Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV. There are over 100 strains of this virus, according to the Mayo Clinic, and it's extremely common among sexually active persons. In fact, most people will contract at least one strain of HPV at some time. For healthy people with a strong immune system, most types of HPV are cleared up by the body and never detected or known, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Some strains, however, are not easily cleared by the immune system and can cause complications like cervical cancer and genital warts.
Detection and Treatment
Genital warts are usually diagnosed with a visual screening. Pap tests for women also reveal the presence of HPV. The warts look like small, gray bumps, similar to skin tags or cauliflower-like collections of warts. In some instances warts don't surface, and itching or swelling occurs in its place. One of the most important tips for a healthy lifestyle is to get an accurate diagnosis and establish a relationship with a health care provider who can treat your outbreaks. In some cases, warts need to be removed through medical procedures or surgery. Neglecting to do so can restrict the openings of the anus and vagina and lead to anal and cervical cancers as the warts continue to grow and multiply. For small outbreaks, topical creams and treatments can dissolve the warts.
Lowering Risk Factors
If you do not have genital warts, or if you do have them and wish to avoid spreading the virus to your partners, you'll need to mitigate the risk factors for transmission. According to the Mayo Clinic, one of the largest risk factors for contracting and spreading the virus is unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected partner. If you know you have HPV, it's important to use protection, such as condoms and dental dams, every time. Another tip is to make careful note of where your genital warts occur. For example, a condom might not cover the entire infected area, leaving exposed warts that can come in contact with the genitals of an uninfected partner. The Mayo clinic advises avoiding sexual contact in this case until the warts are treated.
Talking to Your Partner
Part of any healthy relationship is trust and honesty. If you have genital warts, even if you haven't had an outbreak in some time, your partner runs the risk of getting the virus from you. This doesn't mean you cannot have a fulfilling sex life, but it does mean that you need to honestly communicate your status with your partner and take all the necessary precautions. It is possible for you and your partner to have a happy, healthy lifestyle even if one of you is infected. Communication and honesty are key.
Lifestyle Habits
According to the Mayo Clinic, a healthy immune system helps prevent or lessen the severity of outbreaks. In fact, many of the medications prescribed for genital wart outbreaks enhance immune function in some way. You can also increase immune function by not smoking, exercising regularly, eating a well-balanced diet and getting regular health screenings. The better your health, the less likely you are to have a severe outbreak and the stronger your body's protections are against the virus. It's important to remember that even if you are healthy and haven't had an outbreak in some time, it doesn't mean you're cured of genital warts. The virus can remain dormant for years.
Vaccination
One strategy for healthier living with genital warts is for your partner to get vaccinated. Currently there are two HPV vaccines on the market: Gardasil and Cervarix. According to the Mayo Clinic, Gardasil also helps prevent genital warts. The shot is given in three doses over a period of six months, and is especially recommended for women. Men can get Gardasil vaccines between the ages of 9 and 18. Cervarix is used only in females ages 10 to 25, according to Drugs.com
