Noticed small bumps, growths, or cauliflower-like lesions around the vagina, vulva, penis or anus? They may be genital warts, which are usually caused by low-risk types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
First: Don’t panic
Genital warts are common and treatable. The HPV types that usually cause visible genital warts are generally different from the high-risk HPV types most strongly associated with cervical cancer.
What should you do?
1. Get the diagnosis confirmed
Not every genital bump is an HPV wart. A gynaecologist can usually diagnose it by examination.
A biopsy may be considered if the lesion is:
* Unusual or pigmented
* Hard or ulcerated
* Bleeding
* Rapidly growing
* Not responding to treatment
2. Treat the visible warts if needed
Depending on their size, number and location, options include:
* Cryotherapy
* TCA application
* Imiquimod for selected external warts
* Excision, electrocautery or laser for larger or persistent lesions
⚠️ Do not use ordinary wart-removal medicines or acids at home on genital skin.
3. Check whether cervical screening is due
Having genital warts does not automatically mean you have cervical cancer. However, women should remain up to date with appropriate Pap smear-HPV screening according to their age and previous results.
4. Consider HPV vaccination
Even if you have already acquired one HPV type, vaccination can still provide protection against other HPV types for which you have not been exposed, depending on age and individual circumstances.
What is the risk?
Most genital warts are not dangerous, but HPV can be transmitted through intimate skin to skin sexual contact, even when warts are not obvious.
Possible concerns include:
* Recurrence after treatment
* Transmission to a partner
* Warts becoming larger or more numerous
* Co-existing HPV infection with another HPV type
Genital warts themselves are usually not cancerous.
🤰 What if you are pregnant?
Don’t self-treat. Some wart medications, particularly podophyllotoxin-podofilox and podophyllin, should be avoided during pregnancy. Your doctor can choose an appropriate treatment such as clinician-applied therapy when necessary.
❤️ One important message
HPV does not prove recent sexual activity or infidelity. HPV can remain dormant for a long time, so it is often impossible to determine when or from whom it was acquired.
When should you see a doctor promptly?
Seek examination for any genital lesion that is rapidly growing, bleeding, ulcerated, very painful, unusually hard or pigmented, or associated with enlarged groin lymph nodes.
Confidential genital wart assessment + wart removal + HPV vaccination available in Andheri West, Mumbai.
First: Don’t panic
Genital warts are common and treatable. The HPV types that usually cause visible genital warts are generally different from the high-risk HPV types most strongly associated with cervical cancer.
What should you do?
1. Get the diagnosis confirmed
Not every genital bump is an HPV wart. A gynaecologist can usually diagnose it by examination.
A biopsy may be considered if the lesion is:
* Unusual or pigmented
* Hard or ulcerated
* Bleeding
* Rapidly growing
* Not responding to treatment
2. Treat the visible warts if needed
Depending on their size, number and location, options include:
* Cryotherapy
* TCA application
* Imiquimod for selected external warts
* Excision, electrocautery or laser for larger or persistent lesions
⚠️ Do not use ordinary wart-removal medicines or acids at home on genital skin.
3. Check whether cervical screening is due
Having genital warts does not automatically mean you have cervical cancer. However, women should remain up to date with appropriate Pap smear-HPV screening according to their age and previous results.
4. Consider HPV vaccination
Even if you have already acquired one HPV type, vaccination can still provide protection against other HPV types for which you have not been exposed, depending on age and individual circumstances.
What is the risk?
Most genital warts are not dangerous, but HPV can be transmitted through intimate skin to skin sexual contact, even when warts are not obvious.
Possible concerns include:
* Recurrence after treatment
* Transmission to a partner
* Warts becoming larger or more numerous
* Co-existing HPV infection with another HPV type
Genital warts themselves are usually not cancerous.
🤰 What if you are pregnant?
Don’t self-treat. Some wart medications, particularly podophyllotoxin-podofilox and podophyllin, should be avoided during pregnancy. Your doctor can choose an appropriate treatment such as clinician-applied therapy when necessary.
❤️ One important message
HPV does not prove recent sexual activity or infidelity. HPV can remain dormant for a long time, so it is often impossible to determine when or from whom it was acquired.
When should you see a doctor promptly?
Seek examination for any genital lesion that is rapidly growing, bleeding, ulcerated, very painful, unusually hard or pigmented, or associated with enlarged groin lymph nodes.
Confidential genital wart assessment + wart removal + HPV vaccination available in Andheri West, Mumbai.
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