Treating Genital Warts: Understanding All the Options Available
By: Sarah J.
Submitted: 2012-01-20 12:45:00 | Word Count: 712
Genital warts are very illusive and when it infects humans, there is no escape from its clutches. The embarrassment of having genital warts keeps most adults from visiting the doctor. However, when things get out of hand, you have no choice but to visit a doctor. As a best practice, you must have a complete medical checkup of the entire body once a year. This will not only help you diagnose the genital warts, but will also tell you if you have any other underlying disease. If you take care of your body, the body will take care of you.
Genital warts spread by touch and is often transmitted during sexual activity such as sexual intercourse. If your partner has genital warts then there is a very high chance that you will contract the infection after one session of sexual intercourse. Most condoms do not give entire protection from these infections as the genital warts are often present in places where the condom cannot cover. If the female has genital warts on her vagina, then there are higher chances that the male who has a sexual relationship with her will develop the genital warts on the penis and vice versa.
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When you visit a doctor or a dermatologist for the treatment for genital warts, he or she will first ask you a few questions regarding the infection. Some questions that the doctor or dermatologist may ask are:
o When did you notice the appearance of the genital warts?
o Are you taking any medications for the genital warts?
o Do the genital warts pain during walking, running, or any other activities?
o Are you allergic to any medications?
After asking the above mentioned questions, the doctor or dermatologist may do a thorough physical examination of the genital warts. There are some genital warts that are not seen properly during the physical examination. In such instances, the doctor may apply a vinegar-like solution over the infected area and then examine the genital warts. After the application of the vinegar-like solution, the infected area becomes whitish giving a clearer picture of the genital warts. After the physical examination, the vinegar-like solution must be washed off very carefully.
After the physical examination, the doctor or dermatologist is in a better position to give you the best medical advice. The doctor may then tell you about all the methods for the treatment of genital warts. The two main classes of treating genital warts are medications and physical methods. Genital wart medications mostly include creams and lotions. Some of the lotions and creams need the intervention of the dermatologist or the doctor, whereas most of the creams and lotions can be self applied.
Aldara is one of the most commonly prescribed by most doctors and dermatologists world over. The active ingredient that is found in the Aldara cream is Imiquimod. This cream works specifically on the genital warts and strengthens the immune system of the body. There is no permanent cure for genital warts, but by strengthening the immune system, this cream reduces the chances of reoccurrence. This cream has to be applied with great care and is meant for external application only.
Another major advantage of using the Aldara cream is that there will be no scar left after the genital warts are dissolved. So, the physical appearance of the genital area will be intact even after the use of the Aldara cream. Like any other genital warts cream, the Aldara cream too may take a longer time to heal the genital warts. The cost of the Aldara cream may be a concern for most patients as it is a bit expensive then the other medications.
For quick treatment of genital warts, your doctor may suggest surgery. Most common surgical methods are laser treatment, Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure, Electrocautery, Excision, and cryosurgery. Among the above mentioned surgical methods, the Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure is the latest. Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure is also called a LEEP. Most of the surgeries have good success rates. You may ask your surgeon about his or her success rate prior to the surgery. The main drawback of any surgery is the damage to the surrounding tissue. Whatever may be the method; there will surely be some damage to the surrounding areas.
