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Most commonly asked Questions and Answers you might want to know about Genital Warts:
- What Are Genital Warts?
- What Are the Symptoms?
- Why Should Genital Warts be Treated?
- What Treatments Are Available?
- What After-Care is Recommended?
At the Joyce Lim Clinic, we offer different types of treatment for our patients.
Genital warts are viral lesions that affect approximately eight million Americans per year. Lesser known but more common than herpes, genital warts are transmitted by sexual contact. The small growths, technically known as condylomata, are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV).
Genital warts have an average incubation period of three months, although they can develop anywhere within three weeks to eight months of exposure. The warts typically occur around the genital areas, the anus and the urinary passageways, appearing as single or multiple cauliflower-like pink or red swellings. They can be large and protruding, or flat. Other possible symptoms include itching, burning and tenderness around the affected area. Often, however, the warts may initially be painless and not cause any symptoms so patients may not be aware that they are infected.
Genital warts are most common among individuals aged 15 to 29. People who engage in frequent sexual activity with multiple partners have a higher risk of contracting the virus.
Not only are genital warts highly contagious, but there is strong evidence that the HPV virus causes cervical cancer in women, cancer of the penis in men, and anal cancer in both sexes. The HPV virus can also be transmitted from a pregnant woman to her child through the birth canal as she gives birth.
It is important that all sexual partners be treated for genital warts. If only one partner is treated, it is likely that he or she will easily be reinfected by the untreated partner. In addition, the presence of other concommitant sexually transmitted diseases is much more likely in patients with existing genital warts. Early recognition and prompt treatment can help prevent later complications.
Liquid nitrogen is applied directly to the wart in order to freeze the growth and destroy the infected tissue.
A heated electric wire is applied to the growth and destroys the wart.
A stream of laser light is directed at the infected site to destroy the wart. View the Laser Applications fact sheet for more information.
The skin is cut, and the wart is removed.
Genital warts can be very resistant. Many require more than one treatment. Close follow-up for a few months after complete clearing is necessary to ensure the absence of recurrences and new smaller warts within or near the treated area. |
