Condyloma is a pathological overgrowth of skin or mucous membranes of a flesh or red-gray color, which is characterized by the appearance of growths. In their shape, they resemble scallops. In this case, both flat and wide condylomas are found.
Description of the problem
Growths, as a rule, appear during a period of decreased immunity. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). It is quite common, but often does not appear at all.
They can be infected both sexually and by contact and domestic means. Sometimes it’s enough to use some household items with a person whose condylomas are visible. The reviews indicate that if you want to get rid of them, it is quite possible.
It is worth noting that people with good immunity can simply be carriers of this virus throughout their lives. But if the body's defenses are weakened, then growths can begin to appear. We must understand that if condylomas have already appeared, then they will not disappear. Such a person needs a comprehensive treatment. It should be aimed not only at eliminating the external signs of the disease, but also at suppressing the virus in the body.
Intimate features
Quite often, women at a doctor’s examination find out that they have genital warts. They can be located both on the external genitalia and on the internal. The most popular places of dislocation are the site of entry into the vagina, the labia minora or labia majora, and the perineum. But sometimes they form on the cervix. In this case, the woman may not even suspect infection.
Also, condyloma can grow in the anus. This often happens imperceptibly for the patient, because such an education at first does not cause any discomfort. But the growth of genital warts is accompanied by not too pleasant sensations. A person may be bothered by itching, mucus secretion, blood and other discomfort.
Oral sex with an infected partner can easily cause condylomas in the oral cavity. Neoplasms can begin to grow on the cheeks, lips, vocal cords and larynx. Such growths are characterized by small size, uneven surface and towering edges. Sometimes only small dense single nodules appear.
In representatives of the stronger sex, the foreskin is usually affected (the inner part of the surface). In some cases, condylomas in men can form directly on the penis, its head or testicles. By the way, it was noticed that those who have an excess of sperm are most often affected by external manifestations of the stronger sex.
Nature of defeat
Not always immediately after contact with an infected person, signs of the disease may appear. In some people, symptoms appear only after a few years. It happens that a person is a carrier of the HPV strain, which causes the appearance of genital warts, but does not even suspect about it. There are frequent cases when any clinical manifestations of the disease are generally absent.
And yet, why do condylomas appear? The reasons for their growth in all people are similar. As already mentioned, they occur during a period of weakened immunity. Provoking factors can be:
- stress, sedentary, sedentary lifestyle, bad habits;
- sexually transmitted diseases;
- bacterial infections;
- pregnancy;
- overweight;
- untidiness.
Before the appearance of neoplasms, a person may be disturbed by itching or burning. When growths are already noticeable, these symptoms usually go away.
Types of genital warts
Experts classify candidiasis depending on their type. For example, the formation on a thin leg of red-gray or pink color is a genital warts. This outgrowth is visually similar to the crest of a rooster or the cauliflower inflorescence.
Broad warts are similar in appearance to mushrooms. They do not have a thin leg, and the base is quite dense. The growths are painted, as a rule, in gray or pinkish color. The appearance of such papillomas is characteristic for the secondary period of syphilis or for a disease known as frambesia.
The most dangerous for women is flat condyloma. It grows on the cervix and causes changes in epithelial cells. You can see it only with colposcopy. The areas affected by these formations turn pale under the influence of acetic acid. There is a clear boundary between them and epithelial tissues.
Flat condylomas in men often appear on the skin areas of the penis. They can also form on the foreskin and the walls of the urethra. But it is impossible to probe them, because they do not rise above the surface.
Possible complications
If you find any kind of formations, you need to know that treatment for genital warts is mandatory. They will not pass by themselves, but can only grow and cause complications.
Pointed formations that appear on the cervix can cause carcinoma of this organ. In men, a genital tumor can be diagnosed over time. Even if the growths do not cause the development of oncology, they will still cause discomfort - to grow, become inflamed and ulcerate.
Flat condyloma can provoke the development of dysplasia and the appearance of malignant tumors. A biopsy is done to establish an accurate diagnosis after colposcopy. If as a result it is determined that candidiasis is combined with dysplasia, then competent conservative therapy is quite sufficient.
In men, phimosis can begin or even an oncological process develops.
Diagnosis of the disease
Noticing unusual growths, it is advisable to see a doctor as soon as possible. Education in the genital area, anus, and perineum should be alert. The doctor will be able to make a preliminary diagnosis after a routine gynecological examination. In parallel, it is necessary to examine the urethra. Condylomas may be there.
