Genital warts are caused by a group of viruses called Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). There are over 100 types of HPV, most of which do not cause disease in healthy people. About 80% of sexually active people have HPV infection at some stage in their lives. Most HPV infections clear by themselves under the influence of the immune system. Two of the sexually transmitted HPV types (6 and 11) are known to cause genital warts. About one in ten people carry these HPV types but only one in a hundred will develop visible warts.

The HPV types that cause genital warts are harmless but other invisible high-risk HPV types, which are sexually transmitted, can increase a woman’s risk of cervical cancer. This can be prevented by having regular cervical smear tests which will detect early cell changes that can be treated before cancer develops.

See www.cervicalcheck.ie for more information.

Genital warts are growths or bumps that appear on the vulva, in or around the entrance to the vagina or anus, on the cervix, and on the penis, scrotum, groin or thigh. The appearance of the warts can vary from person to person. There may be a single wart or a cluster, they may be raised or flat, can be itchy or painless and can vary in size, shape and colour.

HPV can be present in the skin without causing any warts to grow. The high-risk HPV types do not cause genital warts.

HPV and genital warts are most commonly spread by direct, skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone who already has the infection.

Genital warts most commonly affect sexually active men and women between the ages of 18 to 25, but the infection can be found in all age groups and in both homosexuals and heterosexuals.

Because the virus can sit dormant on the skin without causing warts, they can affect people who have not been sexually active for a number of years.

Genital warts tend to appear two to three months after exposure to the virus but this varies from person to person.

Warts can be diagnosed by visual examination by your doctor in most cases.

There are a number of treatments available and the aims of treatment are to remove visible genital warts and reduce the amount of virus. Reducing the amount of virus will help the body fight the infection.

Treatment options include treatments performed in clinic or at home.

Clinic treatment:

Cryotherapy: Freezing of the warts by liquid nitrogen. Once weekly treatments are recommended and it may be necessary to make multiple visits to the clinic.

Home treatments:

These include creams or solutions, which are applied on to the surface of the warts. These treatments can be prescribed by your doctor and can take from 4 to 16 weeks to work. These creams should not be used during pregnancy and pregnancy should be avoided for three months after the treatments have finished.

If there are a number of large or very persistent warts, referral to hospital for laser therapy, electro-cautery or surgery may be necessary.

Treatment may cause damage to the healthy tissue surrounding the wart and can be painful. It is advisable to discontinue the treatment until the tissue heals. Keeping the skin clean and dry, taking salt baths and/or using Calendula cream will help the healing process.

The virus may still remain in the body once the warts are removed. Treating the warts will however destroy a considerable number of virus cells. This means the virus is weaker which should allow the body to fight the remaining cells. Boosting your immune system by eating a healthy diet and not smoking will help the body to fight the virus.

Pregnancy hormones can cause genital warts to grow in size and number. These can be treated with cryotherapy but are sometimes removed to avoid problems during delivery.

If you have been infected with the virus that causes genital warts then you are at risk of other infections. Screening for these infections, Chlamydia for example, is advised and can be carried out at the Well Woman Centre or at Genito-Urinary Medicine clinics around the country.

Pre-malignant cervical cellular changes are caused by HPV viruses. Most of the time these cell changes revert to normal without any treatment. About 90% of genital warts are caused by HPV types 6 and 11. These can cause temporary cell changes but do not cause cancer.

The HPV types known to cause cancer include types 16, 18, 31 and 45. These types do not cause genital warts however they are transmitted in the same way as wart viruses so you may have been exposed to them.

It is therefore very important to have regular smear tests i.e. 3 yearly to pick up any abnormal changes on the cervix.

See www.cervicalcheck.ie

If you are diagnosed with genital warts your partner should also get checked. If you have had the same partner for a number of months it is likely that they also have HPV even if there are no visible warts. If you are starting a new relationship you are slightly more likely to transmit the HPV virus for up to three months after the warts have been treated.

Yoga, massage relaxation and not focusing on your problem can also help.

The homeopathic remedy Thuja can also be helpful in the treatment of genital warts.

The following information is from Dr Madeleine A. Stringer, M.F.Hom who has a private homeopathy practice.

Thuja is a homeopathic remedy which can help warts in 50% of people. It is totally harmless and can be used in conjunction with any other medication. The Well Woman Centre now supplies Thuja in the “30C” potency which is suitable for warts.

Suck one pill at a time three times pre day for three consecutive days per week (e.g. Mon/Tues/Wed). Continue for five weeks unless you notice an improvement sooner. As soon as you see an improvement, STOP the remedy. Continuing with a homeopathic remedy when it is already working is counter-productive.

Always suck your pill in a clear mouth, i.e. no other flavours in your mouth for 20 minutes before or after. This includes food, toothpaste and cigarettes.

After five weeks if you see no change, stop the remedy for three weeks. You may get an improvement during this time. If not, try another three weeks of Thuja. If there is no change a month after the second course, you are one of the people this remedy does not match.

You may like to consult a professional homeopath who can choose another remedy to suit you.

There are no side effects from Thuja if used as described here. The worst that can happen is nothing!

Complementary health methods which include eating a healthy diet, not smoking and exercising will help your body’s immune system which in turn will fight the HPV virus. Smoking affects the body’s ability to fight infection and women who smoke often take longer to clear the wart virus. Smoking is also a risk factor for the development of cervical cancer.

The number of sexual partners increases the risk of STIs. Condom use will provide some, but not complete protection from the HPV virus.

Some people feel upset and angry so it is important to know that you are not alone and it is a problem that can be managed.

Finally, if you have been diagnosed with genital warts it is important to:

• Ask your doctor or nurse for an explanation about genital warts.
• Ask about treatment options available and their side effects.
• Ensure you make a follow up appointment.
• Be aware that it can take a number of treatments to clear the warts.
• Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, as this will affect your treatment options.