When you encounter unpleasant warts on the skin, you want to get rid of them right away. But in such a delicate matter as condylomas, one removal is not enough, because the immune system is involved.
What is genital warts
Genital warts - a viral disease that manifests itself in rashes on the mucous membrane, which look like warts. They are also commonly called genital or genital warts, viral papillomas. This is because the causative agent is papillomavirus.
The disease is transmitted sexually or from mother to baby during childbirth. Moreover, the virus may not manifest itself for a long time. The incubation period is from one to six months, in some cases reaches up to several years. At the same time, genital warts in women and men are quite common.
Once in the body, the virus spreads through the circulatory system and is fixed in the perineum, in the genital area, anal opening, in the oral cavity, on the surface of the thighs and buttocks. In practice, condylomas can also be found in the vagina. Having invaded the epithelial DNA cell, the virus makes it work differently. It divides and increases in size, forming a wart or condyloma. Outwardly, the neoplasm of an elongated form, therefore, is called pointed.
The dimensions of genital genital warts are small, only a few millimeters, but in quantity they can reach up to hundreds. The degree of growth of warts can be very rapid, able to cover the entire surface of the genital organs and vaginal mucosa.
The disease can manifest itself with severe itching, burning sensation, an unpleasant odor will be felt. If the papilloma is injured, then spotting is possible. The condylomas themselves are flesh-colored.
Reasons for the appearance
The disease is more common among those who lead an active, diverse sexual life, without using barrier methods of protection (condoms). Therefore, as a rule, young people under 30 are at risk.
The causes of genital warts in women also lead to:
- Previously transmitted sexually transmitted disease (chlamydia, herpes, candidiasis, trichomoniasis, etc.).
- Decreased immunity, pregnancy, stress, vitamin deficiency.
- Dysbacteriosis (in the vagina).
Anxiety symptoms
For a long time, the virus may be in the waiting phase. Externally, genital warts in women may not appear at all and are found only in the results of blood tests. This is one of the most favorable symptoms. Because it indicates a strong immune system that copes with the virus thanks to the work of antibodies.
The most unpleasant outcome is when a woman found small formations on the surface of the genital organs, which, when overgrown, can cause discomfort. It should be borne in mind that when exposed to underwear, condylomas on the labia may disappear. At this point, a bleeding wound forms, which does not heal, but transforms into a sore. If it gets into the area of the wound of infection, purulent discharge may appear.
If you leave everything as it is and not treat it, then the area of the affected surface increases and delivers strong pain.
Intimate problem
It is much more difficult to detect the formation of condyloma in the vagina, most likely this occurs during a gynecological examination at the attending physician. The danger of such an arrangement of papillomas can lead to the fact that they will be detected late, and this will lead to serious complications. These include: the risk of developing dysplasia, ectopia and a cervical tumor. If ectopia can be cured, then two other diseases lead to the development of cancerous tumors.
A woman needs to take a smear test for cytology once a year in order to detect deviations in time. The importance of visiting a gynecologist is also explained by the fact that during the examination, various pathologies on the cervix are revealed. Genital warts can develop here. Since the inflammatory process occurs inside, a woman for a long time may not be aware of the presence of the virus. Such unpleasant symptoms as a sip of the abdomen, discharge, are often compared with the presence of other similar diseases in terms of symptoms. The complexity of the treatment will be the inaccessibility for treating wounds, cauterization of papillomas.
Diagnostic Methods
The risk of developing genital warts in women can be judged by the results of blood tests (PCR) for sexually transmitted infections. There are more than a hundred species of varieties of this virus, but when diagnosing, attention should be paid to strains numbered 6 and 11. It is believed that their presence does not lead to the development of malignant neoplasms. But they more often than others become the reason for the development of the virus.
Viruses such as 16, 18, 31, and 33 are less common, but they lead to cancer and therefore require special attention and control.
Do not think that if, after diagnosis, genital warts are detected only in a woman, then her partner does not have them. Without fail, it is also necessary to check for the presence of the virus and him. Most likely, it can be a carrier of this virus, which does not manifest itself in any way. Therefore, it is recommended that both undergo a course of therapy.
Advanced colposcopy can also be used to determine papillomas. It allows you to assess the condition of the cervix. For research, the sensitivity of the epithelium to acetic acid is checked, and a Schiller test is also performed.
After receiving the results of the tests and establishing the cause of the development of papillomas, the doctor fixes the diagnosis. According to regulatory documents, genital warts according to ICD-10 are classified as A63.0 - anogenital (venereal) warts.
Where to start treatment
If a woman’s immune system is strong, then she will resist the action of the virus, exactly until there is a malfunction in her body that can trigger the action of the virus. Therefore, the treatment of genital warts in women is an integrated approach. Also, for the period until complete recovery, it is necessary to exclude sexual intercourse. With the active course of the disease, even a condom will not save the partner from infection.
There are vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix, which are recommended as a way to protect against papillomavirus and cervical cancer. However, their effectiveness appears only in a number of virus types (6, 11, 16, 18) and does not cover others. This means that the vaccine is useless with respect to the remaining types of virus that may cause genital warts in women. Treatment may be required even if the vaccine has already been given. It is noteworthy that it can only be done by girls aged 9 to 17 years old and young women from 18 to 26 years old.
