Treatment For Genital Warts

If you have visible signs of genital warts, over the counter topical treatments are not recommended. These treatments are designed for common or Plantar warts and may cause increased irritation of genital warts. Such treatments will ultimately have no effect in the removal of genital warts.

* Imiquimod cream (Aldara)

* Podofilox cream (Condylox

* Trichloroacetic acid: a form of acid that burns the wart away. This acid is applied by your health care physician and is left on for several hours before being rinsed clear.

* Efudex: a topical solution or cream that contains the key component Fluorouracil, which is an antimetabolite used in treating certain forms of cancer.

Should topical solutions fail to effectively remove the visual signs of genital warts, or for a more expeditious removal program, surgical options are available, which include Electrocautery, Laser treatment, and Cryosurgery.

* Electrocautery Treatment removes the wart by burning it off and sealing the blood vessels with an electrically charged probe. This treatment can be painful, but use of a local anesthesia, such as Novocain, may be administered.

* Laser Treatment is similar to Electrocautery except that it uses a high powered laser to burn off the wart and seal the blood vessels, reducing bleeding. Laser treatment is more expensive and is generally reserved for areas requiring extensive removal or for difficult to access areas such as the cervix.

* Cryosurgery or Cryotherapy is a treatment method that involves freezing of the infected area. By applying liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide to the area for a few seconds, the surface and subsurface of the wart is frozen. This treatment usually stings and, depending on your tolerance level, can be painful.

Another, more expensive, treatment for genital warts is via the injection of an antiviral drug known as Interferon, which is injected by needle directly into the warts.

This treatment is usually used as an alternative when genital warts have reappeared after being removed by surgery. Even after treatment by Interferon, there is no guarantee that visual genital warts will not return.

Aside from the physical ailments and treatments of genital warts, there are often psychological effects that are felt by the sufferers of genital warts. Feelings such as fear, disgust and despair are common among those who are diagnosed with genital warts.

Fear of contracting cancer from genital warts is a legitimate concern, but the chances of developing cancer from genital warts are minimum. Women should have regularly scheduled Pap smears performed to monitor the disease as a preventive measure.

Disgust is a form of self guilt that leads to feelings that people who have contracted the disease will never have another relationship again or will never feel wanted by potential lovers. This is not true, and support groups are a good way to deal with this feeling.

by: Trevor Brown

Professor Trevor Browne
http://www.mywartsguide.com