Genital warts are caused by the human papilloma virus, or HPV, and they spread through sexual contact. Genital warts appear as soft, wart-like growths on the penis, vulva, urethra, vagina, cervix, larynx and around and in the anus. Genital warts do not need treatment, and they often go away on their own. However, genital warts require treatment if they become too large, cause pain, and involve itching and burning.
Doctor-Applied Medications
Some treatments for genital warts can only be applied by a doctor. Trichloroacetic acid, which destroys the genital warts on contact, is one such treatment, according to MayoClinic.com. The doctor applies this type of treatment to ensure appropriate coverage, because it can cause severe irritation and discomfort if its applied to other tissues surrounding the genital warts.
Another doctor-applied treatment for genital warts is podophyllin, which stops the growth of genital warts, reports Women's Healthcare Topics. Podophyllin consists of a plant-based resin solution and it generally needs to be washed off within 12 hours of the application because of its tendency to cause burns on the genital area.
Patient-Applied Medications
According to Women's Healthcare Topics, the doctor may prescribe topical, patient-applied medications as treatment for genital warts. The medications typically involve self-application at home several times per week before the warts clear up. The cream called Imiquimod helps the immune system suppress the human papilloma virus, notes MayoClinic.com. Suppression of HPV can stop the genital warts from growing.
Podofilox solution kills the warts by destroying its tissue. Podofilox contains a plant-based resin and is a derivative of podophyllin. Podofilox contains more of a diluted form of podophyllin, therefore allowing a safe, self-application at home. Both topical medications can irritate the skin surrounding the genital warts and MayoClinic.com advises against applying the medications on any area but the warts. Imiquimod and podofilox removes the visible warts but the human papilloma virus remains in the body and the warts can reappear after treatment.
Over-the-counter medications that treat warts appearing on the hands and feet do not treat warts that form in the genital area. Treating genital warts with over-the-counter medications can cause pain and irritation to the genital area, warns The New York Times Health Guide.
Cryotherapy
Cryotherapy, or treatment with liquid nitrogen to freeze off the warts, removes genital warts that don’t respond to medications. The liquid nitrogen causes a blister to form around the warts. The genital warts fall off as the skin heals, allowing new skin to appear, notes MayoClinic.com.
Surgery
Surgical methods treat larger genital warts, warts that don't respond to medications and warts that appear during pregnancy that can potentially expose a baby during delivery, states MayoClinic.com. Electrocautery uses an electrical current to burn off warts. Surgical excision uses special tools to cut off the genital warts. Laser treatment uses an intense beam of light to remove genital warts that haven’t responded to other surgical methods.
