Genital warts or anal warts, venereal warts or anogenital warts, are contagious through sexual transmission during anal, genital, or oral sex. When one partner is infected with genital warts there is the possibility of the other partner becoming infected through direct skin contact during sex. Between 1% to 5% of those infected with genital HPV develop genital warts.

Signs and Symptoms

Genital warts typically occur in clusters and are flat or cauliflower-like shaped. Breakouts occur in both large and small masses in the penis, anus or genital area. On the woman, genital warts occur on both the inside and the outside of the vagina or on the inside or around the anus. They may also occur in the opening to the womb. In men, symptoms are less obvious, however, they will experience outbreaks on the penis and anal area. A man can also suffer from symptoms on the scrotum.

Prevention

Gardasil is a vaccine sold by Merck & Co. that protects against human papillomavirus types 11, 6, 18 and 16. In order for the vaccine to be effective, the vaccine must be given prior to exposure – preferably before the sex begins.

Management

While there is no cure for genital warts there are methods to control the outbreaks and prevent outbreaks of genital warts. Podofilox is typically the first treatment prescribed by doctors due to its low cost and convenience. It is sold as a gel or a cream and is applied by the patient to the affected area and is not washed off.

Many sufferers of genital warts also practice home remedies such as the application of green tea. However, a doctor’s advice is strongly recommended.

Genital warts affect both the skin and the mucus membranes and is a sexually transmitted disease. The disease is spread through one infected partner during anal, genital or oral sex, to another. There are over 40 types of HPV and the only means of knowing if a partner is infected is when an outbreak occurs. While there is no cure for genital warts, there are many effective treatments.

Genital Warts Treatment

Medications: There are various medications that are prescribed through doctors for treatment of genital warts such as Imiquimod, Podophyllin and Podofilox, and Trichloroacetic. Over the counter medications are not recommended as they may worsen the condition and increase the pain that is associated with the outbreaks.

Surgery: For larger warts, surgery is often necessary. Freezing with liquid nitrogen may be performed by your doctor, electrocautery, which uses electrical current to burn off the warts, surgical excision in which the doctor cuts the warts off or laser treatments are all performed.

Home remedies: While there are many home remedies such as aloe, vinegar and castor oil, little with the exception of green tea has any clinical support. With the home remedies the ointment, gel or liquid is applied directly to the outbreak. Heat lamps and blow dryers are also used to keep the area dry. When using either a heat lamp or blow dryer it should be held 18 inches away from the skin.

Prevention

One of the best treatments is prevention. Vaccination is available to prevent HPV infection. While it may not be 100% effective, it is approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and recommended for those sexually active and those with an infected partner.

While information regarding genital warts is typically directed towards the woman, as she has an increased risk of contracting cervical cancer, it is important for men to understand the risks of HPV – genital warts infection. HPV causes genital warts in men, just as women, and can increase a man’s risk of acquiring genital cancers as well.

Risks Associated with Genital Warts in Men

HPV can lead to genital cancers and of the 30 types or so that are associated with genital cancers both cancer of the penis and anus can result. According to the American Cancer Society, 1530 men were diagnosed with penis cancer in 2006 and around 1910 men were diagnosed with anal cancer.

Tests for HPV Virus

A man’s genital area is normally checked for signs of visible warts. Some doctors may use an application of a solution of vinegar to help identify the presence of warts. Pap tests are also used for gay and bi sexual men.

Treatments for HPV

While there is no cure, there are treatments. Treatments should be doctor prescribed and are typically an application of a prescribed cream by the patient. Removal of the warts may also be necessary through surgical procedure in the doctor’s office.

Preventing Transmission of Genital Warts in Men

Although the only sure prevention is abstinence, a man can lower his risk of contracting genital warts by limiting his number of sexual partners. Condoms are also a protection in transmission of the disease.

Just as women, men are vulnerable to genital wart infection. Should a man feel that he has contracted the illness, and then it is strongly recommended to seek medical advice immediately.

Although both women and men suffer from genital warts, they tend to be more severe in women. Genital warts are caused by the human papilloma virus – HPV and one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. For women, there are many symptoms associated with genital warts including the following:

Lesions: Lesions are one of the most common symptoms that women suffer from genital warts. Lesions may develop on the anus, vulva or cervix. They may be flat or a cauliflower-like shape and can outbreak in small or large masses. Outbreaks typically occur in moist areas therefore it is suggested to keep the area as dry as possible.

Bleeding: Genital warts that are located in the urethra may cause abnormal bleeding. These warts are an additional threat as they may obstruct the urethra and hinder the flow of urine. It is necessary to seek treatment promptly for bleeding warts.

Increased Vaginal Secretions: An increase in vaginal discharge is another symptom of genital warts, although unusual and may occur when the warts infect the vaginal canal.

