Are Genital Warts in Men Curable?

The Center for Disease Control estimates that 1 percent of sexually-active men in the United States are infected with the human papilloma virus (HPV) that causes genital warts. These are small growths that form on the skin and mucous membranes of various parts of the male body. The most common place genital warts popup on men are around the penis head, but they also grow on the shaft, scrotum, and anus.




Genital warts are uncomfortable and embarrassing. The first thing that many men wonder when confronted with the reality that they have this virus is whether or not it is curable. There are about 70 types of HPV, and the body is able to cure itself of some of them. Unfortunately, the strain of HPV that causes genital warts is not one of them. There is a vaccine on the market designed to prevent infection, but it is still in the testing stages for males.

Getting Rid of Genital Warts in Men

Treatment for genital warts focuses on getting rid of the warts themselves. After confirming the diagnosis, your doctor will likely prescribe medication for your warts. There are a few different types of pharmaceutical drugs he or she may recommend; some require the doctor to administer and some you can use on your own.

The most common prescription drugs used are imiquimod, podophyllin, podofilox, and trichloroacetic acid. These medications work a few different ways. Imiquimod boosts your immune system’s ability to destroy genital warts. Podophyllin and podofilox are topical medications that dissolve the wart tissue. Podophyllin must be applied by the doctor, but podofilox can be used at home. Trichloroacetic acid is a chemical that burns the warts off and must be applied by a doctor. If the warts resist treatment, the doctor may prescribe interferon alpha-n3. This medication is made from human proteins and works to help the body combat viral infections.



All of these medications can cause side effects such as headache, muscle pain, sleep problems, and nausea. There are alternative methods that can be used to get rid of genital warts. One way is cryosurgery. The doctor would freeze the warts using liquid nitrogen prior to removing them. Another option is to burn the warts off using a laser or an electrocauterization tool. The last option is to cut them away. These methods are not appropriate for all genital warts. For example, cryosurgery and electrocauterization would be too harsh to use on the mucus membranes inside of the anus.

Another option is to purchase an over-the-counter medication that has been proven to remove or reduce the appearance of genital warts without the adverse side effects associated with pharmaceutical drugs. There are a few medications on the market that can do that. These remedies are made from natural ingredients that work with the body’s innate healing mechanisms to eradicate the warts. For more information about the best natural over the counter treatments for genital warts go to the homepage.



One thing that should be noted is the virus remains active in the body which may cause the warts to reappear. Having an effective over-the-counter remedy on hand at home is an excellent way to keep your breakouts in check.

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