Genital Warts – Males Find It Harder To Diagnose

Firstly, what must be understood is that genital warts in males are not the actual disease, but the physical manifestation of the HPV virus. Getting the warts in the genital area means you have been infected by the HPV virus. The genital warts can vary hugely in form and appearance; they can appear as smooth, pebbly lumps or rough, fingerlike protrusions and they can appear on the penis, scrotum, rectal area and urethra. Often males overlook small genital warts as they are obscured by pubic hair and only realize much later that they have been infected once lumps appear in more exposed areas.

It is very important that men understand that any form of treatment for genital warts cannot cure the HPV virus, the goal of treatment is to try to stop the spread of the viral infection and to remove the actual genital warts. You must also realize that as long as the HPV virus is alive in your body, you can have recurring outbreaks of genital warts that will have to be treated. Also, until the virus dies, you are able to pass on this virus to your sexual partners, especially as condoms do not always cover the affected areas. There is only one way to reliably prevent the spread of the infection and that is to not have skin contact with any infected tissue.

There are several forms of treatment available to treat genital warts and not all treatments are equally successful for all cases. It may be trial and error to find the exact treatment that works the best for you. Your doctor can provide treatment in his office in the form of Cryotherapy, where the male genital warts are removed with liquid nitrogen. There is also the option of using a chemical compound called TCS [trichloracetic acid] for removal of the genital warts. Another option is electrocautery; this is where an intense laser light is used to burn away the male genital warts, but this is a costly procedure and not all doctors have this option available to patients. Whatever form of treatment your doctor decides on will depend on exactly where the genital warts are located, the number of warts to be treated and also the size of the warts.

You also have the option of using prescription treatments at home to treat your genital warts yourself. Doctors strongly advise against home treatment of genital warts for the genital area is most delicate and the harsh chemicals contained in topical creams for treatment of genital warts can damage the skin. It is understandable though that often people prefer to use home treatments where they can apply the treatment in privacy and if you decide to go ahead with home treatment, you can use creams such as Imiquimod or Podofilox.

Natural Topical Gels For Genital Warts Tried And Tested

For those who are interested in trying out a natural medicine in the form of natural topical gels there are trained alternative practitioners who understand how herbs and plants work in the body. They are aware of which of these natural remedies can be used to treat skin conditions and this includes genital warts.

Alternative health practitioners approach their patients from a holistic point of view. They believe that the patient that is suffering from genital warts is affected physically and also on a psychological level. This makes it difficult for the patient to cope. Experts in the subject of herbs often recommend natural topical gels to treat genital warts because the gels work with the defenses of the body. In this way the gels regulate many skin complaints. If you find that the gels work for you and they soothe the symptoms you experience then there is no need to go to the doctor for treatments. Many patients find these sessions embarrassing.

Grapeseed extract in the form of a light oil is being used to bring relief to sufferers of genital warts. The extract is obtained from the pulp of the red grape and can also be dried. Another is that of tree tea oil that originated in Australia. Most of these natural gels are based on their powerful anti-oxidant properties. They strengthen the immune system and make it possible for the body to fight the virus that is the root of genital warts. If you cannot find these natural gels in your nearest health store or pharmacy then you will certainly be able to order them online. You will also find all the information you need about specific natural gels on the internet.

Many of these gels will not do any damage as long as the instructions are followed to the letter. Medical practitioners are not keen for patients to go ahead and use herbal or natural remedies. It is important to check with your doctor to make sure that the gel you want to use will complement other treatments that you may be using for genital warts. It is true that doctors are also against patients using over the counter products that are made of chemicals in a attempt to get rid of genital warts. These chemicals often increase the discomfort by inflaming the skin of the genital area.

The best person to talk to regarding any kind of treatment for genital warts is your doctor. It is also a necessity that you let your partner that you have this infection. Your doctor will want to stop the spread of this virus and you will need to know how. Remember that even though the natural gels may cause the genital warts to fade it is possible for them to return in greater numbers. If you have the virus you must always be careful to check for a recurrence.

There are other symptoms besides the actual manifestation of genital warts. Even when genital warts are present they are for a time hard to notice. This is because for a long while they are very tiny. But if you are experiencing itchiness near or around the genital area or perhaps have a feeling of burning then take note. Other genital warts symptoms are felling pricking. You may also notice the appearance of blood while engaging in intercourse. There may even be some pain at this time. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms do not delay in making an appointment to see your doctor.

