Genital Warts, Information and Best Natural Treatment

Scientific term for genital warts: condyloma accuminata.

Milton had probably not heard of genital warts when he wrote, “Man’s first disobedience in eating the fruit of the forbidden tree had brought all our woe”. Sexually transmitted (involuntarily) from one infected sex partner to another who is blissfully unaware of its cruel manifestations, condylomas could be the starting point of much suffering from which there seems little respite. There is hope though,- read on!

Less poetically speaking, condylomas are the result of sexually transmitted human papilloma virus that appears on the penis, scrotum as well as the anal area of males. The females are also not spared. In females, it spreads through the vulva, cervix and rectum. In people practicing oral sex, warts also appear in the throat and mouth, resulting in difficulty in swallowing. Genital warts vary in color from pink to red as well as gray to white. And the size of the growths can also vary, even in the same person. Normally painless until irritated by friction or contact (as in sexual activity), genital warts are soft, flat and unevenly shaped tumor-like benign growths that increase in dimension, often multiplying into cauliflower-like clusters. Sometimes they ulcerate and bleed, producing a foul-smelling discharge.

Sadly, the appearance of genital warts can often lead to quite a few health complications – the exact nature of these complications depend on the location of these warts. The symptoms may be problems while urinating, bleeding, pain and problems in passing stool. One serious implication can be the risk of passing the virus on to the child from the pregnant woman. The most serious complication of the HPV is cervical cancer in women.

Depending on their type or mode, Genital or Anogenital warts may be located deep in the epithelium of the urethra, vagina or rectum and thus may remain confined till an isolated outbreak. And for this simple reason, more than 55% of all infected people are unaware of the fact that they have genital warts. Yes, they may be carriers of the virus, but since there is no symptom till an outbreak, they do not know that they have the disease.

Genital Warts are most commonly seen in teens and young adults, and the more sexual partners someone has, the more likely they are to contract penis warts/penile warts and vaginal warts. Unfortunately, there are often no signs or symptoms of the infection and so someone can be infected and pass on the disease without being aware that they have done so. If warts appear, they usually do so approximately two to three months after contracting the virus, and are found on the shaft or head of the penis in men, and the labiae majorae, minorae, introitus, vagina and cervix in women. Sometimes condylomas are painless which is another reason why many victims are unaware of their condition. Other times pain, itching and a burning sensation are present.

The sad news is, it is presumed that there is no permanent cure for HPV. Either the infection goes away after sometime with strengthening of the immune system. But the virus remains imbedded within the person for life. But with proper treatment, the symptoms of the disease, and also its spread can be contained and cured. Also, warts may be physically removed from time to time by surgical and non-surgical methods that include Cryotherapy, surgical removal, electrocautery and Laser removal. While Cryotherapy is a popular treatment for the removal of cervical warts, external warts that are large can be removed through surgery.

Also in practice is an injection that is applied directly to the wart – it includes a chemical that is found within the human body itself. Though various chemical gel and cream treatments are much in vogue, no sure fire mode of treatment has yet been in use till today.

Some herbs and essential oils can provide relief to people who had been suffering from the disease condition for long. And this is a great news for a disease that has been making humanity suffer for ages now.

Podophyllin or Podophyllotoxin may be applied to the warts by a doctor. This removes the smaller condylomas quite effectively.

Condylomas are the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD). It is tramsmitted to partners by sexual intercourse, intimate body contact and sharing sex toys. Visit to your doctor is strongly recommended for a test before having sex with a new partner. If you do have a HPV infection, your doctor will give you advice and suggest a course of treatment. Even when the genital warts disappear you must remember that the HPV virus is still there, though it may not spread so easily.

Use condoms to prevent the virus from spreading, and wash the genitals after intercourse. Sexual abstinence may be practiced until examination has been carried out.