What Happens if Genital Warts Go Untreated?
What are Genital Warts?
Genital warts (condyloma acuminata) are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infecting the area around the genitals and anal area. It is one of the most common types of sexually transmitted diseases and, therefore, highly contagious.
What Causes Genital Warts?
- HPV strains 6 and 11 are responsible for most genital warts.
- Direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person during the different types of sex – oral, genital, or anal.
- A compromised immune system.
- Condoms do not fully protect against it because other uncovered parts like the vulva, scrotum, or perineal area are still at risk.
- From a pregnant infected mother to her baby during birth
- From sharing baths or towels, from swimming pools, toilet seats, or sharing cups, plates, or cutlery with infected people.
What Happens if Genital Warts Go Untreated?
1. Persistence and Spread:
Genital warts typically go away on their own; it may just take longer. Ideally, warts and HPV clear from the body between 6 months to two years, but this can vary by person, and some people may never be rid of the virus.
Leaving warts untreated may cause the warts to persist, and when they eventually go, they may return aggravated and spread to other people and parts of the body.
Factors that increase the chances of this persistence are a compromised immune system, age, overall health, smoking, excess alcohol, HPV strain, and much more.
2. Discomfort and Pain:
Over time, untreated warts can cause discomfort, itching, or pain, particularly if they grow larger or become irritated by friction.
3. Infection:
Warts can become infected if they are scratched or injured, leading to additional pain and potentially requiring antibiotic treatment.
4. Emotional and Psychological Impact:
The presence of genital warts can lead to emotional and psychological distress, including anxiety, embarrassment, and depression.
5. Complications in Pregnancy:
In pregnant women, untreated genital warts can lead to complications such as difficulty urinating due to blockage of the urinary tract, increased risk of bleeding during delivery, and potential transmission to the baby during childbirth.
6. Potential for Cancer:
While the strains of HPV that cause genital warts are generally low risk for cancer, having HPV does increase the risk of developing cervical, anal, penile, or throat cancers. Persistent HPV infections with high-risk strains can lead to precancerous changes and, ultimately, cancer if not monitored and treated appropriately.
It would help if you got treatment to reduce the chances of all the above. The following are the treatment options available:
TREATMENTS
In cases of recurrence, getting treatment is the fastest way to get rid of it.
Treatment can only start when you have visible symptoms, such as warts.
- Small warts can be treated with liquid nitrogen cryotherapy (freezing) or with topical medications that are applied to the skin routinely for weeks.
- Larger warts require laser therapy or surgical removal, although these methods increase the chances of recurrence.
- Heat (electrocautery or Cauterization) destroys the viral tissue by burning.
- Excision involves cutting the warts out.
- Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP): The Wart is removed by passing a sharp, loop-shaped instrument underneath the wart to cut it out of the skin.
Treatment Options
Treatments can sometimes cause irritation and soreness. Your doctor might prescribe pain medication to help manage this.
Avoid perfumed soap, bath oils, bubble baths, creams, and lotions until treatment is completed, as these may irritate the skin.
Tell the doctor or nurse if you’re pregnant or think you might be, as this may affect the type of treatment you’re given.
