Diagnosis of genital warts. Pointed warts. Local treatment of genital warts

Until recently, condylomas were considered companions of many sexually transmitted diseases, and were considered as a symptom of these pathological processes. The “independence” of condylomas was acquired with the expansion of knowledge about papillomavirus infection, due to the diagnostic capabilities of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which made it possible to link directly the appearance of warty growths on the genitals, in the mouth, on the skin with the presence in the body. However, the confusion in the classification has remained to this day, that is, there are no clear criteria for distinguishing, for example, flat condyloma with HPV and condyloma wide accompanying.

Condylomas, papillomas ... What are the similarities and differences?

Before considering various neoplasms in intimate places, as well as on other mucous membranes (oral cavity) and the skin in general, one should dwell on specific phenomena that the papilloma virus can “throw out”. HPV is related to both warts and papillomas, that is, this is their undoubted similarity. However, given the many varieties (types) of the virus, and there are more than 100 of them, not all of its manifestations are identical to each other. HPV, depending on its type, can:

• Be quite aggressive oncological diseases and be called highly oncogenic (types 16, 18);
• Show weak oncogenicity, but in some cases retain the ability to provoke the degeneration of benign neoplasms into cancerous processes;
• Have a "good-natured" appearance, do not cause serious trouble to the wearer, but cause benign lesions of the skin and mucous membranes. Genital warts and papillomas are usually associated with these HPV variants (types 6, 11, 42, 43, 44).

Condylomas originate from one infectious agent, but, being a particular manifestation of its individual types, they have morphological differences.

For example, we consider condyloma as a chronic inflammatory process (productive inflammation), in which the virus, multiplying inside epithelial cells, causes the epithelium to proliferate and grow intensively (hyperplasia). This results in the formation of genital warts (Condilomata acuminate), inside which is concentrated a large number of virus. This suggests another conclusion: condylomas are contagious like HPV, that is, a virus is transmitted from person to person (usually types 6, 11), which, perhaps, in new conditions will not manifest itself in a similar way (growth of “cauliflower”) if the immune system able to give an appropriate answer. A person suffering from condylomatosis transmits a viral infection, and God alone knows how it will behave in the body of a new “owner”. Medicine knows many cases when the immune system itself copes and defeats the virus. Then they talk about self-healing, which usually occurs within a year from the onset of infection and which, by the way, does not protect against infection with another type of HPV.

various forms of warts and papillomas

As for papilloma, it is referred to as benign tumor processes of the skin and mucous membranes, which look like a papilla on a leg. Papillomas can become inflamed, bleed, and even, unfortunately, turn into a malignant tumor. And here for genital warts, malignancy (rebirth) is not typical at all, perhaps, with the exception of cases of the giant condyloma of Buschke-Levenshtein.

Papillomavirus - the most ubiquitous of the "brothers"

It is known that HPV is a very common virus, it is believed that almost every person who has entered the age of puberty and does not neglect sex has already managed to “get acquainted” with this infection, which, by the way, can be transmitted in other ways:

1. Contact-household (infection is possible even in a children's team, therefore, if a virus is detected, you should not blame your sexual partner for infidelity);
2. Hematogenous, realized through the blood;
3. Vertical (transplacental) - during pregnancy from mother to fetus;
4. When passing through the birth canal.

Thus, the human papillomavirus, which has various transmission routes, causing numerous troubles, "contributed" to the formation of such unaesthetic growths as warts and papillomas. True, this "merit" belongs to its non-oncogenic type (6, 11).

HPV is found in the skin, mucous membranes, and many body fluids.(blood, semen, urine, secretion of the mucous membranes of the genital tract, saliva), so it is not surprising that genital warts appear on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, on the hands, the scalp, in general, almost anywhere in the human body.

The size of the virus is so small that the microorganism freely penetrates through the pores of the condom, which cannot serve as a preventive measure, so HPV is found on the mucosa of the vulva, cervix, anus in 50% of women with other STIs, and in half of the men (on the mucosa anus) identifying themselves as homosexuals. This conclusion made it possible to give a DNA hybridization method that reveals the genetic material of the pathogen.