Smears are also mandatory. In men, material is taken from the urethra. The resulting biomaterial can be sent for special microscopic examination.
Analyzes allow you to determine which type of HPV affects the body. For these purposes, PCR diagnostics are performed. If necessary, determine the titer of antibodies in the body of a woman. In addition, doctors recommend a comprehensive examination and check for other infections in the body. You may need to carry out not only treatment for genital warts, but also get rid of other pathologies.
If there are visible growths, it is necessary to biopsy them. Histological examination can show the presence of atypical cells. If they are detected, then further treatment will be carried out under the guidance of an oncologist.
Therapies
It is important to comprehensively approach the treatment of the disease. It should be aimed not only at removing the genital warts themselves, but also at suppressing the virus in the body. It is worth noting that getting rid of it is almost impossible. But then with well-chosen drug therapy, its activity can be significantly reduced. Treatment should be aimed at combating viral disease and stimulating the immune system.
Such medications as Viferon, Immunomax, Isoprinosine, Allokin-Alpha, Likopid, Epigen Intim or their analogues can be prescribed. A doctor can prescribe several drugs at the same time, combining oral administration and local treatment. For example, Viferon is available in suppositories, gels, and ointments. The drug "Allokin-Alpha" is a lyophilizate for the preparation of injection solutions, "Isoprinosine" - tablets, "Epigen Intim" - spray.
After the start of active immunostimulating and antiviral therapy, you can proceed directly to the removal of genital warts.
Methods of getting rid of external manifestations
Specialists can give two answers to the question of how condyloma can be removed. In modern medical practice, methods such as:
- chemical coagulation;
- cryodestruction;
- dermocoagulation;
- radiosurgery;
- laser destruction.
Each of these methods has both its advantages and disadvantages. But they all allow you to remove the external manifestations of HPV without any scarring. After the procedures, a smooth, clean, healthy surface remains.
Features of hardware procedures
One of the common methods is cauterization of genital warts, or dermocoagulation. Under the influence of high temperatures, high-frequency radiation or an electric knife condylomas are destroyed. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.
Laser destruction of genital warts is considered one of the safest and most effective methods. Under the influence of the beam, the growths disappear. After the procedure, in the places of formation of growths, only a dried crust remains. She herself disappears after a few days. And under the crust remains healthy and smooth skin. But this is one of the most expensive methods.
Radiosurgical removal can also not be called cheap. A beam of high-frequency waves is sent to pathological formations. With it, the tissues are cut, and the condyloma is removed along with the leg. This procedure is considered the most gentle, because after it is done, there are no traces on the skin.
Using other methods
The use of special drugs, which are based on nitric acid, is called chemical coagulation. This is a painless method for eliminating genital warts. In pharmacies you can even find drugs intended for home use. With their help, any wart can be removed. Condyloma also disappears under their influence.
The destructive effect of liquid nitrogen is based on the cryodestruction method. It should be carried out only by an experienced specialist. After all, liquid nitrogen is not allowed on healthy tissues. This method is considered one of the most common and affordable.
If warts are detected in the urethra, a special approach to the procedure for their removal is required. For these purposes, they use a special device - an urethroscope. It is injected into the urethra and, with the help of special preparations, the condylomas that arise there are treated. Also, their removal is possible by dermocoagulation or using a laser beam.
Features of the treatment of pregnant women
Often, women with HPV do not experience any symptoms for many years. But with the onset of pregnancy, the body's defenses are weakened, and it is at this time that the virus can become activated, and condyloma appears. This means that you should consult your gynecologist as soon as possible and choose the appropriate treatment regimen.
Why is the formation of genital warts in the area of the vagina, cervix or labia so dangerous? Yes, because the child can become infected when passing through the birth canal. And this is fraught with serious consequences, because in a baby, growths can begin to grow in the larynx and thus become a cause of difficulty in breathing. That is why such women are offered to do a cesarean section.
Treat condylomas are recommended only in those cases when they are located on the cervix. To remove them, use an electric loop. But you can do this no earlier than at the 14th week of pregnancy. In all other situations, treatment is prescribed only after childbirth. During pregnancy, the use of local funds is permissible. Viferon suppositories or other similar drugs may be prescribed.