Genital Warts : Diagnosis And Treatment

People often feel embarrassed by growths in their genital area and do not see a doctor. But seeing a dermatologist can provide peace of mind because you can get a proper diagnosis and treatment.

A dermatologist can diagnose genital warts by examining the warts during an office visit. Sometimes a dermatologist will remove a wart or part of it and send it to a laboratory. This can confirm that a patient has genital warts.
Your physician will perform a physical examination of any areas where you suspect warts may be occurring. Because warts can be deep inside the body for women, your physician may need to perform a pelvic examination as well. Your doctor may apply a mild acidic solution, which helps to make the warts more visible.
A physician can also take a swab of the area to obtain cells from your cervix (Pap smear). These can then be tested for the presence of HPV. Certain types of HPV may cause abnormal results on a Pap smear, which may indicate precancerous changes. If your doctor detects these abnormalities, your doctor may suggest more frequent screenings to monitor these changes.
Your doctor will also ask questions about your health and sexual history. This includes symptoms you have experienced and any times you have engaged in unprotected sex, including oral sex.

If you are concerned you may have contracted a form of HPV known to cause cervical cancer, your physician can perform a DNA test. This determines what strain of HPV you have in your system.

Symptoms And Signs Of Genital Warts

Genital warts are not always visible to the human eye. They may be very small and flesh-colored or slightly darker. The top of the growths may resemble a cauliflower and may feel smooth or slightly bumpy to the touch.
Where you find genital warts
Genital warts can appear on the following areas of the body:
Females
Vulva (external female genitals).
Vagina.
Cervix.
Groin.
Males
Penis.
Scrotum.
Thigh.
Groin.
Females and males
In the mouth or throat after having oral sex with an infected person.
In or around the anus after anal sex with someone who has HPV.
Genital warts may also appear on the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat of a person who has had oral sexual contact with an infected person.

Even if you cannot see genital warts, they may still cause symptoms, such as vaginal discharge, itching, bleeding, or burning. If genital warts spread or become enlarged, the condition can be very painful and uncomfortable.

What Are Genital warts

Genital warts may be small, flat, flesh-colored bumps or tiny, cauliflower-like bumps.

Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are many kinds of HPV. Not all of them cause genital warts. HPV is associated with cancer of the vulva, anus and penis. However, it's important to note that HPV infection doesn't always lead to cancer.
Genital warts are warts that appear in the genital area. There can be 1 wart or a cluster of warts. People get these warts by picking up the human papillomavirus (HPV) from someone who is already infected with this virus.
HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection. It is possible to spread or get these warts even when you cannot see them.
Many people with HPV do not know they have the virus, because they do not have symptoms.
Of the 100 or so types of HPV, just a few can cause genital warts. Some HPV types can cause cervical cancer. Other types can cause anal cancer, cancer of the penis, or mouth and throat cancer. You can get more than one type of HPV.

There are many ways to treat genital warts. Since warts are often stubborn, you may need more than one visit to the dermatologist.