HPV

What Is HPV and How Is It Treated?

HPV or Human Papillomavirus, which has more than 200 types in nature, can cause warts in any part of the body. Of these, 40 cause genital warts. The types that cause the most warts are HPV 6 and HPV 11. However, these HPV types do not cause cancer.

Genital warts caused by some varieties can be transmitted sexually and can be seen in both men and women. Genital warts, also called condylomata, can appear on the vulva, vagina, penis, scrotum, anus, or groin area. The virus can sometimes be transmitted outside of sexual contact.

Although there are no visible genital warts physically, contact of hpv infected skin to the genital area is sufficient for the virus to be transmitted. After being infected with HPV, it can remain silent in the body for many years and does not cause genital warts in everyone.

In many people, HPV is neutralized by the body’s defense system. After being infected, warts may appear several months or years later. During this period, the person becomes a carrier and can transmit the disease to others.

We are often faced with the question of whether genital warts cause cancer. While some HPV viruses cause cervical cancer (cervical cancer), some types cause genital warts. Condyloma is not a dangerous disease, it can be treated. Unfortunately, the HPV virus that infects the body stays in that body for life. If the person’s immune system is strong, it keeps the virus under control.

What are the Symptoms of Genital Warts?

Genital warts are small, light or dark brown bumps that do not show symptoms, and sometimes they are just spots. The symptoms of genital warts generally appear as follows.

It usually appears as skin-colored lesions that are raised from the skin in the genital area.

As it can be seen alone, sometimes there may be cauliflower-like bumps, especially in people with a low immune system.

Warts are sometimes thought to be flesh-me-nots or not noticed at all.

Although rare, itching in the genital area and bleeding during intercourse are among the symptoms of genital warts. 

What Causes Genital Warts (Condyloma)?

Although genital warts are not visible, contact of HPV-infected skin to the genital area is sufficient for the virus to be transmitted.

There are various risk factors for genital warts, which are almost always sexually transmitted.

The most important risk factor is polygamy.

• Unprotected sex with multiple partners
• Having another sexually transmitted infection.
• Starting a sexual life at a young age
• Risk increases if there is another disease that weakens immunity

Condyloma Symptoms?

Genital warts in men are manifested by the presence of visible warts. Warts can appear on the penis, scrotum, or groin area. Condyloma symptoms in women may differ according to the regions where the virus is located. If it settles on the skin, puffiness and cauliflower appearance may occur. Some redness and changes in the cervix can be considered as genital wart symptoms.

How Are Genital Warts Transmitted?

Condyloma is usually transmitted by sexual contact. HPV can also be transmitted by skin contact in the genital area that the condom does not cover during sexual intercourse. In order for it to be transmitted, the virus in the carrier must be active, even if the warts are not visible at that time. The contact of HPV-infected skin to the genital area is sufficient for the virus to be transmitted.

After being infected with HPV, it can remain silent in the body for many years and does not cause genital warts in everyone. After infection, warts may appear several months or years later. During this period, the person becomes a carrier and can transmit the disease to others. It is not possible to determine from which partner the genital warts are transmitted and how long the virus has been in the body.

Take precautions

The common measure to be taken for condyloma in women or men is monogamy. The use of barrier systems during intercourse can also be considered a precaution, but it is not very effective. For example, even if condoms are used, the protection feature of such barrier systems is minimal, since virus secretions may touch the groin or ovaries.

The most important measure that can be taken for genital warts in women is the HPV vaccine. This vaccine is actually made for HPV types that cause cervical cancer, not genital warts. If you want to learn more about ways of protection, you can read our article on ways to protect against HPV, if you want to learn more about the vaccine, you can read our article on HPV vaccine.

Genital Wart Treatment (Condyloma Treatment)

There is no treatment method that will end the HPV virus in both men and women. If the virus is transmitted to the body once, that person continues his life as a lifelong HPV carrier. Treatment methods are applied to destroy the genital wart lesion. These warts may reappear after treatment. As the immune system of the body is strong, the probability of recurrence decreases.

In women

Condyloma treatment in women can be done with different methods according to the lesions. Sometimes it can go away on its own. Freezing can be done. This procedure gives positive results on smaller warts and is painless. A number of chemical drugs, such as trichloroacetic acid, may be used. Incineration is one of the most common methods. Laser treatment can be performed on large warts. A smear test should be performed to investigate the presence of HPV involvement in the cervix.

In men

Burning is performed in men. Although the process of burning the warts varies according to the size and prevalence of the wart, it can be performed under general or local anesthesia.

Before starting the treatment, you should consult your doctor and decide on the treatment method together with your doctor.

HPV Treatment Prices 2024

It is not legal for centers approved by the Ministry of Health to indicate prices on their websites. For this reason, you can get information about “HPV” prices by calling our clinic on 0(212) 225 08 00.

DERMAL CLINIC INSTAGRAM

You can follow us on Instagram.