Cervical condyloma is a viral pathology. Most often, it occurs in women of childbearing age. It is dangerous in that it can lead to infertility and cancer pathologies of the organs of the reproductive system. That is why, when the initial symptoms appear, it is important to immediately begin treatment of the disease.
Medical certificate
Condyloma is a small growth or wart. She is a benign entity. The disease, which is characterized by the formation of warts in the genital area, is called condylomatosis. Infection occurs during unprotected intercourse. Prevention of infection are only barrier contraceptives - condoms.
There is no direct threat to the health of cervical warts. However, with the appearance of such warts, you must immediately consult a gynecologist and begin therapy. Otherwise, they are highly likely to degenerate into malignant tumors.
The main causes of condylomatosis
The main cause of the disease is the penetration of the human papillomavirus into the body. In most cases, this occurs with unprotected sexual contact, less often - due to the use of other personal hygiene products.
After entering the body, the virus undergoes an incubation period. Its duration does not have a clear framework. It can be from a couple of weeks to several years. Sometimes "hibernation" does not end throughout the life of a woman. The activation of the virus and the appearance of genital warts on the cervix is affected by a decrease in immunity. The weakening of the defenses is possible for the following reasons:
- hypothermia of the body;
- frequent stress;
- infectious diseases;
- bad ecology;
- sexually transmitted diseases;
- addictions;
- pregnancy and childbirth;
- vitamin deficiency.
At risk are women who often change sexual partners and neglect contraceptives.
Features of pathogenesis
The development of the disease is not particularly difficult and begins after the virus enters the epithelial cells. Then their DNA is destroyed. The healthy element is viral DNA. As a result, the full-fledged work of the cell is disrupted, its active division begins. Thus, condylomas occur. The more cells are affected, the larger the pathological process.
Clinical picture
The main symptom of condylomatosis is warts located on the cervix. However, only a gynecologist can see them when examined on an armchair. If the neoplasms are flat and small, the woman does not feel obvious symptoms.
Cervical condylomas appear only with extensive lesions. At the same time, during an intimacy, a woman will feel discomfort, and after it may appear spotting. In approximately 30% of cases, patients complain of itching and burning in the area of the warts. Gradually, these symptoms increase, which makes you seek medical help.
Varieties of neoplasms
Cervical condylomas are divided into flat and peaked. Each of the options has its own distinctive features.
Flat condyloma is a benign neoplasm, but if untreated, its cells can transform into cancerous. Its characteristic feature is growth inward. Elements of condyloma are introduced into the epithelium of the mucosa. The neoplasm itself is almost on par with the organ tissue, which complicates the diagnosis. On the surface of the epithelium, a flat condyloma of the cervix leaves from deeper layers. This process indicates the prolonged presence of the virus in the woman's body.
If flat neoplasms are a sign of a chronic course of the disease, then genital ones indicate an exacerbation of pathology. The latter look like short-stem warts. They can constantly grow. Genital warts of the cervix cause discomfort to the woman, provoking itching and burning. They are located on the surface of the epithelium, so during a gynecological examination they are easy to see.
Pregnancy hazard
The occurrence of condylomatosis during pregnancy is a rather unpleasant phenomenon. If neoplasms grow rapidly, they must be removed, but not earlier than 14 weeks.
They pose the greatest danger to the child. While moving through the birth canal, he may become infected with the virus. This happens with a premature inspiration. In this case, the virus enters the children's body, provoking condylomatosis of the larynx. To avoid such an unpleasant diagnosis, a woman is recommended a cesarean delivery.
Diagnostic Methods
Diagnosis of condylomatosis begins with an examination of the woman on the armchair. If neoplasms are detected on the surface of the neck, the gynecologist prescribes an additional examination to determine the genotype of the virus. Directly during the examination, the doctor can take a smear for analysis and conduct colposcopy. The latter procedure involves the use of a special apparatus, with which you can examine the internal genital organs with multiple enlargement. The examination is almost painless, but informative.
