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Genital warts (HPV) are raised, bumpy growths that appear in the genital area. They resemble common warts and emerge 1-6 months after infection. Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and are sexually transmitted. The medical term for the condition is condyloma acuminata.
Since the virus can take weeks or months to appear after infection, it may be difficult to determine which partner transmitted it if you have multiple partners. Women infected with HPV are at high risk for cervical cancer.
The most distinctive feature of HPV is the appearance of skin-colored, pink, or brown bumps in the genital area. Some patients may experience bleeding and itching.
Treatment can be applied in different ways. One of the medications for genital warts, podophyllin, is a liquid applied directly to the wart. Since it can damage healthy skin, it must be washed off after 4 hours. This medication is not used in pregnant women.
If the warts do not disappear within a week, cryotherapy (freezing) may be used to treat genital warts. In this procedure, cold nitrogen gas is applied directly to the warts. Another treatment method is electrocautery, where a device with special tips delivers an electric current to burn off the warts. If the warts do not improve with the above methods, they can be removed surgically or with a laser. A gynecologist or urologist can perform this procedure.
Using condoms during sexual intercourse can provide protection. Although condoms do not offer 100% protection, they do reduce the risk of transmission. If you have genital warts, you should not neglect to have an annual gynecological examination and pap smear test.
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