a tendency to frequent recurrence   appear:

• Around the vulva;
• Inside the vagina;
• Between the vagina and anus;
• Around the anus;
• On the cervix;
• At the opening of the urethra.

Genital warts in men

In men, genital warts appear most often:

• On the skin of the penis foreskin slightly lower;
• Around the anus;
• At the head of the penis;
• Inside the urethra;
• Under the foreskin;
• Between the anus and scrotum;
• On the scrotum.

When symptoms of genital warts as soon as possible consult a physician. Although it is not a violation of the life-threatening, there are several reasons for seeking professional help:

A person without a medical education can be very difficult to distinguish genital warts from more serious violations. Therefore, a thorough diagnosis.

Effective remedies for genital warts are sold by prescription.

If left untreated, you most likely will experience a strong psychological discomfort, which may adversely affect the quality of your life.

Diagnostics

You need to be screened, if you have any obvious signs of genital warts, or if they have been diagnosed with your sexual partner. In addition, surveys are recommended in the following cases:

• Have you recently had sex without a condom with a new sexual partner;
• You or your partner had sex without a condom with third parties;
• Do you have other diseases, sexually transmitted diseases;
• You are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Usually, genital warts easily diagnosed by visual inspection doctor - sometimes it uses a magnifying glass, sometimes warts are clearly visible to the naked eye.

Additional investigations may be needed only when there is a high probability that the warts were formed in the anus or urethra. This probability is available in the following cases:

• The patient had anal sex (if it is a man - that as a passive partner);
• The patient has genital warts around the anus;
• The patient complains of bleeding from the anus or urethra;
• The patient has problems with urination.

The walls of the anus are examined using a special tool - proctoscope (thin metal tube, which is attached to a magnifying glass). A similar tool - an endoscope (a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end) is used to examine the urethra.

Treatment

• Targeted drugs

There are several point preparations which can be used to treat genital warts.

• Podophyllotoxin

This drug is usually recommended for the treatment of small clusters of warts. Podophyllotoxin produced in liquid form; it is toxic for the cells that make up the genital warts. The desired dose of podophyllotoxin with a special applicator is applied to the warts. During the procedure, the patient may experience mild irritation.

Podophyllotoxin first treatment cycle includes administration of the preparation twice a day for three days. Over the next three days of drug used. Most people need four to five such cycles.

• Imiquimod

Imiquimod - is a cream, which is usually recommended for the treatment of large genital warts. Imiquimod stimulates the immune system The immune system - how it works?   so that it is actively fought against the causative agent of genital warts. The ointment is applied on the skin and wash off after 6-10 hours. Imiquimod applied three times a week.

Genital warts and sex

It is strongly recommended to abstain from sexual contact, including anal and oral sex until the warts are completely cured. This is necessary to prevent infection of others. In addition, abstinence contributes to the recovery, as the skin friction during sex, causing irritation, inflammation and tissue repair brakes.

Even after the warts disappear completely in the cells of your skin may still be traces of human papillomavirus. Therefore, in the first three months after the end of treatment is recommended to have sex only with condom.

Smoking

For unclear reasons, many treatments, which will be discussed more effective in non-smokers than smokers. If you smoke, quitting smoking (at least temporarily) can help speed up the healing process.

There are two main types of treatment for genital warts:

• Local treatment using ointments, lotions and other agents that are applied directly to areas affected by the disease.
• Ablation - general name treatments using tissue warts which are destroyed by an external impact.

Different people react differently to certain methods of treatment. However, topical treatment is usually more effective at mild condylomata while ablation helps to cope better with hard, rough warts. Sometimes, a combination of different types of treatment. In any case, it may take a few months before the warts disappear completely, so it is important that the patient was patient and followed until the end of the treatment plan.

Safety measures

The use of condoms (male or female) for employment as vaginal and anal sex - the most effective way to prevent genital warts, not including abstinence and vaccination (which we will discuss below).

Keep in mind that none of the methods do not provide absolute protection. As the agent of the disease - human papillomavirus - is transmitted by skin contact with infected skin can get infected by simply touching the skin around the genital areas not covered by the condom. However, condom use at this time is the surest way to protect themselves not only from HPV, but from the more dangerous diseases.