The detection of the virus and the incidence of genital warts in both sexes and various sexual orientations are approximately the same, but the risk of having anal cancer still higher in persons who prefer bisexual contacts.

Why isn't everyone so "lucky"?

Obviously, HPV is considered the main reason for the formation of warts, but in this case the question arises: since the virus is so common, why don’t everyone go with warts?

The answer is simple: both condylomas and papillomas develop well against the background of immunodeficiency Therefore, genital warts in women, young and practically healthy, often appear during pregnancy. In both sexes, growths may accompany other infectious and inflammatory diseases, which themselves contribute to a decrease in local immunity, and, accordingly, lead to the growth of epithelial cells, which manifests itself in the form of warts.

Many women who have absolutely no problems in gynecological terms in the process of life, having reached menopause, begin to complain about the intensive reproduction of papillomas. And they are also the cause decrease in natural immunity due to hormonal disorders characteristic of this age period.

Types of genital warts, manifestations, differences from other formations

Basically, people know about genital warts as ugly formations that grow in the form of "cauliflower" in intimate places. Meanwhile, not all of them are the same in appearance, moreover, they can be in a single copy, therefore they remain unnoticed. Genital condylomas in women, localized in a small amount in the vagina, in the vulva, and even more so, on the cervix, are often detected by a gynecologist, while the patient herself is unaware of their presence. It is somewhat easier in this regard for the male sex. Condylomas on the penis are hard to miss, so the owner of incomprehensible "pimples" quickly gets to a specialist with a question about the origin of warty growths.

from left to right: HPV-caused genital warts, papilloma, flat wart

The specialists themselves the concept of "condylomas" means 4 types of condylomatous formations:

• Typical, which also includes genital warts that extend to the genitals (vagina, vulva, inner leaf of the foreskin) or to the area of ​​​​the anus (anus) and resemble cauliflower in their appearance, for which they are called so;
• hyperkeratotic, which is a formation covered with scales overlapping each other and localized on the epithelium capable of keratinization (the outer leaf of the foreskin, the body of the penis, the scrotum, the labia majora);
• Papular type of formations devoid of horny layers, that is, having a smooth surface;
• flat warts, sprawling spots inside the epithelium. They may not give themselves away, because they often do not rise above the skin surface, disguising themselves as it. Formations of this kind, in general, do not allow themselves to be detected by the eye. Unfortunately, even with the help of colposcopy, they are not always recognizable. In such cases, the old proven method helps - treating the “suspicious” surface with a 3% solution of acetic acid (the area affected by the virus acquires a grayish-white color).
  Flat warts prefer the mucous membrane of the cervix in women and the head of the penis in men. This species is not as harmless as the previous ones, it is prone to endophytic growth (grows inward) and is capable of malignancy (malignancy).

The presence of flat warts is often noted as the cause of dysplasia or cervical cancer in women. During pregnancy, condylomatosis of the internal genital organs is a direct indication for caesarean section, otherwise, infection of the fetus during passage through the birth canal and development of condylomatosis of the larynx in the newborn is possible.

The growth of the surface epithelium, hypertrophy and infiltration on the labia, in the perineum (genital warts), around the anus (anal warts) with human papillomavirus infection may outwardly resemble manifestations of secondary syphilis (condylomas lata). Diagnosis in this case is based, in addition to clinical signs, on laboratory data. Wide condylomas are filled with a large amount of pale treponema, which explains the special contagiousness of the patient in this period.

Differential diagnosis of condylomatosis is carried out with cancerous and precancerous conditions of the epithelium, as well as with, which also has a viral origin (one of the types of smallpox viruses), the same transmission routes and a somewhat similar clinic (in special cases).

There may or may not be other symptoms...

