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What are Anogenital Warts: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Complications, Diagnosis

What are Anogenital Warts?

Anogenital warts are one of the major types of infections which are commonly transmitted sexually. More than half of sexually active individuals get anogenital warts which are caused by HPV or human papillomavirus. This HPV virus triggers anogenital warts in these individuals who participate in sex with multiple partners. Anogenital warts are more common among women than in men.

What are Anogenital Warts?

Anogenital warts appear on the genital and anal area’s moist tissues. Anogenital warts appear in the genital area are too small, small flesh bumps and sometimes get the appearance of a cauliflower.

Anogenital warts are triggered by HPV or Human papillomavirus. These anogenital warts also look like other warts that appear on the other part of the body. Some types of genital HPV or Human papillomavirus are capable of causing anogenital warts, where as other types genital HPV’s or Human papillomavirus can trigger cancer. To assist protect against certain types of genital HPV or Human papillomavirus, patients could be vaccinated beforehand.

Causes of Anogenital Warts

The human papillomavirus or HPV causes Anogenital warts. More than 40 diverse types of HPV’s are present. These in particular distress the genital area of the human body. Sexual contact is the prime method of spreading genital HPV leading to anogenital warts. In many situations the human immune system is strong enough to destroy genital HPV which can lead to anogenital warts; therefore there will be no symptoms appearing after an infection.

Signs and Symptoms of Anogenital Warts

There are many signs and symptoms for anogenital warts. Anogenital warts may appear on different sections on women’s private areas like vagina walls, vulva, between anus and the external genitals, cervix and on the anal canal.

In men anogenital warts may appear on the tip of the penis, scrotum and on the anus and on such areas. These warts may develop inside the mouth or on the throat if an individual has involved in oral sexual activities with an affected person.

Signs and symptoms of anogenital warts comprise:

  • Grey or flesh-colored small swellings in the genital area are a common symptom of anogenital warts.
  • Groups of warts which are very close to each other appearing in a shape of a cauliflower are symptoms of anogenital warts.
  • Bleeding with intercourse and itching or discomfort feelings in the genital area is a sign of anogenital warts.

Anogenital warts most of the time may appear as very small and flat and sometimes can not be seen with your naked eye. Sometimes, these warts may develop into large bunches.

What is the Right Time to Consult a Specialist for Anogenital Warts?

If you feel any uneasiness like scratching or else if you notice small bumps in your genital area do not delay any more to visit an appropriate specialist to know if you have anogenital warts.

Your physician may ask you several questions related to the disease of anogenital warts. Therefore find answers for prospective questions the doctor may ask from you. Then possibly you world get the correct consultation and medicine while saving both of your valuable time.

  • What sort of symptoms you have noticed?
  • From when you were experiencing symptoms?
  • How critical your symptoms are?
  • Do you follow safe sex? Were you following the safety precautions since you turn out to be sexually active?
  • In recent times have you had sex together with a new colleague?
  • Has your associate been examined for sexually conveyed infections?
  • Have you obtained the HPV vaccine? If so by when did you get that?
  • Are you pregnant otherwise are you hoping to be pregnant?

Risk Factors for Anogenital Warts

There are many risk factors for anogenital warts. Disease Control & Prevention organizations (CDC) have discovered that closer to or some times more than half of sexually addicted people will happen to get infected by genital HPV during their lives at certain point. Factors which could increase your possibility of becoming impure include:

  • Having insecure sex with several partners is a risk factor for anogenital warts.
  • Have experienced another sexually spread disease is also a possible risk factor for anogenital warts.
  • Another factor of risk for anogenital warts is having sex with an associate without knowing his/ her sex history.
  • Becoming sexually progressive at a very young age.

Complications in Anogenital Warts

There are few possible complications for anogenital warts, including:

  • Cancer is a possible complication for anogenital warts. Cervical cancer is closely connected with genital HPV disease which leads to anogenital warts. Some types of HPV too are connected with cancer in the vulva, cancer in the anus, cancer in the penis, cancer in the mouth and even cancer in the throat. Human papillomavirus disease does not always headed to cancer, but it is yet vital for women to take regular Pap tests, mainly if you have been impure with higher risk categories of HPV.
  • Problems throughout pregnancy period are a complication in anogenital warts. Anogenital warts may trigger problems throughout pregnancy. Warts get enlarge, happening it problematical to urinate. Warts appear on vaginal walls may lessen the capability of vaginal tissues become stretched during childbirth. Huge warts spread on / near the vulva or else in the vagina start bleed when extended during delivery.

Very infrequently, a baby born from an anogenital warts infected mother may acquire warts in his/ her throat. The infant might have to undergo a surgery to make certain that his airway is not blocked.

Tests to Diagnose Anogenital Warts

Two major tests are available for diagnosing anogenital warts. Normally it is difficult to discover anogenital warts therefore your doctor might apply soft acetic acid liquid to the genitals to make whiten any warts. Next the doctor can view them from a magnifying instrument, which is called colposcope.

  1. Pap Tests for Diagnosing Anogenital Warts

    It is important to face standard Pap tests for diagnosing anogenital warts and pelvic exams by all female sex participants which can assist to discover cervical and vaginal changes triggered by anogenital warts and/or the premature symptoms of cervical cancer, which is a potential complication of genital infection of HPV.

    Throughout a Pap test for diagnosing anogenital warts, the physician will use equipment named speculum to keep widen your vagina. Then a long tool with a handle is used to collect a sample of cells out from the cervix, the section between your uterus and vagina. The collected sample is investigated with a microscope to find out deformities.

  2. HPV Test for Diagnosing Anogenital Warts

    HPV test is very useful in confirming the diagnosis of anogenital warts. Only some types of genital HPV (Human papillomavirus) are connected to cervical cancer. An investigation could be done using sample of cervical cells, collected in a Pap test, to find out there is an indication for cervical cancer.

    This test is commonly recommended for women older 30 years. It is not normally necessary for younger women as their immune systems normally can kill cancer-causing types of genital HPV or Human papillomavirus even without treatment for anogenital warts.

References:

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Human Papillomavirus (HPV): https://www.cdc.gov/hpv/index.html
  2. World Health Organization (WHO) – Human Papillomavirus (HPV): https://www.who.int/immunization/diseases/hpv/en/
  3. MedlinePlus – Genital Warts: https://medlineplus.gov/genitalwarts.html
  4. Mayo Clinic – Genital Warts: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/genital-warts/symptoms-causes/syc-20355234

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:July 20, 2023

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