Genital warts, which can be seen in both women and men, are among the causes of sexually transmitted diseases. The most important preventive measures against genital warts caused by HPV are HPV vaccines. 'What is a genital wart? Why do genital warts occur? What are the symptoms of genital warts? The most curious questions such as Yeni Yüzyıl University Gaziosmanpaşa Hospital Gynecology and Obstetrics Department Prof. Dr. Behiye Pınar Göksedef answered for you. What is a wart? Why do warts occur? How is HPV transmitted? What are the symptoms of warts? How to diagnose warts? How are warts treated? Can we avoid warts?
What is a wart?
Genital warts are small, skin-colored, red or brown lesions that occur in the external genitalia, vagina, penis and around the anus.
Why do warts occur?
Warts are infections caused by Human papilloma virus (HPV). There are more than 100 types of HPV and types 6 and 11 are associated with genital warts. Types 6 and 11 of HPV are low-risk types for cervical cancer. These types are not associated with cervical cancer.
How is HPV transmitted?
HPV infection is usually transmitted through sexual intercourse. HPV, which is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, can rarely be transmitted by wet towels, hand contact, underwear, epilation tools.
What are the symptoms of warts?
Warts appear on the genital area or around the anus, with a smooth skin-colored surface, flat or raised from the skin in a cauliflower-like appearance. They usually do not cause complaints. Sometimes they cause itching, burning, and tenderness.
How to diagnose warts?
The diagnosis of warts is made by seeing typical lesions on examination. In uncertain cases, biopsy and pathological examination may be required.
How are warts treated?
Various methods are used in the treatment of warts. Since treating warts does not mean curing the HPV infection, warts may recur within a few weeks or months of treatment. Clearing the HPV from the body is usually done within 2 years by our own immune system.
The most ideal treatment method for warts depends on the amount and location of the warts, whether they are pregnant or not, and the preferences of the treating physician.
Medication methods are available. Creams or liquids applied on the wart once or several times a week are continued until the warts disappear.
Surgically, operations such as removing the wart and suturing, burning, freezing can be performed.
Can we avoid warts?
Since HPV infection is a common and usually asymptomatic condition, prevention is important. The use of condoms is not fully protective as it cannot cover the entire virus-infected areas. Some of the vaccines developed against the HPV virus also include HPV types 6 and 11, which cause warts. According to the long-term results of these vaccines, their protection against genital warts is quite high.
Be the first to comment