It is not at all necessary that the growths that appear, in addition to their presence, have other clinical manifestations, for example, they are accompanied by pain or discomfort if they are located on the skin. Another thing is if condylomas formed in an intimate place or began to ulcerate. In such cases, they can disturb the patient, causing itching, burning, pain.

The most unpleasant symptoms of the pathological process when it is localized in the urinary tract. Condyloma of the urethra can give not only the listed sensations caused by the acidic reaction of passing urine, but also lead to a complication that is more common in cats (males) than in humans - partial or complete obstruction of the canal. In such a situation, you will not have to hesitate, since the constantly accumulating in bladder it is impossible to endure urine without its withdrawal for a long time and it’s still good if everything goes by bougienage, that is, without more serious intervention (surgical).

Among all the clinical manifestations of condylomatosis, not the last, and sometimes the most important, the place belongs to psychological state of the patient. It is not difficult to guess what kind of discomfort, excitement and feelings a person experiences even in the absence of pain, when main desire to become getting rid of unnecessary growths limiting not only sexual relations, but also darkening life in general.

How to get rid of growths of "cauliflower"?

Are the warts going away on their own or not? How to remove them? Is it possible to find remedies to help get rid of yourself, in a pharmacy or home first aid kit? How did they deal with such formations in the old days? These are questions that are primarily asked by people who have been overtaken by such a nuisance as condylomatosis.

Let's start in order:

Folk remedies for warts

We will not give such complex examples of the treatment of warty growths, which involve searching for a dead cat, visiting a cemetery at midnight, spells cast over a grave, as Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn did, but we will remind you of an old remedy that helps get rid of annoying formations.

Celandine

Many of us have heard about medicinal properties celandine. Having plucked a fresh stem and watched how unusually beautiful color juice, one could always hear from knowledgeable children, whose grandmother was known as a healer, that the orange liquid removes warts. For this it is enough to lubricate the formations several times a day, and walk until the skin becomes smooth and clean. Of course, such treatment can be practiced on the skin, but its use on the mucous membranes of the genital organs and in the mouth should be avoided. For such cases, in the nearest pharmacy you can always get chamomile and St. John's wort.

Chamomile and St. John's wort

For the treatment of genital warts, "grown" on the delicate mucous membranes, use an infusion of chamomile with St. John's wort (1: 1 per glass of water) or chamomile itself. The medicine is poured with a glass of boiling water, infused for 24 hours, filtered, and heated to 37 ° C before use. They say that if you make baths with such an infusion every day, then even anal and genital warts can go away. These plants help to increase local immunity, so a similar (favorable) outcome is quite possible.

Hare Cabbage and Rowan

Other representatives of the fauna also distinguished themselves in the fight against condylomatosis. For example, gruel prepared from hare cabbage or fresh rowan berries also helps to cleanse the skin and forget what genital warts are.

There are many ways to get rid of it. In addition to herbal remedies, they use horse hair, which they tie around a wart and wait until it falls off (not everyone can stand this!), say prayers and conspiracies, bury something in an open field ... In general, who believes in what, however, the opinion of traditional medicine remains unchanged - go to the doctor and solve the problem.

Video: genital warts in the program “Live great!”

Condyloma is a benign tumor that has a warty or papillary appearance.

Condylomas are localized both on the skin and on the mucous membranes. The formations always protrude above the surface of the skin and can be flesh-colored, pinkish, whitish or dark brown in color.

Condylomas are characterized by rapid growth and tend to merge. The disease occurs in men, women and children (with close household contact or infection during childbirth).

Causes

Diagnostics

Differential diagnosis of genital warts should be carried out with secondary syphilis, molluscum contagiosum, yaws, and malignant exophytic skin lesions.

Clinical data allow us to establish a diagnosis of almost 100%. However, laboratory tests are required:

• blood for syphilis (RW) and HIV infection;
• immunological studies;
• education biopsy;
• colposcopy with diagnostic tests (in the presence of condylomas of the vagina and cervix);
• smears for oncocytology from the surface of formations;
• polymerase chain reaction method - PCR (blood).

