What are genital warts?
Genital warts are small pieces of flesh that grow around the genitals and anus. Warts can range in size from a few millimeters to several centimeters above the surface. The larger ones look like cauliflower.
What causes genital warts?
Warts are caused by the HPV virus. There are many types of HPV virus, especially types 6 and 11 cause warts. The wart virus is transmitted through sexual intercourse. Rarely, it can also be transmitted through underwear and the toilet.
What is the course of warts?
HPV does not cause warts in every woman it infects. And when it does, it does not occur with the same prevalence and severity in every woman. The success of the immune system determines the degree of the disease. In some patients, the virus is cleared quickly and the disease is not very common. Treatment should be timed for patients with warts. After HPV starts to cause warts, it enters a period of rapid division. At this stage, the number of warts increases rapidly. If surgical treatment is to be applied, the rapid multiplication period should be expected to end.
How are warts treated?
Medication and surgery can be used to treat warts. Medicines are usually in the form of creams or solutions. They are applied on the warts to stop cell proliferation. These creams are not used during pregnancy. When solutions are applied to warts, they destroy the lesions by cauterizing them. For large warts, the wart is removed by electrocautery or cutting. Electrocautery is a device that burns tissue with electricity. In cutting treatment, the wart is removed with scissors or a scalpel. Regardless of the treatment, warts are likely to recur.
The choice of treatment depends on the patient’s wishes and the experience of the doctor. Doctors who are closely interested in warts and the HPV virus can be more helpful in this regard.