Genital warts, technically called condyloma acuminata or venereal warts, are lesions on the skin produced by the HPV virus, which can be transmitted during unprotected sex.
Thus, warts can appear in both men and women, in the places that came into contact with the virus, the most affected ones being usually the head of the penis, the scrotum, the vaginal lips and the region around the anus, for example.
Often, warts only appear several days or months after the transmission of the disease, as the virus has a very long incubation time. Thus, even if there are no symptoms, it is possible to have the HPV virus in the body, so you should always use a condom during sex, especially with new partners.
Characteristics of genital warts
Genital warts are similar to small corns that grow on the skin, with a surface that resembles broccoli or cauliflower, for example. In addition, it is also common for them to have a darker spot in the center.
Although it is rare, along with warts other symptoms can also appear, such as:
- Itching or slight discomfort in the affected region; Light tingling sensation; Bleeding during sexual intercourse;
Warts can be small or large, skin-colored, pinkish or brownish, rough or rough to the touch, and may look like cauliflower or crest of a cock. In some cases, warts can develop very close together, causing a larger lesion.
In more rare cases, infection in addition to warts can still result in the development of cancer, especially cancer of the cervix or anus, as some types of the virus cause this type of sequelae.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The best way to confirm that these are genital warts is to consult a gynecologist, in the case of women, or a urologist, in the case of men. In these cases, the doctor, in addition to assessing skin lesions and other symptoms, may also ask several questions that help to classify the risk of actually having an HPV infection, such as whether you have had unprotected relationships or if you have more than a sexual partner, for example.
In addition, as some warts can be very small and cause difficulty in observing with the naked eye, the doctor may also need to do other tests such as pap smears, in women, or peniscopy, in men. See what other diseases can be identified with the pap smear and how peniscopy is done.
How to get HPV
The development of genital warts occurs when the HPV virus manages to enter the body. This usually happens when you have an unprotected relationship with someone infected with the virus, due to direct contact with the warts.
However, this does not mean that the fact that warts are not observed, that it is not possible to pass the virus, since some can be very small and difficult to observe with the naked eye.
Thus, the best recommendation is to always use a condom during intercourse. And, in cases, of people with warts, the condom must fully cover all warts. See more tips on how to prevent transmission of HPV.
How to treat
Treatment for genital warts is usually done with the use of creams and ointments, however, in some cases the doctor may indicate removal of the warts with laser, cryotherapy with nitrogen or undergoing surgery.
The full treatment time can take up to 2 years and sometimes after treatment the lesions on the genital organs reappear. See all treatment options and how they are made.