Treatment of genital warts

The doctor deals with the treatment of genital warts, depending on their location. This may be a proctologist, urologist, gynecologist or general surgeon.

It is impossible to cure warts with antiviral drugs, so only the method of their removal remains:

Chemical removal

For this purpose, chemicals are used, which include acids. It is possible to cauterize formations with podophyllin, condylin, solcoderm or epigen-gel.

Cryodestruction

Freezing warts with liquid nitrogen. The formation is destroyed, a wound is formed in its place, which heals in 1-2 weeks.

Diathermocoagulation

Cauterization of genital warts with an electrocoagulator or their cutting with an electric knife (high-frequency electric current). It is carried out under local anesthesia with a solution of lidocaine or novocaine.

Laser therapy

Destruction of formations by a laser beam. Most effective method.

In addition to local removal of genital warts, antiviral drugs are prescribed in rectal suppositories and / or tablets (Panavir, Genferon, Cycloferon).

The appointment of rectal suppositories is relevant for the localization of genital warts in the perianal region and on the genitals. Their action is to stop the growth and reproduction of formations.

Antiviral drugs in tablets have an immunostimulating effect, they do not affect the virus itself, but the formation of interferon involved in immunity.

Complications and prognosis

Condylomas, especially multiple and rapidly growing, are dangerous with the following complications:

• cracks in the formations, which are accompanied by pain and bleeding;
• complicated course of childbirth;
• high risk of developing malignant tumors.

The prognosis with timely and adequate treatment is favorable, however, the removal of genital warts does not guarantee a complete recovery, the disease can recur when the body's defenses are weakened.

• Essence of pathology
• Causes of formations
• Mechanism of infection
• Symptomatic manifestations
• Diagnostic measures
• Possible Complications
• How is the treatment carried out
  • Chemical processing
  • Surgery
• Preventive actions

Genital warts or genital warts is an infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) that affects the skin and mucous membranes. This disease is called condylomatosis and is a manifestation of PVI - human papillomavirus infection.

Essence of pathology

HPV infection is characterized by a long chronic course, with relapses, a high level of contagiousness, especially during an exacerbation of the pathology. This is the reason for its wide distribution. Recently, condylomatosis is a new disease, predominantly sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), because the sexual route of transmission prevails - more than 50%. It is widespread, it has no sexual gradation, but it occurs a little more often in women. It mainly affects girls who have an active sex life.

When infected, genital warts, condylomas appear on the skin. There are more than 100 species of pathogen serotypes, but not all of them are oncogenic. A skin wart is usually benign. Urogenital condylomatosis is most often caused by serotypes 6 and 11, and strains 13, 18, 16, 31 and 33 have additional oncogenicity (they cause genital warts less often, but they are no less dangerous).

What do genital warts look like? With the localization of the virus, growths form on the skin, usually flesh-colored, less often pink and even red. Outwardly, they resemble cauliflower or a cockscomb: upon close examination, they are papillary, have a thin stem, are soft and mobile. Their colonies grow rapidly and merge with each other. They are of unequal size, from 1–2 to 5–6 mm. To the touch painless, do not cause discomfort. Condylomas often grow in the anogenital zone: in women, genital warts of the vulva occur, in men, on the head of the penis and around the anus. During oral sex, the mucous membranes of the cheeks, mouth, even lips are affected.

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Causes of formations

The causes of condylomatosis are HPV infection, although contact with the virus may not necessarily result in infection, this requires reduced immunity and trauma during sexual contact. The weakened resistance of the body in this case is the trigger. Predisposing factors:

The vertical route of transmission from mother to child during pregnancy or childbirth is not excluded, while the child is diagnosed with papillomatosis of the larynx.

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Mechanism of infection

When infected, you can get several types of HPV as a reward at once. Usually, the virus is transmitted from exfoliating skin particles with genital warts during sexual intercourse. When genital warts occur in women, the reasons may even be that during menstruation, when using tampons, the virus enters the vagina. It begins to multiply in the body of a new host after 24 hours. It settles in epithelial cells, especially at the point of transition of the stratified squamous epithelium into a cylindrical one, i.e., at the border of the skin and mucous membrane.

