Genital Wart
What a Genital Wart Can Mean for You
Among the many types of warts, a genital wart is one of the most dreaded. This is especially true for women. What happens when you have genital warts and what can it mean for your health in general?
Overview of the Genital Wart
Both men and women are at equal risk of contracting a genital wart condition. Teens and young adults up to a little over thirty however are often more at risk than older individuals. This is simply because sexual contact, especially with more than one partner across a period of time is the major risk factor for this condition. Teens and young adults are therefore commonly at risk because they are the ones who are just beginning to enter sexual activity.
Causes of the Genital Wart
A genital wart condition is a sexually transmitted disease. Naturally, this would mean that sexual contact is the primary mode of transmission of the disease. The disease itself is caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV).
There are many HPV types. The few that cause genital warts may or may not lead to more serious conditions for women. HPV types 16 and 18 in particular have been linked to majority of cervical cancer cases. Every female should therefore pay attention to a genital wart outbreak. A doctor’s diagnosis can help confirm if an infected female is particularly at risk for cervical cancer.
Signs and Symptoms of a Genital Wart
The trouble with genital warts is that they do not always have obvious signs. Some warts also do not cause any pain and may only be minimally uncomfortable or itchy. A single genital wart may only be a few millimeters across and may closely resemble the color of the skin. They may be flat or raised. In some cases, the warts may be more obvious when they cluster together. In men, the warts may be found on the penis, scrotum or anus. In women, the warts may be on the vagina, cervix, urethra or labia.
Treatment for a Genital Wart
Self-treatment of a genital wart is often not recommended especially for women. If you do discover that you have warts, you and your partner should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Women may have to undergo a pap smear to determine the risk of developing cancer. Treatment for the cancer itself may simply consist of the application of medical ointments and creams. In some cases though, the warts may have to be removed through the use of lasers, electric cauterization or cryosurgery.
Prevention
The only way one can completely avoid genital warts is by not having sex at all. Since this may not be possible for many individuals, other methods may have to be resorted to for prevention. You may lower your risk of contracting genital warts by maintaining a monogamous relationship and by using a condom. These methods however are not full proof prevention methods.
Teens and young women may also take advantage of a new vaccine that offers some protection against some strains of HPV. If a female is already sexually active though, the best course of action would be to go for regular check-ups and to consult a doctor for options on genital wart prevention.