Localized Itching: Often times, the breakout of genital warts, causes itching. This is due to a burning, painful sensation that is experienced with the outbreak.

Painful Intercourse: Painful intercourse may be experienced when warts develop in the woman’s vaginal canal which will cause both pain and discomfort during sexual intercourse. Bleeding may also result.

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that is spread through any type of sexual contact. HSV – herpes simplex virus is responsible for the spread of the disease. Those that suffer from genital herpes suffer from red, painful blisters that may occur weekly or years apart.

HSV – 1 and HSV – 2 are the two types of genital herpes that are associated with lesions. HSV – 1 is responsible for blisters in the mouth origin and HSV -s is responsible for genital sores or lesions in the area around the anus. Once a woman is exposed to HSV there is typically an incubation period that lasts from three to seven days before an outbreak of a lesion. The woman will suffer not symptoms during this time. Once the painful blisters form, they may last from seven to two weeks and the condition is contagious from the onset of itching to the healing of the ulcer.

Diagnosing Genital Herpes

Doctors will extract fluid from the blister and have the laboratory culture the virus. However, of these cultures, only 50 percent return a positive result in those infected with the virus. Blood tests are also taken that can detect the presence of antibodies of the herpes viruses to help diagnose the disease.

Treatment for Genital Herpes

While there is no cure for genital herpes there are treatments and medications. Medications are oral such as Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, and Famciclovir which will be prescribed by the doctor.

For those that are suffering from genital herpes the healing of the outbreak can also be speeded up by:

• Keeping the infected area clean and dry
• Not touching the sores
• Avoiding sex during outbreaks

Unfortunately for women, herpes outbreaks can also be triggered by their menstruation cycle, stress and minor traumas as well as colds.

Genital warts are a result of having sex with an infected partner. It is a sexually transmitted disease that can result due to anal, genital or oral sex. The disease spread through skin-to-skin contact. While there are no treatments for genital warts, there are many remedies and medications, as well as surgeries to prevent and remove the genital warts.

Genital warts occur in breakouts in the genital and anal area. They can affect men on the penis as well as the anus and women in the anus, vulva or cervix. The warts may be flat or raised and often appear in clusters.

How to Get Rid of Genital Warts

Surgery: Surgery is often performed on large warts. Large warts are harder to heal and often times the patients doctor will perform freezing, electrocautery, surgical excision or laser treatments to remove the warts.

Medications: While there are many medications that the doctor will prescribe to remove warts, over-the-counter medications are not recommended as they often worsen the condition and cause an increase in pain.

Other Methods to Get Rid of Genital Warts

Aloe Vera: The application of aloe vera to the infected area will help to reduce the discomfort that is associated with the outbreak. Used as a cream this will help counteract the itching sensation that is experienced.

Vitamin E Oil: Mix one tablespoon of vitamin E oil and ¼ teaspoon of raw crushed garlic to and apply the mixture to the affected area and cover with adhesive tape.

Castor Oil: Mix one ounce of castor oil, one teaspoon of thuja essential oil and one teaspoon of tea tree oil along with 540 mg of vitamin E and apply with a cotton swab to the affected area three times daily.

For those that are sexually active and suffer from genital warts, treatment is mandatory. Genital warts are flat or cauliflower like shaped and occur round the cervix, anus, rectum, penis, scrotum, vagina and vulva. Many suffering from genital warts choose home treatments. However, before you begin home treatment, there are things that should be done:

• Quit Smoking
• Switch to cotton underwear
• Get plenty of rest
• Drink plenty of water
• Take a multi vitamin
• Take vitamin C supplement
• Take zinc supplement

Genital Warts Treatment at Home

Green Tea: A study by Dr. Silvia Tatti concluded that green teas been proven to eliminate warts in most cases. Green tea can be purchased in liquid form and applied directly to the affected area.

Apple Cider Vinegar: While there are no clinical studies to support that Apple Cider Vinegar is indeed a genital wart treatment, however, many people that suffer from genital warts apply apple cider vinegar with a cotton swap to the affected area and claim it works. The swap needs to be kept on the area for fifteen minutes and the process must be repeated three times daily.

Salicylic Acid: Salicylic acid has been shown to be an effective treatment for genital warts and can be purchased at both drug and grocery stores. While the product does not claim to treat genital warts it is effective.

Use a heat lamp several times a day to dry your genital area. The lamp should be held at least 18 inches from your skin. Also warm daily baths of 10 to 15 minutes are also helpful in controlling the pain associated with the outbreaks.

As with any medical condition, it is always advisable to visit a doctor frequently. Although home remedies are helpful in controlling outbreaks and healing, a doctor’s advice is also recommended.