Genital Warts

You've probably heard something about it? But what exactly are genital warts? If you have itching in your genital area, you may be concerned that you suffer from this condition. You can recognize genital warts by a group of pink, red, gray or white bumps with a cauliflower-like surface. They occur in the vagina, penis and anus. These warts are usually between 1 and 5 mm in size. Read more here about what genital warts are, how they arise and what you can do about them.

How do genital warts develop and are they dangerous?

Genital warts are classified as STDs, or sexually transmitted diseases. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). You may have heard this name, because there is a type of HPV that can cause cervical cancer and anal cancer. We will immediately clear up a misconception here, because genital warts are a different type of human papillomavirus. There are different types of this. Genital warts are therefore not dangerous and do not cause cancer. Most people carry this virus, but do not suffer from it and do not get warts.

What are the causes of genital warts?

The cause of genital warts is therefore infection with a human papillomavirus. This specifically concerns type 6 and type 11. This infection can be transmitted through sex, among other things. But not only that, just touching the genital area can also lead to infection. You can also contract this condition through the use of a contaminated towel or through the underwear of someone who is infected with it. If you have contracted the virus, you do not have to experience any problems immediately. The warts usually appear 1 to 8 months after you become infected. Some people don't get warts.

What helps against genital warts?

In principle, you don't need to do anything if you have genital warts, because they disappear on their own. However, this can sometimes take a long time, sometimes up to two years. They can also cause you a lot of trouble, because they can be very itchy or even painful. If you want to do something about your genital warts immediately, go to the doctor. They can prescribe medications that will make this ailment disappear more quickly. There are various creams and application fluids that you can apply to the warts. This includes the following medications:

• Imiquimod
• Camellia sinensis
• Podophyllotoxin 

There is also a vaccine against the papilloma virus, which prevents infections with this virus and can prevent genital warts.

Note: no more warts, but still a risk of infection

Have you treated genital warts with a medication prescribed by a doctor? Then the warts may disappear quickly. However, keep in mind that they can come back, because the virus lives in your body. Because the virus can still be present in your genital area, you can still infect someone else.