Genital Warts (Venereal Warts or condylomata acuminate) are warts that sometimes develop when a person is infected with certain strains of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). They may be small, flat bumps or tiny, cauliflower-like bumps or they may multiply into larger clusters. In many cases, Genital Warts are too tiny and flat to be seen with the naked eye, and they often cause no symptoms at all.

HPV Genital Warts infection is a one of the most common and widespread sexually transmitted diseases (STD). In women, the warts may appear on the vulva, in the cervix, on the walls of the vagina or on the skin between the genitals and the anus and around the anus itself. In men, they usually develop on the penis, the scrotum or around the anus.

Genital warts are highly infections and, like all STDs, they are spread primarily through vaginal, oral or anal sexual contact with an infected partner. In fact, about two-thirds of people who have sexual contact with someone who has genital warts develop the condition (usually within a few months, but in some cases years later).

Not everyone who has HPV viral infection develops genital warts, however. The virus can lie dormant in a person's body for anywhere from three months to two years, without developing any outward signs. In fact, an infected person may never develop Genital Warts - but still be highly contagious. This is one of the reasons why Genital Wart Infection is so widespread; partners are often not aware that they carry the virus.

Many HPV carriers experience occasional, recurring Genital Wart outbreaks that occur as a result of hormonal changes or if the person's immunity system is weak. Hormonal changes during pregnancy may cause Genital Warts to grow larger, sometimes making it difficult to urinate, and warts on the vaginal wall may complicate childbirth somewhat.

Since Genital Warts are also transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact, an infected mother could pass the infection to her baby during childbirth, although this is rare. It is quite possible to catch the HPV virus and develop genital warts by handling an object that an infected person has used or touched. The virus is most contagious while lesions exist, and it's important to understand that male condoms do not provide full protection against contracting HPV Genital Warts because they do not necessarily cover all infected parts.

Although there is no permanent cure for HPV viral infection, it is possible to treat Genital Warts. These may be removed by 'cryotherapy' (freezing), or they may be taken off with a laser. Loop Electro-surgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) is a procedure involving the removal of the warts using a sharp instrument shaped like a loop that is passed under the wart to cut it out of the skin. Special chemicals that dissolve warts in the genital area are also used. Note that these are NOT the same as Over-The-Counter chemicals intended for use on warts on hands and feet, which could be very painful if applied to the genital area.

A person with a healthy immune system can fight off HPV naturally, but this is not always the case and many people remain infected for life - whether or not they develop Genital Warts.

The most serious consequence of Genital Wart infection concerns the risk of developing cervical cancer. HPV Genital Wart infection has been associated with cervical cancer. Of the over 100 different types of HPV, only a few strains cause genital warts. A vaccine now exists, which is effective in preventing infection by the four HPV strains that cause most cervical cancers and genital warts.

Learn more about this author, Sawsan Elzayyat.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about What are genital warts??
We want to hear your view. Write now!