Vaginal warts are very contagious. In fact, HPV is the most common STD worldwide. Vaginal warts will fluctuate in appearance, but often appear reminiscent of tiny pink or red lumps, or appear like white or flesh tinted lesions, that may be flat or raised. Vaginal warts are caused by the HPV virus, which affects a huge number of people There are at least one hundred different strains of HPV, and around thirty of them are passed on by sexual contact.
Although vaginal warts are exceptionally contagious, the majority of people don't even realise that they have the HPV virus. If you do suspect that you could be infected with the HPV virus, or are showing signs of vaginal warts, then it is very important that you get your vaginal warts dealt with as soon as you become aware that you have any signs or symptoms. Typical symptoms may include itchiness or general discomfort and/or irritation. Sometimes, warts can grow so big that they become exceptionally uncomfortable, even obstructing things like the urethra, which makes urination difficult. If you've got vaginal warts then do not rub or pick at your warts, since the virus may well be passed to other regions of the skin.
Who are the people that are at the greatest risk? Genital warts are most widespread in sexually active people between 17 and 33 years old, although genital warts can also be found in young children.
Care should be taken during pregnancy as giving birth may result in warts on the throat and mouth of the new born infant. However, as a rule women who had genital warts, but don't have them any more, do not have difficulties in the course of pregnancy or birth.
How is the HPV virus spread? If you regularly engage in oral sex, vaginal or even anal sex, you can be susceptible to catching this STD. By and large, the only way most women know that they have been exposed to HPV is when they discover they have genital warts, or it shows up as a result of their Pap Smear.
Medical interventions for vaginal warts can consist of laser therapy, cryotherapy, or electrocautery.
Cryotherapy is when the doctor freezes the warts using liquid nitrogen. This is to trigger a blister close to your wart. Next, as the skin heals, the warts start to break off, allowing the creation of new skin.
With electrocautery a doctor employs an electrical current to burn away the wart. Excision is akin to ordinary surgical procedure where the doctor will use surgical instruments to slice away the warts. And, just like other surgeries, anesthesia will also be administered.
Laser surgery is normally kept back for exceptionally tough to treat and extensive warts, and is usually very pricey.
It's important to bear in mind that even after the genital warts disappear, the HPV virus is still present, though it may well not spread so easily.
To find out more about gential warts and how to get effective treatment visit the Vaginal Warts web site.