For a long time, the pathology does not manifest itself in any way - this is a latent period. But even in this case, a person is dangerous: genital warts are not yet visible, but there are already altered cells, that is, upon contact with the skin of another person, the virus gets to him. In an infected cell, the virus can be located, if it is benign, outside the chromosomes, that is, episomal. If it is malignant, then it is integrated into the cell genome, that is, inside the chromosome - this is an introsomal location. The episomal form occurs in the latent state of the disease, when there are no pathological changes in cells and associated symptoms.

For signs to appear, the concentration of the virus must increase significantly. It is activated when the host's immunity decreases: it is integrated into the cell genome and causes its uncontrolled division. At the same time, the area of ​​the skin, mucous membrane and the formation of the so-called cauliflower grow. The growths pierce the epidermis of the skin and come out. They appear in dozens at once. Genital condylomatosis is characterized by a one-time exit of genital warts, less often the process takes several days. Merging of elements often occurs when diabetes or HIV.

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Symptomatic manifestations

The source of infection is a sick person. In most cases, the course is asymptomatic, many are carriers of the virus, but their contagiousness remains. The incubation period ranges from several months to several years, more often in 65% of patients - 3 months. Condylomas are not easy to cause discomfort, they can be injured, bleed, become infected and inflamed, malignant. At the same time, it appears bad smell, discharge, itching and pain. After that, they heal badly. As they grow, they interfere with sex.

Common symptoms of HPV infection:

• fatigue;
• weakness;
• headache;
• irritability;
• constant feeling of fatigue;
• the temperature may rise, there is a chill.

Condylomas are small at first, like rashes of nodules. These elements look like papules (cavityless formations). The skin around them is reddened, with slight itching. Typical localization sites in women: labia, clitoris, vulva, perineum. Genital warts in men are often formed on the penis or foreskin. In a few hours, the formations reach a size of 2 to 5 mm. Further, warty growths can increase even more to 1.5–6 cm. New bubbles appear nearby.

Symptoms in women:

• a feeling of discomfort and a foreign body in the place of genital warts;
• a feeling of constantly remaining moisture in the area of ​​\u200b\u200brashes;
• quite persistent unpleasant odor;
• irritation on contact with linen;
• soreness in the lower abdomen;
• growths interfere during hygiene procedures, degrade the quality of sex.

In men, genital warts have the following symptoms:

• discomfort that increases with walking and physical exertion;
• slight pain in the lower abdomen;
• soreness during sex;
• pain when urinating;
• if the condyloma is around the sphincter, blood may appear in the stool.

When injured with genital warts, they bleed, itch, and hurt. One of the options for the course of the disease in men is the independent disappearance of genital warts.

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Diagnostic measures

In some cases, even the patient himself can suggest a diagnosis: the presence of a characteristic cauliflower, sexual contact 2-3 months before. You can make a test with acetic acid - moisten a cotton pad with 3% acetic acid, apply it for 5 minutes to the formation, if it turns white, then this is condyloma.

Medical diagnostics:

1. Complaints of the patient and the collection of anamnesis - determining the time when unprotected sexual contact occurred.
2. Gynecological examination.
3. For women - a clinical examination and mandatory examination of the cervix by colposcopy.
4. With extended colposcopy, the walls of the vagina are additionally treated with acetic acid or Lugol's solution.
5. Taking a smear for cytology and conducting a cytology smear according to Papanicolaou (PAP smear). In the presence of typical genital warts, it is not necessary to determine the strain of the virus, the treatment is similar.
6. Histological examination by biopsy - sampling of a piece of warts.
7. Anoscopy - examination of the anus under a microscope.
8. PCR diagnostics - it can be used to find out the type of virus and its amount, the presence of antibodies to HPV in the blood.
9. It is advisable to get tested for other STDs, as they often coexist.
10. Genital warts in men include some additional research methods - examination of places of probable localization: oral cavity, anus, penis, frenulum, scrotum; performing ureteroscopy.

