Vaginal Warts

Genital warts in women

Genital warts (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted diseases in USA and Europe. Genital Warts is extremely contagious and many people spreading it don’t even know they have been infected with the virus. In fact 5-10% of people are carrying the genital wart virus (HPV) and 50% of those will develop genital warts caused by the HPV.

There is a lot of information for woman regarding genital warts due to its links with cervical cancer. The human papilloma virus (HPV) strains 16 and 18 have been linked to changes in cervical cells that can lead to cancer. Which is why it is important that all women who are sexually active have a regular cervical pap smear test? A smear test is performed by a doctor who opens the vagina using a speculum (a metal instrument that gently stretches the entrance and the walls of the vagina) and taking a small sample of cells from the cervix with a swab. Also Anal cancer has been linked to genital warts but is rare but it is even rarer in people who do not have genital warts. In the USA around 2000 cases of anal cancer are diagnosed each year.

Some women are more likely to develop genital warts than others. Women with a weak immune system are more at risk to develop genital warts and other illnesses associated with HPV including cancer. Also lesbians and bisexual women are 17 times more likely to develop genital warts than straight women.

What do genital warts look like?

Genital warts have an irregular shape and can vary in shape and size from small red/white spots to large cauliflower-shaped lumps.
In women genital warts usually occur around the opening of the vagina (vulva), but can occur in the folds of skin alongside the vaginal opening, to the womb, or around the anus. Both men and women can get the warts in their mouth and down the throat after engaging in oral sex.
Both men and women are equally at risk of developing genital warts. In rare cases adults and children can be infected indirectly, for instance through the use of an infected towel. Babies can also be infected during delivery (see genital warts during pregnancy).
Both men and women can get the warts in their mouth and down the throat after engaging in oral sex.

Anus and rectum genital warts

If you have contracted HPV virus there is a strong possibility you many not ever get any genital warts. If you are unfortunate to get an outbreak of genital warts some people only have one episode, while others have many recurrences throughout their lifetime (see genital warts pictures).

How often can episodes occur?

Can I still have sex with genital warts?

If someone has visible symptoms of genital warts, they should not have sexual activity until the warts have been treated and removed.

Condoms do not cover all genital skin, so they don't protect 100%. But may help provide protection to stop the virus been spread to partners. If you have a partner you are sexually active with, there is a strong possibility they have already contracted the HPV virus from you. However only 50% of people who have HPV develop genital warts.

Treatment

Sadly there is no cure for HPV, and once you are infected you will have it for the rest of your life. However your body can ‘fight it off’ and the virus itself can become dormant for decades and then reappear, but once the warts have formed they don't typically regress and require treatment. Although some genital warts can disappear after 2-3 years.
There are home prescription treatments available that require a prescription by a doctor, however you can purchase these drugs without any prescription on this site. Also available are natural treatments which are known to be effective.

Other treatments can be carried out by a doctor including; Cryotherapy works by freezing off the wart and kills the warts 70% of the time, but recurrence is 40% to 73% 6 months after treatment. And laser therapy can be used also, which is often used as a last resort and is extremely expensive (see genital warts symptoms).