What are the First Signs of Genital Warts in Women?

Genital warts can be challenging to diagnose because most people that have them are asymptomatic, meaning they don’t present any symptoms of the disease. It is particularly tricky for women because the warts can form on the inside of the vagina and only a gynecological exam would reveal the infection. In addition to increasing the chances of infecting your partner, the warts can cause discomfort during sex and complicate pregnancy.

Early Symptoms of Genital Warts

When the warts start growing, they may appear as small, hard, pink or white bumps that vaguely resemble the top of cauliflower. They may be mistaken for pimples. You may experience mild itching but there is usually no pain. As the warts continue to grow, a burning or itching sensation may occur during urination or sexual intercourse. There may also be a small amount of bleeding or discharge after sex. These symptoms gradually worsen as time goes by and the warts fully form.

Diagnosing Genital Warts

You should get examined by a doctor as soon as you start exhibiting symptoms of genital warts. Sometimes the doctor can diagnose the virus after visually inspecting the area using a vinegar water solution. However, the doctor will likely do a pap smear to confirm the diagnosis. He or she may also perform an HPV DNA test to determine if you have high-risk HPV.

Treating Genital Warts

The earlier you treat genital warts, the more success you will have in getting rid of them. It can take weeks, though, and sometimes years for the warts to form after infection. The average length of time from infection to first eruption of warts is 3 months.

The HPV strains that cause genital warts are not life threatening and treatment focuses on eradicating the warts. The first line of treatment for genital warts is medication. Podophyllum and podofilox are the most common ones prescribed, but your doctor may also use trichloroacetic acid, 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, or interferon alpha-n3 to treat the warts.

In some cases, surgical intervention may be needed to remove the warts. The doctor may cut them off, use liquid nitrogen to freeze them off, or burn them off using lasers or an electrocauterization tool. Both surgery and pharmaceutical medications carry risks. Prescription drugs can cause side effects while surgery can leave behind unsightly scars. The worst part is, the warts may return, requiring you to go through the treatment process all over again.

What is needed is an effective over the counter genital warts treatment that is easy and safe to use. We searched through a number of genital wart treatment products and found few that have been proven to eradicate the warts without causing adverse side effects. These products are made from natural ingredients that work with your body’s immune system to combat the problem. For more information about these medications, go to the homepage to read reviews.