If we talk about conservative methods of treatment, then it is customary to distinguish:
- Physical - laser cauterization, electrocoagulation, radio wave method.
- Surgical, using a scalpel to excise warts or, if they are localized in the urethra, using an urethroscope.
- Chemical when drugs with aggressive chemicals are used.
In most cases, doctors first try to localize the inflammatory focus, reduce the growth of genital warts with the help of immunomodulating drugs and drugs that help cope with the virus. Only against the background of a lack of improvement they resort to radical measures.
Topical treatment of genital warts
A less traumatic and more affordable method of treating candidiasis, genital warts in women is the use of ointments, gels, sprays of a different nature. This method allows to reduce the growth of neoplasms and at the same time have an immunomodulating effect on the whole organism.
One of the most popular is the Epigen gel or spray. Its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties have a beneficial effect on the affected areas, softening them and removing condylomas. Intravaginally used in the form of a spray, and if condylomas are found on the labia, then in the form of a gel. The course of treatment is selected by the doctor, it is allowed to use up to five times a day, the duration is no more than two weeks.
It copes well with the virus and improves the immunity of the Panavir gel. The advantage of this tool is that it consists of natural ingredients. It increases the viability of the affected cells and inhibits the development of the virus. Apply a thin layer to those areas of the skin where there are papillomas. It can be used up to five times a day, not more than a week. In some cases, on the recommendation of a doctor, the course of treatment can be extended up to 10 days. The best result is observed when using the gel at an early stage of the disease. This drug is not recommended for use during pregnancy, lactation, and kidney disease.
The use of salicylic ointment is possible only if condylomas formed on the skin, and not on the mucous membrane. This is due to the fact that the main contraindication for use is the presence of genital warts in the genital area, anus. As for the use of oxolinic ointment, then in this case it is allowed. Apply it to the mucosa with a thin layer. However, treatment with ointment alone can take a long time, so you should not expect that this method will quickly get rid of genital warts.
Preparations for the treatment of genital warts in the form of tablets have positively proven themselves:
- "Isoprinosine" - is an antiviral, immunostimulating agent. Its action is aimed at blocking viral activity. The duration of treatment is not more than ten days, the intensity of admission should be regulated by the doctor’s testimony.
- "Novirin" - also positively established itself in the process of treatment with papillomas. Slows down the action of the virus, while increasing the activity of lymphocytes. Thus, an anti-inflammatory effect is achieved. May be taken as a prophylaxis of viral diseases. Contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Immunomodulating ointments for genital warts
One of the effective drugs is an ointment from warts "Imiquimod" or "Aldara". This is one name for a drug that is effective in treating papillomavirus. It can be used in the intimate zone, helps to restore affected tissues, has a positive effect on increasing immunity. According to the instructions, you can apply no more than 16 weeks, which is strictly regulated by the appointment of a doctor. It is noteworthy that you need to apply the ointment at night, and during the morning toilet you need to wash off the remnants with soapy water. Scheme of use - every other day.
Another popular ointment for condylomas - Viferon, also has a beneficial effect on increasing immunity, as it is an immunomodulator. When healing from wounds, no scars remain. According to the instructions, the main active ingredient - human interferon, can prevent the development of oncoviruses, inhibiting the development of tumor cells. The main advantage over other ointments is that it can be used during pregnancy.
Cauterization of genital warts
Radical methods include cauterizing genital warts in various ways: laser, liquid nitrogen, using radio wave and electrocoagulation. The main contraindication for choosing this treatment is the risk of developing cancer, if the virus belongs to this category. As a rule, doctors choose the most gentle way. However, it is worth considering each of the above methods in more detail.
Removal of genital warts with a laser allows you to get rid of neoplasms pointwise. The beam of radiation emitted by the laser penetrates into the cell, and the condyloma seems to evaporate. A scab remains on the wound site - a dry crust. Within a week, the wound heals. This treatment method does without pain relief. It is possible to conduct treatment of genital warts with a laser in specialized medical centers and clinics.
Radio wave and electrocoagulation are considered the most painful and are carried out strictly in a specialized medical institution, possibly with the use of anesthesia. There is no scar left after the procedure.
Cryodestruction is performed using liquid nitrogen. It is considered the safest, less traumatic way to get rid of papillomas. The growth is frozen, after which it falls off, the wound can heal up to two weeks.
After the procedure, it is important to observe physical peace, namely, not to lift weights, not to be in the same position for a long time. You will have to temporarily refuse to visit the sauna, bath, pool.
Preventative methods
Since the disease occurs against a background of reduced immunity, it is first necessary to monitor your health, take vitamin complexes regularly. It is not recommended to subject the body to severe stress and overwork. If work is associated with physical activity, it is important to find time for short breaks, and during lunch, devote time to rest, relaxation.
It is better to prevent the disease than to resort to different treatment methods later. Therefore, during intercourse it is necessary to think about remedies, especially when it comes to intermittent sexual partners. Externally, a man may not have the presence of genital warts, however, he may be a carrier of the virus, which activates in a woman during a decrease in immunity.
Observance of basic hygiene rules, normalization of nutrition will protect the body from external irritants. And it is important to remember that self-medication may not lead to the consequences that are expected. Traditional medicine can only be used to stimulate the immune system or in combination. Effective in this case will be milk thistle, echinacea and other herbs that increase vitality. However, it will not be possible to completely replace the treatment with folk remedies.