5 Things You Need to Know About Genital Warts Treatments
1. Call the Doc
Seek medical treatment for genital warts, also known as venereal warts. There is no cure for the virus, HPV, that causes genital warts. It is possible to remove the warts thus reducing the chance of the warts spreading, growing in size or infecting sexual partners. Removal also reduces genital discomfort, itching, bleeding and improves the appearance of your genital region. Visit a doctor for treatment since most over-the-counter medications are ineffective on HPV genital warts. Early treatment increases your treatment options for this sexually transmitted disease.
2. Topical Treatments are Available
The treatments for genital warts frighten some patients. Do not allow fear to dissuade you from having the warts removed. Podofilox solution or Imiquimod cream are two topical solutions your doctor may prescribe for home application. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant since the safety of these medications for pregnant women is uncertain.
3. You May Need Additional Treatments
Doctors often recommend cryotherapy in addition to topical creams. Cryotherapy involves freezing the infected skin with liquid nitrogen to kill the wart and facilitate its removal. Cryotherapy reduces bleeding and preserves the surrounding skin. Go to cryotherapy treatments as recommended by your doctor. Complete removal of genital warts, even using topical creams, often requires several office visits. Blistering is a side effect. Ask for anesthesia during this procedure and the following treatments since each causes pain in some patients. Doctors may recommend the use of chemicals to burn away genital warts. Podophyllin resin or Trichloracetic acid is applied to warts by a doctor on a weekly schedule if necessary. Choose this treatment only if you are comfortable with the skill of your doctor. These chemicals are caustic and can destroy surrounding skin if improperly applied. Prepare for some recovery time if you choose any of these treatments.
4. Cut Warts Off
Explore surgical options to remove warts in one visit if your doctor is skilled and experienced in genital surgical techniques. Ask your doctor about her training in electrocautery or surgical excision of genital warts. Prepare yourself for anesthesia and a significant recovery period if you choose surgical removal of genital warts. Laser surgery is also an option but explore your doctor's experience and training with this technique before agreeing to the procedure.
5. Consult a Specialists
The recommended treatment for vaginal, cervical, urethral meatus and anal warts is cryotherapy or chemical removal. Consult with a specialist if you have genital warts in these areas. Further examination and specialized care may be needed. Seek a second opinion if your doctor recommends the use of interferon injections into warts or into your body systems. The value of interferon in treating genital warts is debated within the medical community. It is often a last resort cure and may be appropriate in such circumstances.
Member Comments
by wellness1234 on February 21, 2009 at 10:10 AM
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by PGHJ on March 26, 2009 at 6:02 PM
In Section 5 you say the disputed interferon injection are a "last resort cure". Do you mean "cure"? Or just a method of removal?Is it possible my partner had hpv and showed no symptom, yet I do? Is there anyone trying to develop a cure? I would hope so, from what I have read its the most common STD in the world and I have only recently heard of it since I got warts last year.