Genital Warts

Warts are a medical condition and a type of infection caused by viruses in the HPV family (Human Papilloma Virus) of which there are more than 100 strains. Of these, some 30 strains cause genital warts to appear on the genital and rectal areas in both males and females while genital warts can also grow on the cervix in females. Genital warts appear as bumps or growths and can be flat or have a rough cauliflower-like texture; they can be flesh-colored, pink or grey white in color. They can be single or many; they can be large or small.

Genital warts are very common in teens and young adults with the highest rates recorded in men between the ages of 20 and 24 while young and sexually active women in that age group are also at great risk. Medical statistics have shown that most women who contract HPV do so before their third experience of intercourse and in many cases, this medical infection will develop into female genital warts. Genital warts in females can pose a serious health concern as they have been linked to cervical cancer and even other types of cancer. The problem with HPV (which is a sexually transmitted disease) is that many of those infected do not display any symptoms. Pap smear tests in women will pick up the presence of HPV. At the moment it is not possible to test for this virus in men.

Genital warts treatment falls into different categories:

Firstly, you can carry out genital wart removal in the comfort and privacy of your own home:

• By using Imiquimod which is available on prescription for use at home. This treatment induces your body to produce proteins that then act against the HPV virus causing the genital warts while boosting your immune system.
• By using Podofilox lotion which is also available on prescription for home use. This treatment is applied to the genital warts for up to 4 weeks.
• By using a genital warts removal medication which is conveniently obtained by ordering on line. Such medication has proven to be very trustworthy and reliable in getting rid of genital warts safely and gently without the need for harsh acids, chemicals or steroids.

Secondly, your doctor can carry out various procedures, which may be painful and could lead to some scarring, such as:

• Cryotherapy where liquid nitrogen is used to freeze and destroy the wart tissue and can be used on both internal and external genital warts.
• Laser treatment which although more costly is very precise and can be especially useful for treating those genital warts in difficult-to-reach areas.
• Electrocautery which is where the genital warts are destroyed with heat from an electric current.
• Surgery where the genital warts are cut away while you are under either a local or general anesthetic.

While you are treating genital warts, there are other ways in which you can help to make yourself less vulnerable to the effects of carrying the HPV virus.

• Eat a healthy balanced diet with plenty of fresh, natural and unprocessed foods including leafy green vegetables, whole grains, fruit and proteins. Try to avoid sugar, white bread, white rice and animal fat.
• Take vitamin supplements especially Vitamin A, Zinc Picolinate and Vitamin C.
• Ensure sufficient daily Vitamin D by getting a few minutes of sunshine or if not possible in the winter, adding a supplement.
• Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water daily.
• Give up smoking
• Start a regime of daily exercise.
• Lower your stress levels. Discovering you have genital warts can be extremely stressful – so learn to relax and think about taking up yoga, mediation and other methods to help the relaxation process.

It is extremely important to ensure your body is as healthy as possible as some people are able to clear any infection through their body’s own immune response.