Genital warts

What is genital warts?

Genital warts looks like cauliflower in the genital area of men and women. They are caused by skin infection of a virus named human papilloma virus (HPV). Genital warts usually grow in the genital and anal areas of men and women, e.g. vulva, cervix, anus, penis, scrotum. Some warts can grow in the mouth and throat.

Cause

Genital warts is transmitted during sexual contact.

Symptoms

Patients noticed abnormal gray, brown, white or flesh-colored skin growths in the pubis, vulva,  anus, thighs, penis, scrotum or mouth.  Patients usually feel a minimal discomfort.  The warts are usually pain free.  If patients infected with human papilloma virus, they will have symptoms in about 1-3 months.  Some patients will not have symptoms after infection.

Patients developed genital warts or had a sexual partner having genital warts, they should see a doctor for assessment.  To confirm the diagnosis, doctors usually perform:

• Inspection
• Detail examination of the genital area, anus, and mouth
• Biopsy for histology examination

Treatment

Consider the following treatments:

• Chemical Therapy
  Applying caustic chemicals over the skin lesion causes superficial tissue necrosis. The depth and width of the chemical induced tissue necrosis need careful control.  Please consult your doctor for advice.
• Cryotherapy
  Using liquid nitrogen spray over the skin lesion induces frostbite and subsequent superficial tissue necrosis.  The depth and width of the cryotherapy induced tissue necrosis need careful control.  It usually takes several treatment sessions to cure.  Please consult your doctor for advice.
• Laser surgical therapy
  Using carbon dioxide laser to vaporize and destroys the warts. The depth of tissue destruction needs careful control.  Please consult your doctor for advice.
• Surgical excision
  Surgeons use scalpel or electric knife to remove the wart in one piece and close the wound with sutures.  Please consult your doctor for advice.

Patients with poor immunity may have recurrence after curative treatment.  Studies had showed that injections of human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine could prevent genital warts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: If I suffer from genital warts, what should I do?
A: You should keep the affected area dry and wear cotton underwear.  Please seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Q: How to prevent genital warts?
A: Injecting human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine can prevent genital warts. Avoid promiscuity.  Use condoms during sexual activity.  As condoms do not cover the entire penis or around the pubis, it is not 100% effective.  Patients have treated their genital warts should consider human papilloma virus infection (HPV) vaccination to prevent the recurrence of the disease.

Q: My sexual partner was diagnosed to have genital warts but I do not have any genital warts.  Do I need to see a doctor?
A: Your sexual partner being diagnosed to have genital warts should received treatment as soon as possible. You may have been infected with the virus or suffering from genital warts.  Please find a doctor for assessment and consider the injection of human papilloma virus infection (HPV) vaccine.