Flat condylomas on the cervix in women are not always distinguishable. To identify the pathological site, the gynecologist applies Lugol's solution or vinegar to the mucous membrane. In the first case, healthy areas become brown. Viral elements do not change color. When using acetic acid, healthy areas remain unchanged, and condylomas become grayish or yellowish.
Another method for diagnosing human papillomavirus is a PCR study. During the procedure, the doctor takes the patient’s DNA, which may contain pathological elements. As a rule, the material is vaginal discharge. Then, in laboratory conditions, the test is further performed.
Treatment options
After confirming the diagnosis, the gynecologist prescribes therapy: conservative or surgical. The method of treatment depends on several factors: the age of the patient, the type of genital warts, the presence of concomitant health problems. Each of the options will be described in detail below.
For the entire time of treatment, specific restrictions for a woman do not exist. She is not given sick leave, she can do the usual things. However, intimate contacts will have to be abandoned. This will help prevent trauma to tumors and reinfestation.
The use of medicines
Treatment of cervical warts should be comprehensive. It is necessary not only to eliminate neoplasms, but also to prevent their reappearance. For this purpose, after confirming the diagnosis, the woman is prescribed antiviral and immunomodulating drugs. It is allowed to use folk remedies with a similar effect, but only after consulting a doctor.
To block the activity of the virus at the local level, vaginal suppositories are usually prescribed. For example, “Panavir” or “Genferon”. Well-recommended solution for external use "Solkovagin". However, only a gynecologist can apply it to the affected area. Without a special tool, it is likely to touch healthy areas, which will cause a burn. Usually, one application is enough to achieve a positive effect. Otherwise, the procedure is repeated.
Surgery and patient reviews
If conservative therapy is ineffective, there is a risk of complications; surgical removal of genital warts on the cervix is recommended. In modern medicine, the following procedures are used for this purpose:
- Cryodestruction. Treatment is with liquid nitrogen, with which warts are frozen. After a while, they disappear on their own.
- Laser Therapy Using a laser beam, condylomas are cauterized. At the place of the neoplasm, a crust remains, which disappears within a week.
- The radio knife. This treatment is similar to laser therapy, but involves the use of a device with high frequency radio waves.
- Excision with a scalpel. This is a traditional method for removing genital warts. They resort to his help if there are contraindications to the other treatment options, there is a risk of degeneration of the wart into a malignant tumor.
According to patients' reviews, none of these options allows you to forget about the existence of genital warts forever. Using conservative or surgical methods of treatment, you can only stop the external manifestations of the ailment on the cervix. After genital warts and a course of therapy, a woman should pay special attention to her own health and follow the doctor's recommendations in order to delay the reappearance of warts.
Prevention Methods
Judging by the photo, condylomas on the cervix look rather unpleasant. Is it possible to prevent their occurrence?
Condylomatosis is a disease that occurs through sexual contact. Standard preventive measures come down to the prevention of accidental intimate relationships, the use of barrier contraceptives. It is important to observe basic rules of personal hygiene.
However, even this approach does not completely protect your body from genital warts. Additionally, you can regularly take a test for a human papillomavirus from your gynecologist. If the infection does happen, you should closely monitor your health, if necessary, take a course of antiviral therapy. It is equally important to eat right, consume vitamins and monitor the full functioning of the immune system.
There is a specific way to prevent infection with the human papillomavirus - vaccination with the drug "Gardasil". Today it is actively promoted in all European countries. However, opinions on this issue in medical circles are quite controversial. Some doctors consider vaccination an absolute guarantee of protection against the virus, while others find a hidden threat in it and a large number of contraindications. If you wish, you can additionally consult several specialists at once on this issue and make a final decision for yourself. In our country, vaccination is actively used. It is worth noting that the vaccine is allowed to be given to all representatives of the fair sex, whose age is in the range from 13 to 26 years.