Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Genital warts are fairly common; approximately 500,000 new cases of genital
warts are diagnosed each year in the U.S. A typical appearance of a genital wart
may prompt the physician to treat without further testing, especially in someone
who has had prior outbreaks of genital warts. Genital warts usually appear as
small, fleshy, raised bumps, but they sometimes can be extensive and have a
cauliflower-like appearance. They may occur on any sexually-exposed area. Over 90% of
genital warts are caused by HPV-6 and HPV-11, the so-called "low risk" HPV
types.
How is HPV treated?
External genital warts
There is no cure or treatment that can eradicate HPV
infection, so the only currently possible treatment is to remove the lesions
caused by the virus. Unfortunately, even removal of the warts does not
necessarily prevent the spread of the virus, and genital warts frequently recur.
None of the available treatment options is ideal or clearly superior to others.
A treatment that can be administered by the patient is a
0.5% solution or gel of podofilox
(Condylox). The medication is applied
to the warts twice per day for 3 days followed by 4 days without treatment.
Treatment should be continued up to 3-4 weeks or until the lesions are gone.
Podofilox may also be applied every other day for a total of three weeks.
Alternatively, a 5% cream of imiquimod
(Aldara, a substance that stimulates the body's
production of cytokines, chemicals that direct and strengthen the immune
response) is likewise applied by the patient three times a week at bedtime, and
then washed off with mild soap and water 6-10 hours later. The applications are
repeated for up to 16 weeks or until the lesions are gone.
Only an experienced
physician can perform some of the treatments for genital warts. These include,
for example, placing a small amount of a 10%-25% solution of podophyllin resin on
the lesions, and then, after a period of hours, washing off the podophyllin. The
treatments are repeated weekly until the genital warts are gone.
An 80%-90%
solution of trichloroacetic acid (TCA) or bichloracetic acid (BCA) can also be
applied weekly by a physician to the lesions. Injection of
5-flurouracil epinephrine gel into the lesions has also been shown to be effective in treating
genital warts.
Interferon alpha, a substance that stimulates the body's immune
response, has also been used in the treatment of genital warts. Treatment
regimens involve injections of interferon into the lesion every other day over a
period of 8 to 12 weeks.
Alternative methods include cryotherapy (freezing the
genital warts with liquid nitrogen) every 1 to 2 weeks, surgical removal of the
lesions, or laser surgery. Laser
surgery and surgical excision both require a
local or general anesthetic, depending upon the extent of the lesions.
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs,
are infections that are transmitted during any type of sexual exposure,
including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and the sharing of sexual
devices, such as vibrators. Women can contract all of the STDs, but may have no symptoms, or have different symptoms than men do.
Cervical cancer is cancer of the entrance to the womb (uterus). Regular pelvic exams and Pap testing can detect precancerous changes in the cervix. Precancerous changes in the cervix may be treated with cryosurgery, cauterization, or laser surgery. The most common symptom of cancer of the cervix is abnormal bleeding.
The term oral cancer includes cancer of the mouth (oral cavity) and the back of the mouth (oropharynx). Red and white patches inside the mouth, bleeding, loose teeth, pain upon swallowing, a lump in the neck, earache, and a sore on your lip or in your mouth that won't heal are all symptoms of oral cancer. Treatment for oral cancer depends upon the staging of the disease and usually involves surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
Vaginitis is any type of vaginal infection or inflammation. The six most common types of vaginitis are Candida (yeast infections), bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis vaginitis, chlamydia vaginitis, viral vaginitis, and noninfectious vaginitis. Symptoms include itching, burning, and abnormal vaginal discharge. Treatment is different for each type of vaginitis.
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are infections that are transmitted during any
type of sexual exposure, including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and
the sharing of sexual devices, such as vibrators. Although treatment exists for many STDs, others currently are
usually incurable, such as those caused by HIV, HPV, hepatitis B and C, and HHV-8.
Anal cancer, cancer located at the end of the large intestine, has symptoms that include anal or rectal bleeding, anal pain or pressure, anal discharge or itching, a change in bowel movements, and/or a lump in the anal region. Treatment for anal cancer may involve radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery and depends upon the stage of the cancer, its location, whether cancer is eradicated after the first treatment, and whether the patient has HIV.
Signs and symptoms of penile cancer include a lump on the penis and redness, irritation, or a sore on the penis. Risk of penis cancer is higher in uncircumcised men, due to a higher risk of HPV infection. Other risk factors include being over 60, having phimosis, having poor hygiene, using tobacco products, and having many sex partners. Prognosis and treatment depend upon the tumor's location and size, the stage of the cancer, and whether the cancer was recently diagnosed or if it recurred.
Vaginal cancer is fairly uncommon. There are two types of vaginal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Risk factors include being 60 or older, exposure to DES while in the womb, HPV infection, and having a history of abnormal cervical cells. Painful intercourse, pelvic pain, vaginal lumps, and abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge are all symptoms of vaginal cancer. Treatment depends upon the stage of the vaginal cancer and may involve surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and the use of radiosensitizers.
The HPV virus (genital warts) in men can cause health problems. Genital warts are confined primarily to the moist skin of the genitals or around the anus. Genital warts are caused by the human papillomaviruses (HPVs), which are transmitted through sexual contact.
Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease, is caused by a microscopic, wormlike bacterial organism called a spirochete. There are three stages of syphilis. The first involves the formation of the chancre. The second stage often includes hair loss, a sore throat, white patches in the nose, mouth, and vagina, fever, headaches, and a skin rash. The third stage can cause extensive damage to the internal organs and the brain, and can lead to death. Though early infection often resolves on its own, treatment usually varies based on the stage of the infection at the time of diagnosis.
Sexual health information including birth control, impotence, herpes, sexually transmitted diseases, staying healthy, women's sexual health concerns, and men's sexual health concerns. Learn about the most common sexual conditions affecting men and women.
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