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Possible Complications

Among the complications of the disease, the following can be distinguished:

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How is the treatment carried out

Treatment methods for women and men are no different. The goal of therapy is to increase immunity, antiviral general and local therapy. It is necessary to treat and remove condylomas by all means at any stage and always. The virus cannot be destroyed, but it is quite possible to slow down its reproduction. Apply conservative and surgical treatment of genital warts and chemical treatment.

From modern drugs:

Therapeutic treatment of genital warts only complements the surgical one, so that there are no relapses after removal.

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Chemical processing

For small rashes, a chemical method of treating warts is used, but it should only be carried out by a doctor, since healthy tissues can be touched or cause burns. Recommended tools include the following:

When cauterized, the growths of condylomas die and fall off, in their place there is a small wound that heals quickly.

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Surgery

Treatment of genital warts in women is no different from that in men. Surgical methods allow you to get rid of warts for 1 time. These include: laser removal, cryodestruction, electrocoagulation. The technique of any technique is the same: local anesthesia of the lesion is performed, excess tissue is removed, and a sterile bandage is applied.

After cryodestruction with liquid nitrogen, a small area of ​​necrosis remains, the laser leaves a burn. The most physiological method is the removal of genital warts with a radio wave scalpel. It leaves a very neat scab, the wound heals by first intention. Thermocoagulation - burning warts with high temperature - is a fairly effective method, after burning a scab is formed, under which healthy skin grows.

The Surgitron apparatus is also used. Removal acute warts produced by high frequency radio waves. The method is similar to a laser, it does not give complications. With any method of treatment, relapses occur in 30% of cases, therefore, after the operation, general strengthening and antiviral treatment is prescribed.

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Preventive actions

Prevention is divided into general and specific. In 1 case it is recommended:

During pregnancy, be sure to be under the supervision of an obstetrician-gynecologist. With regard to condoms, you should be aware that they will not provide 100% protection: upon contact of the labia and scrotum, the virus can definitely be infected. In rare cases, HPV can occur in virgins. This is due to the fact that viruses outside the body retain their viability for some time and it is possible to become infected by household means, although it is unlikely. For men and women, visits to doctors every six months for preventive examinations remain relevant. Self-medication at home is excluded.

Specific prevention is vaccination against HPV, which will also protect against cervical cancer. Today it is the only one effective method prevention of cervical cancer. Vaccination is carried out for girls from 11–12 years old, three times, with 2 types of vaccines from 2 well-known manufacturers: Gardasil and Cervarix. They reliably protect against HPV 6 and 11 strains, which are the culprits of genital warts in women. The term of their effective protection is more than 5 years.

Comments

Megan92 () 2 weeks ago

And did anyone manage to get rid of armpit papillomas? They really bother me a lot, especially when you're sweating.

Daria () 2 weeks ago

I have already tried so many things and only after reading this article, I was able to get rid of armpit papillomas (and very budgetary).

P.S. Only now I myself am from the city and we did not find it for sale, I ordered it via the Internet.

Megan92 () 13 days ago

Daria () 12 days ago

megan92, so I wrote in my first comment) I will duplicate it just in case - link to article.

Sonya 10 days ago

Isn't this a divorce? Why sell online?

Yulek26 (Tver) 10 days ago

Sonya, what country do you live in? They sell on the Internet, because shops and pharmacies set their markup brutal. In addition, payment is only after receipt, that is, they first looked, checked and only then paid. And now everything is sold on the Internet - from clothes to TVs and furniture.

Editorial response 10 days ago

Sonya, hello. This drug for the treatment of papillomavirus infection is really not sold through the pharmacy network and retail stores in order to avoid overpricing. Currently, you can only order official website. Be healthy!

Sonya 10 days ago

Sorry, I didn't notice at first the information about the cash on delivery. Then everything is in order for sure, if the payment is upon receipt.

