Genital Warts

Genital warts are small bumps or growths that form in or around the genital areas. They are caused by the HPV strains 6 and 11.

Warts differ in shape and size from individual to individual. They are harmless, usually painless, and don’t really affect your physical health. However, it is important to treat them as they may multiply or become uncomfortable.

The warts are also very contagious and are transmitted through sexual contact. If left untreated, they can be passed onto your sexual partner.

Once treated, genital warts can reoccur. It is also important to note that treating genital warts doesn’t cure HPV. Once you are infected with the virus, it remains in your body forever, and you may spread it to others.

Genital warts do not look the same for everyone. They vary in their appearance and size. There are different types of genital warts, such as:

• Cluster warts: These are the most common types of warts. They appear in clusters of small raised bumps, which makes them appear in a cauliflower-like form.
• Flat warts: These warts are skin-colored and appear slightly raised, making them harder to detect.
• Single warts: These genital warts appear individually rather than in clusters.
• Multiple warts: These are similar to cluster warts. The only difference is that they grow on multiple genital and rectal areas.

Genital warts appear on the genital or rectal areas in both men and women. This includes the vulva, the vagina, and the cervix in women and the penis and the scrotum in men. The warts can appear around the anal area in both men and women.

Genital warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted infection.

HPV can be spread by:

• Having more than one sexual partner.
• Practising unsafe, unprotected sex with strangers. This includes anal, vaginal, penile, or vaginal-vaginal intercourse.
• Having skin-to-skin contact with people suffering from HPV. This includes sexual intercourse as well as giving or receiving oral sex.

It may be challenging to notice the symptoms of genital warts straight away as the warts are usually small and painless. It’s also possible to contract the virus and not show any symptoms.

You may experience itching or irritation in and around your genital and rectal areas.

Rarely, you may lightly bleed from your genital or rectal areas after having sexual intercourse.

If you feel that small skin-colored bumps are beginning to form on or around your genitalia, or you begin to experience any of the symptoms listed above, seek immediate medical attention.

Genital warts aren’t that common. In fact, 90% of people who are infected with HPV do not develop genital warts.

You could develop genital warts if you have:

• Multiple sexual partners: Having more than one sexual partner at a time can increase the risk of being affected by HPV.
• Frequent unprotected sex: Having unprotected sex often, especially with strangers, can result in HPV.
• A weak immune system: A compromised immune system, together with unprotected sex, puts you at a higher risk of developing HPV.

The best way to diagnose genital warts is to contact your healthcare provider.

They will conduct a physical examination, which usually involves a visual inspection of your genitalia to see if you have genital warts.

Usually, the visual inspection is enough to identify genital warts. However, when genital warts are camouflaged into the skin they can be harder to identify. In such cases, your doctor will perform a biopsy, which involves taking a sample of the skin from your genital area and sending it to a laboratory in order to diagnose genital warts.

Genital warts do not affect your fertility rate. However, they may impact pregnant women. If genital warts occur during pregnancy, they can multiply and grow due to hormone levels. Therefore, they should be treated as soon as possible.

There are many options to treat genital warts. However, treating genital warts does not cure HPV, so even once treated, genital warts can resurface.

Here are some of the best treatment options for genital warts:

Prescription-only medicines:

• Imiquimod cream: This is a topical cream that is applied directly to genital warts. It is the generic version of the branded medication Aldara.
• Podofilox gel: This gel solution is applied directly to genital warts. It is the generic version of the branded medicine Condylox gel.
• Sinecatechins: Sinecatechins is an ointment made from catechins found in green tea. It clears warts more effectively than Imiquimod cream and Podofilox gel and causes less skin irritation. However, it takes longer to clear the warts than Imiquimod.
• Trichloroacetic acid (TCA): This is a chemical treatment that destroys the wart tissue. This treatment is applied only when the genital warts are in hard-to-reach areas. Unlike the first two medicinal options, which allow the warts to be treated at home, the TCA treatment is applied by your doctor.

Other therapy options:

• Cryotherapy: This involves freezing warts with liquid nitrogen. This process makes the warts fall off the skin. The treatment may take several sessions to show the full effect.
• Electrocautery: This process involves burning off the warts by using a low-voltage electric current.
• Laser therapy: This involves using an intense light to destroy the warts. It is used in cases where the warts are located in sensitive areas or are hard to reach. However, this treatment takes longer to treat the warts compared to other conventional treatment options.
• Wart-removal surgery: Warts can also be removed via surgery if all other possible treatment options fail.

Medicines for genital warts may cause some side effects. However, most of these are mild and do not last long. They may include:

• Irritated skin, redness, itching, ulceration, or a burning sensation at the site of application.
• Skin inflammation, swelling, or discomfort.
• Skin scarring

The treatment duration for genital warts can vary based on the treatment method. While topical creams and gels such as Imiquimod and Podofilox can take anywhere between 1-12 weeks to treat genital warts, other invasive treatments such as surgery can take longer to heal the warts. However, the warts can resurface even after the treatment ends, as HPV, the cause of the warts, cannot be treated, but only managed.

If you choose not to treat genital warts, they may take some months or even years to go away on their own. But HPV will always stay in your system, making the warts reappear time and again.

If left untreated, genital warts will also cause mild physical discomfort. This can prevent you from having sexual intercourse with your partner.

If you already have genital warts, the following lifestyle changes will help you manage them well:

Consider the following steps to prevent genital warts:

• Get the HPV vaccine: If you are not already infected by HPV, get a HPV vaccine to protect yourself against the virus as soon as possible. This will help prevent genital warts from forming on your skin. You can still benefit from taking the HPV vaccine if you already have HPV, as the vaccine will protect you from getting infected by other HPV strains.
• Limit your number of sexual partners: Do not engage in sexual activity with multiple partners. This will protect you from getting infected by HPV.
• Have routine check-ups with your doctor: Regular appointments with your doctor are important for receiving a timely diagnosis of HPV. If you are a female, getting a PAP smear can help detect any signs of HPV from the onset.

Yes, you can buy treatment for genital warts online at SpeedyHealth. All you have to do is follow these simple steps:

• Choose a medicine for genital warts that you think will work the best for you.
• Fill out our online consultation form. It should only take 5-10 minutes.
• Our doctor will review the form and determine if the treatment is best for you.
• If they approve, the doctor will issue an e-prescription for the treatment.
• Our licensed pharmacy will dispatch the treatment in discreet packaging to your doorstep with free delivery.

At SpeedyHealth, we provide fast and convenient healthcare without the hassle of waiting in line for a prescription. Your medications are just a few clicks away.

You can trust that there are no hidden fees or costs when you order from us.

Best of all, we offer free and discreet delivery right to your doorstep. Your order is completely confidential, and you won’t have to pay for shipping.