Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV. The virus has over 100 types, with 40 being passed through sexual contact. Womenshealth.gov states that nearly half of sexually active people are diagnosed with HPV during their lives; although, many may not realize they are infected, because there are no signs and symptoms. Some types of HPV strains cause genital warts. Warts may not be visually noticeable, or they may grow in large, cauliflower clusters. A variety of treatment methods assist in ridding the warts from the genital area; however, there is no cure for HPV.
Cryosurgery
Warts are frozen off using a method known as cryosurgery. The warts are exposed to a probe containing liquid nitrogen. The tissue is cooled to -20 degrees Celsius and destroyed. Applications are repeated every one to two weeks. Ensure your medical provider is properly trained in the procedure, because overtreating or undertreating may result in complications or reduce effectiveness. Pain is experienced during the process, followed by necrosis of the wart and additional blistering. Local anesthesia is used if there is a large amount of warts or warts are large in size.
Excision
Doctors can remove genital warts by an excision method. They use a scalpel or other cutting instrument to cut off the wart from the genital area. The procedure is generally done as outpatient surgery. Scarring may occur after excision. Most people can resume normal activities within one to three days, and healing takes two to four weeks, depending on the number of warts removed.
Electrocautery and Laser Surgery
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), surgical methods eliminate genital warts in one office visit, though the visit may be longer in duration. Local anesthesia is applied to the area to decrease pain sensations. Electrocautery is the process of heating genital warts with electricity. A small probe with electric current running through it is used to burn the warts from the skin. Laser methods use intense beams of light to destroy the genital warts. Laser is an acronym for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.” The laser beam is so small and precise that the surrounding tissue remains undamaged.
About this Author
Freelance writer Julie Hampton has worked as an artist, writer and event planner for more than eight years. She also served in the U.S. Army as a medic and nurse specializing in geriatrics. Hampton has a degree in journalism, and studied public relations at The University of West Florida.