Margo (Ulyanovsk) 8 days ago

Has anyone tried folk methods to get rid of warts and papillomas?

Andrew a week ago

I tried to burn a wart on my head with vinegar. The wart really disappeared, only in its place there was such a burn that the finger hurt for another month. And the most annoying thing is that after a month and a half, two more warts popped up nearby ((

Genital warts are nothing more than bodily outgrowths or warts, which, as a rule, form in the area of ​​​​the external genitalia and anus. Condylomatosis is an inflammatory disease that very often develops in women.

The culprit is the notorious human papillomavirus. When warts appear, their intensive growth and spread cannot be delayed, you should consult a specialist, because this disease may in the future become the initiator of cervical cancer.

Causes

Why do genital warts appear, and what is it? The causative agent - DNA-containing, or warts - HPV, belongs to the genus of papillomaviruses. ‘

According to various sources, from 15 to 30% of women are asymptomatic carriers, and in one organism there may be not one, but several viral strains at once. The virus can stay in the body for a long time without manifesting itself clinically, and only as a result of exposure to predisposing factors, it becomes activated.

In total, there are 2 types of genital warts that can appear in a woman:

1. Flat . Most often they are located on the cervix, are practically invisible to the eye and are detected only by special techniques. Therein lies their danger. If not removed in time, such condylomas can cause cervical cancer.
2. Pointed. They are found in women on the mucosa of the large and small labia, around the clitoris, the entrance to the urethra and around the anus. Genital warts in women can also be localized on the walls of the vagina or urethra, as well as on the skin of the thighs, buttocks and inguinal regions. The same form have and condylomas of the rectum.

Papillomavirus infection in the case of the development of genital warts is transmitted sexually (hetero- and homosexual contacts, oral and anal intercourse). You can become infected with warts and when using shared towels, linen and other things, that is, in a domestic way. Although this mode of transmission is considered doubtful by some researchers.

Predisposing factors to the formation of growths on the skin and mucous membranes are the following conditions:

• neglect of the rules of personal hygiene;
• trauma to the skin and mucous membranes;
• nervous strain, accompanied by stress;
• bad habits;
• regular lack of sleep/malnutrition;
• hormonal changes;
• freezing or overheating of the body;
• pregnancy, as a condition in which the immune system is suppressed.

People with strong immunity they can carry the virus all their lives, but never get sick. However, if growths on the skin and mucous membranes nevertheless appear, the woman should understand that they will not disappear on their own, which means that they should seek medical help as soon as possible. Treatment of genital warts should primarily be directed not to the removal of the growths themselves, but to the cause of their appearance, that is, to the human papillomavirus.

Symptoms

If a woman has genital warts, the very first symptoms are the appearance of small, up to several millimeters, formations in typical places in the anogenital region (see photo).

Such neoplasms accompanied by the following symptoms:

• burning, itching;
• sensation of a foreign object in the affected area;
• in the area of ​​condyloma there is a constant feeling of moisture;
• the appearance of a persistent fetid odor;
• sometimes painful symptoms and spotting may appear if the integrity of the condylomas is violated.

Condylomas are most often located in the labia, urethra, vagina, cervix, anus and perineum. Very rarely they appear in the throat and oral cavity, on the wall of the urethra.

The incubation period, that is, the period of time from the moment of infection to the onset of the first manifestations, is different, from several months to several years and depends on the condition immune system organism. As soon as defensive forces women are weakened, then HPV is activated, "drills" the surface layer of the epithelium - the epidermis and comes out in the form of condyloma.

Genital warts reaches its full size in just a few hours - from 2 to 6 mm. With excessive development of neoplasm tissues, sometimes there is a lack of nutrition and then the condyloma disappears on its own. As a rule, several genital warts appear at once, in some cases their number is several dozen. Rarely, condylomas appear within a few days.

