Genital warts

Genital warts

overview

Genital warts are one of the most common types of sexually transmitted infections. Nearly all sexually active people will become infected with at least one type of human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes genital warts, at some point in their lives.

Genital warts affect the moist tissue of the genital area. They may look like small, flesh-colored bumps or have a cauliflower-like appearance. In many cases, the warts are too small to be visible.

Some genital HPV strains can cause genital warts, while others can cause cancer. Vaccines can help protect against certain genital strains of HPV.

Symptoms

Female genital warts

Female genital warts

Genital warts are a common sexually transmitted infection. They can occur on the genitals, pubic area, or anal canal. In women, genital warts can also grow in the vagina.

Male genital warts

Male genital warts

Genital warts are a common sexually transmitted infection. They can occur on the genitals, pubic area, or anal canal.

In women, genital warts can grow on the vulva, vaginal walls, the area between the external genitals and the anus, the anal canal, and the cervix. In men, they can occur on the tip or shaft of the penis, the scrotum, or the anus.

Genital warts can also develop in the mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sexual contact with an infected person.

Signs and symptoms of genital warts include:

• Kleine, fleischfarbene, braune oder rosafarbene Schwellungen im Genitalbereich
• Eine blumenkohlähnliche Form, die durch mehrere eng beieinander liegende Warzen verursacht wird
• Juckreiz oder Unbehagen im Genitalbereich
• Blutungen beim Geschlechtsverkehr

Genital warts can be so small and flat that they are invisible. However, in rare cases, genital warts can grow into large clusters in someone with a suppressed immune system.

When to go to the doctor?

See a doctor if you or your partner develops bumps or warts in the genital area.

Causes

The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes warts. There are more than 40 strains of HPV that affect the genital area.

Genital warts are almost always transmitted through sexual contact. Your warts do not have to be visible for you to pass the infection to your sexual partner.

Risk factors

Most people who are sexually active will become infected with genital HPV at some point. Factors that may increase your risk of infection include:

• Ungeschützten Sex mit mehreren Partnern haben
• Eine andere sexuell übertragbare Infektion gehabt haben
• Sex mit einem Partner haben, dessen Sexualgeschichte Sie nicht kennen
• In jungen Jahren sexuell aktiv werden
• Ein geschwächtes Immunsystem haben, z. B. durch HIV oder Medikamente durch eine Organtransplantation

Complications

Complications of an HPV infection can include:

• Cancer.Cervical cancer has been closely linked to genital HPV infection. Certain types of HPV are also associated with vulvar, anus, penile, mouth and throat cancers.

  HPV infection does not always lead to cancer, but it is important for women to have regular Pap tests, especially those who have been infected with higher-risk HPV types.

• Problems during pregnancy.In rare cases, warts can enlarge during pregnancy and make urination difficult. Warts on the vaginal wall can inhibit the stretching of vaginal tissue during childbirth. Large warts on the vulva or in the vagina may bleed if they are stretched during childbirth.

  Extremely rarely, a baby born to a mother with genital warts will develop warts in the throat. The baby may need surgery to prevent the airway from becoming blocked.

prevention

Limiting the number of sexual partners you have and getting vaccinated can help prevent you from getting genital warts. Using a condom every time you have sex is a good idea, but it doesn't necessarily protect you from genital warts.

Vaccination

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine HPV vaccination for girls and boys ages 11 and 12, although it can be given as early as age 9.

It is ideal for girls and boys to receive the vaccine before having sexual contact.

Side effects of the vaccines are usually mild and include pain at the injection site, headache, mild fever or flu-like symptoms.

The CDC now recommends that all 11- and 12-year-olds receive two doses of the HPV vaccine at least six months apart, instead of the previously recommended three-dose schedule. Younger adolescents aged 9 and 10 and teenagers aged 13 and 14 can also be vaccinated using the updated two-dose vaccination schedule. Research has shown that the two-dose regimen is effective for children under 15 years of age.

Adolescents and young adults who start the vaccination series later, aged 15 to 26, should continue to receive three doses of the vaccine.

The CDC now recommends catch-up HPV vaccinations for anyone up to age 26 who is not adequately vaccinated.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved the use of Gardasil 9 for men and women ages 9 to 45. If you are between 27 and 45 years old, discuss with your doctor whether he or she recommends the HPV vaccination.

Sources:

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