What Causes Genital Warts?

While this is certainly not a topic of discussion meant for just anyone’s ears, if you suffer from genital warts, it’s a necessary one. You need to know what causes genital warts, what the symptoms are, and what possible treatments are available. Only then can you make an informed decision about how you want to deal with this disease.

HPV and Genital Warts

The Human Papilloma Virus causes genital warts. This virus is also responsible for a number of other medical conditions. There are over 100 strains of HPV, but only 30 responsible for genital warts. This condition is highly contagious and experts estimate that 60% of all diagnosed cases are contracted through sexual intercourse with someone who is infected.

The Risk Factors

There are several risk factors for this sexually transmitted disease. These include having unprotected sex, having multiple sexual partners, having sexual intercourse at a young age, and certain viral infections, such as HIV and AIDS.

The Symptoms

Most symptoms start about three months after exposure. While you may know what causes genital warts, the symptoms can vary significantly among those who are infected. Some may only get one or two cauliflower shaped lesions. Others may have numerous warts, itching, burning, or difficulty urinating. These lesions can appear on the rectum, the penile area, the vaginal area, and can be present in the mouth and throat if the disease was contracted through oral sex. Some report a general feeling of malaise, while others have no other symptoms other than the warts.

How to Cure Genital Warts

There is no cure for genital warts. There are treatment options. Some should be performed in a physician’s office, such as cryotherapy. This treatment involves freezing the warts off with liquid nitrogen. This procedure can damage the skin around the warts if it is not done properly. There are over the counter liquid nitrogen products available, but these should be avoided.

Your doctor may suggest burning the warts off as well. This is a very effective means of getting rid of the lesions, but there is no treatment that can guarantee the warts will not return. There are also several lotions and creams available – some by prescription – that have been shown to reduce the size or eliminate the lesions. The over the counter treatments usually require a daily application and it can take up to three months to see results.

Don’t be fooled by over the counter treatments that promise to cure genital warts. Only a cure for HPV will do this and one has not been discovered yet. There is promising research, however. The latest vaccine for women against HPV may eventually provide the answers for a cure.

In Closing 

It’s important to get the correct diagnosis for this disease, even though you may be reluctant and embarrassed. While abstinence is the best way to prevent the spread of genital warts, you should speak with your physician about ways to prevent the spread of the disease with your sexual partner. What causes genital warts is HPV. What causes the spread of the disease is unprotected sex, in most cases. What you need to concentrate on is finding the right treatment option for you.

What Causes Genital Warts? Tip #1

There is an HPV vaccine available for men now, but it has not been widely advertised. If your partner has genital warts, speak to your physician to see if this vaccine would provide any protection against the spread of this disease.

What Causes Genital Warts? Tip #2 

If you are pregnant and have genital warts, there is a small possibility you could pass the disease onto your baby in the birth canal. Make sure you tell your OB doctor about this disease to protect your baby.

What Causes Genital Warts Tip? #3

A condom will not always prevent the spread of this disease if there are warts on other areas of your body. Talk with your doctor about the best prevention method.