Male Genital Warts
Information on male genital warts
Though far more common and dangerous in women, male genital warts are nevertheless very widespread and dangerous. Genital warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. There are very few reliable statistics on the number of males affected by HPV, as the virus can lie dormant in the body for years or even for an individual’s entire life. It is easier to detect in women, as it may produce irregular pap smears, but even those statistics are unclear: studies show that anywhere from ten to fifty percent of women are infected.HPV is so widespread in part because it can be so hard to detect, but also because it is spread much easier than most sexually transmitted diseases. Contact with bodily fluids is not necessary to spread infection; rather mere skin-to-skin sexual contact is all that is needed. In some rare instances, prolonged sharing of such items as underwear or swimming clothes is all that is needed to spread the infection. Condoms, therefore, reduce the risk of infection, but cannot prevent the spread. The only perfectly effective method of HPV prevention currently available is abstinence.
The virus manifests itself as small wart-like growths, most often on and around the head, shaft, and base of the penis, the scrotum, and around the anus. Less common are internal warts, which form inside the anus. The number of warts varies from person to person, with some people reporting a few small warts, and others affected by large clusters. The warts may swell to a larger size if the male is affected by HIV, undergoing treatment for leukemia, or is in other situations in which the immune system is heavily taxed. Smokers and those with unhealthy eating habits are particularly at risk.
As mentioned previously, genital warts are of less danger to men than women. However, just as with women, HPV is linked to different kinds of cancer in men. Though obviously not at risk for cervical or vulvar cancer, as women are, men are still at risk for anal cancer, and cancer of the penis (a very rare cancer). Warts can, however, be a nuisance, and can swell, itch, or bleed if irritated.
There are several treatments for genital warts, including topical medications, surgeries, and electrical and laser removal methods. Some methods may be used at home by the individual, while others require a medical professional and expensive equipment. A health professional should be consulted before any treatment is undertaken.
Treatment of Male Genital Warts
There are many professional treatments for male genital warts, each with different levels of effectiveness depending on the affected individual, and the size and number of warts. Genital warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases today. Because it is a virus, it is nearly impossible to completely eliminate the virus from the body. However, there are many safe and effective methods for removing the troublesome warts it causes.Topical medications are usually the first method tried. Several types of medications are available, each working in different ways. Imiquimod appears to boost the immune system’s ability to fight the warts, in effect helping the body destroy the wart itself. Podofilox attacks the genital wart tissue itself, and a doctor will most likely apply it the first time, and instruct the patient for ensuing self-treatments. Trichloroacetic acid actually burns away the wart, and must always be applied by a doctor.
In many patients, however, medication is ineffective at removing the warts, or simply does not work fast enough. In these cases, there are several physical methods for removing warts.
One of the most commonly used methods is “freezing” the warts off using liquid nitrogen, called cryotherapy. Also a common treatment for warts appearing on other parts of the body, cryotherapy is very useful in warts appearing externally. Liquid nitrogen is sprayed onto the affected skin, causing a blister to form. As the blister heals, the wart sloughs off, allowing new skin to form. Several cryotherapy treatments may be required for complete removal of the warts. Cryotherapy is usually the first tried and often the only, as the effectiveness is very high, and the occurrence of side effects quite low.
Electrodessication is used in similar situations as cryotherapy, and in many ways accomplishes the same result in the opposite manner. Instead of freezing the wart, it is “burned” off with the use of electric current. It is done in an office, usually with local anesthesia.
Simple surgery is even more effective, and the recurrence rate is the lowest. Local anesthesia is applied, and a doctor removes the warts using special tools. Surgery is usually used when the warts are small in size and number.
The rarest and by far the most expensive method of professional treatment for genital warts is laser surgery. Often, laser surgery is a last resort when there are many warts present, or a constant recurrence of warts that had been previously removed by other methods. Laser treatments are also used for internal genital warts found within the anus.
As mentioned earlier, removal of warts is important, but will not guarantee the eradication of the virus from the body.
