Vaginal warts are the female version of genital warts. It is a disease caused by a type of human papillomavirus (HPV). The strain of HPV that causes warts is transmitted sexual, and hence vaginal genital warts are classified as an STD (sexually transmitted disease). HPV is extremely common and it is estimated that by the age of 50, 80% of American women will have contracted the disease, be it a strain that causes warts, other symptoms or is symptomless.

Symptoms

Generally, of the many of strains of the HPV virus that is circulating, most don’t have symptoms. However, one obvious symptom of genital warts is the appearance of warts on the penis, scrotum or anus for men, and inside or outside the vagina, cervix, or anus on women. Although, unlike other strains of HPV that don’t have symptoms at all, it could still take years of having the virus before so much as a minuscule vaginal wart appears, which effectively makes even genital warts HPV symptomless; unless the warts are large and numerous due to a severe infestation. Other forms of HPV can cause cancer, but the strain that causes genital warts fortunately doesn’t lead onto cancer.

Treatment

There is no known cure for vaginal warts, or HPV. Once you have the virus it’s a case of learning to live with it and waiting for the immune system to naturally clear the virus from the body; eventually, often after many years, the immune system does rid the body of HPV. Although the virus will still be present, and the warts can’t be completely cured, there is still vaginal warts treatment available. A gel or cream containing prodofilox (reduces warts infection) or imiquimod (an immune system booster) can be applied to the affected areas that relieve vaginal warts symptoms.

Or for more specialised treatment for genital warts, a doctor can freeze-burn the warts off (cryosurgery). Again, this doesn’t cure genital warts, it simply destroys the ones that have grown; the virus HPV will still be present in the body and warts reoccur after cryosurgery 55% of the time, within six months after surgery. Surgical excision would be used for large warts, but chances of scarring and reoccurance are high.

Prevention

There is a vaccine for genital warts, but this can only be used as a preventative measure; once it’s contracted HVP, your immune system wont benefit from a vaccine at all. Because HVP is such a prevailing virus, abstinence is the best form of prevention. However, if you want an active sex life make sure you know and trust that your sexual partner is free of all STIs, including genital warts. Condoms can provide protection, as long as they cover all of the affected areas, including the base of your partner’s penis, where men can get genital warts.

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