Genital Warts Symptoms Will Vary From Person To Person

The HPM virus is a complicated infection as it has confusing symptoms that vary so greatly, that often people do not even realize that they have been infected by this virus. The physical symptoms also vary from person to person and this further complicates identification of this viral infection. Warts may appear as defined clusters of fingerlike protrusions, they can be large or small clusters of growths and often they are tiny, flat bumps that are not easily visible and they may also appear singly. Thee warts usually are flesh to pinkish color or pearly white.

Symptoms to look out for and that should alert you to the fact that there is a problem that you should go and discuss with your doctor are when you notice pink or gray swellings or lumps that appear anywhere around your genital area and that grows fast in size. Unexpected discomfort, severe itching, a prickling sensation in the genital area and a burning sensation requires attention. When you start having pain and bleeding during intercourse it is a clear indication that a visit to your doctor is necessary.

The reason why people often do not realize they have been infected with the HPV virus is that the actual genital warts can be so tiny that they cannot be seen with the naked eye and are referred to as sub-clinical HPV. Often in women who are infected, they do not actually develop symptoms but the HPV virus holds an extra danger for women as it can cause changes in the cervix. It is important for all women to go for regular Pap smears as often they only find out through a Pap smear that they have been infected by the HPV virus. Depending on the findings of the Pap smear and the severity of the degree of abnormal cells detected, the health care practitioner may suggest a further Pap smear or another form of testing to be done.

It is important that all are aware that there is no cure for the HPV virus. The genital warts are an outward symptom of the virus and the actual warts can be treated and removed. There are various forms of treatment available for the treatment of genital warts and it is of the utmost importance you discuss the various forms of treatment with your doctor. He may suggest coming in for a series of treatments or you may discuss using home treatments where you can treat the affected areas yourself. Doctors are not in favor of home treatments as genital warts affect the most delicate area of the body and using any harsh chemicals in this area must be done with great caution so as not to risk additional skin damage. If you have been infected with the HPV virus you must be aware that you can and will transfer the virus to an uninfected sexual partner, therefore the use of condoms are critical and the only sure way of stopping the spread is by avoiding sexual contact.

Prescription Treatments For Genital Warts On The Market

When you are taking a look at the prescription treatments you will have to rely on the opinion and knowledge of a conventional doctor. It is only a conventional doctor who has the authority to allow a patient to buy and use prescription medication. There is a tube of cream that is under the label of Aldara. This cream is specifically for the treatment of genital warts and the main ingredient is imiquimod. This cream is easily applied to the warts three times in a week. This could go on for sixteen weeks. Imiquimod strengthens the immune system, it is safe to use and inexpensive. But it is a prescription treatment. This cream is known to rid fifty percent of patients of their genital warts.

Another prescription treatment for genital warts with an even higher success rate is that of that of podofilox. This treatment comes in the form of a liquid or gel. It is also put straight onto the genital warts. This medication must be used two times each day. If necessary this can be done for four weeks. Care must be taken because it can damage the skin that surrounds the genital warts. This prescription treatment has a sixty fiver percent success rate. It is not expensive. Like imiquimod, podofilox can also be used in the privacy of your own home.

Very often the first indication that there is anything amiss is when genital warts start making an appearance. If you think you have genital warts knowing what they look like might be useful. These are growths that can be very flat or textured like cauliflower. They are normally seen around the vagina, anus or on the penis. If these are genital warts you are getting them because you have a viral infection. The virus that you have in your body is called HPV. There is no cure for the virus but you can stop it from spreading to others. Prescription treatments are very good at getting rid of the warts. They may come back but then your doctor may use another kind of treatment. HPV stands for human pailloma virus. Your doctor will explain that the treatment of genital warts is difficult.

A doctor will have to determine just how bad the genital warts are and exactly what kind you have. These facts are decisive in which prescription treatments to use. It is not unusual for a patient to have to try more than treatment method. There is also a drug on the market that is known as alpha-interferon. This drug is administered as an injection into the warts. Alpha-interferon is an anti-viral. It does soothe the infected area but it is costly. The use of this injection does not mean that the genital warts are gone for good.