In addition to physical discomfort, genital warts give a woman a lot of psychological problems giving her an inferiority complex. Especially when they cause rejection and disgust in a partner. Growing, neoplasms interfere with sexual intercourse, they can be injured and bleed. All this makes a woman give up sexual life and creates an unfavorable situation in the family.

Condylomas in women: photo

To understand what flat or genital warts look like in women, we offer detailed photos for viewing.

As you can see, neoplasms have different sizes and shapes. Genital warts look like papillae on a thinner stalk, merging with each other, they become like a rooster's comb or cauliflower. Flat warts are in the form of beds, they are more difficult to detect without the use of special diagnostics if they are located on the cervix.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of the disease in a woman is quite simple. After a thorough history and complaints, the doctor examines the anogenital region, the vaginal mucosa and cervix. If the diagnosis leaves no doubt, then a colposcopy is performed to detect flat condyloma, and even cervical cancer.

To clarify the diagnosis, testing for the presence of the human papillomavirus is carried out. This method is called PCR. Its results give the doctor the opportunity to understand how the disease enters the patient's body and obtain quantitative characteristics, determine the type of microorganism that caused the disease. There are 8 main types of HPV that can cause warts.

During pregnancy

In pregnant women infected with the papillomavirus, neoplasms often reach large sizes, grow, and become loose. This is explained by a change in the hormonal background, increased blood circulation in the tissues, and a change in the environment of the vagina.

Papillomavirus infection poses a danger to the fetus, since infection of the child during childbirth can occur. Therefore, before planning a pregnancy, doctors recommend doing an HPV test.

Treatment of genital warts in women

Despite the painlessness of genital warts, in general they are very unpleasant in appearance and interfere with a full intimate life. Therefore, when growths appear in the perineal region, it is better to undergo treatment, because it is possible to get rid of them through hardware exposure.

The list of the most effective and widely used treatments for warts includes:

1. Thermocoagulation. It involves burning condylomas, which die and collapse due to high temperature. During the procedure, the patient feels pain, so it is always performed under local anesthesia. From the growth, a scab first forms, and then healthy tissue grows under it. This operation requires a coagulator and special equipment. This method is quite efficient.
2. Cryodestruction. The essence of this method is the destruction of tissues damaged by warts with liquid nitrogen.
3. Laser destruction. The method consists in the destruction of the neoplasm by exposing it to a surgical laser.
4. Radiosurgical method. Condylomas are destroyed by a narrowly directed high-frequency radio wave. This method is very effective and safe. On the affected area after this procedure, there is a clean skin without any scars, and the complete healing of tissues practically occurs within 24 hours.
5. Chemolysis. Often, during the chemical burning of genital warts, agents are used, the active substance of which is nitric acid.

Modern medicine has not developed this moment a method that will completely destroy HPV. Treatment is based on alleviating the patient's condition (by removing genital warts) and increasing the time interval between relapses. The virus persists around the site of neoplasms on apparently healthy skin, so relapses are usually associated with the activation of the virus and its reproduction.

Conservative treatment

The use of drugs for the treatment of genital warts is possible with their small size. The treatment is carried out by the patient on her own at home, but an examination and consultation of a gynecologist before it starts is mandatory.

1. Imiquimod (Aldara cream 4000 RUB, Keravort 2000 RUB) is a prescription drug for external use in the treatment of external genital warts in the perianal and genital area (for people over 12 years old). The course of treatment is long side effects at the site of application: erosion, swelling, itching, burning, redness, scab formation, fluid discharge. Imiquimod should be used every other day (3 times/week), removing with soap and water 10 hours after application.
2. Podophyllotoxin, Condiline Nycomed- they are applied twice a day with a special applicator attached to the preparation. Between applications, it is important to maintain a 12-hour interval. After a 3-day treatment, they take a break for four days and continue treatment until the warts are completely eliminated. Due to the toxicity of the drug, the treated area should be minimal (max. 10 cm2).

Conservative therapy of condylomatosis involves the use of pharmaceutical agents that cause necrotic changes in tissues. The choice of method of treatment in each case is determined only by a specialist.