Genital warts in men are often diagnosed. The appearance on the skin of such neoplasms is a common problem. Despite the fact that these growths are benign, they should not be ignored.
What do genital warts look like and why ? What complications is this pathology associated with? Are there effective treatments? How are condylomas removed? Are there effective preventative measures? The answers to these questions are important for every man.
Genital warts in men: causes of education
Condylomas are small skin growths, which are popularly known as warts. Similar structures can form on almost any part of the skin and mucous membranes. Genital warts in men, as a rule, are localized in the area of the external genitalia and perineum.
The cause of the appearance of skin neoplasms is the human papillomavirus. This is a fairly common infection - it is estimated that about 90% of the world's population are carriers. To date, more than a hundred different strains of the virus that infect the human body are known. The causative agents of papillomatosis in most cases are harmless. Nevertheless, there are strains whose infection increases the risk of developing cancer in the future.
How is the virus transmitted?
Now you already know why candidiasis develops. Genital warts in men are the result of infection in the body.
Most often, the virus is transmitted during intercourse with an infected person. Viral particles are contained in internal fluids, excreted in saliva. It is worth noting that the infection can be caught not only during an unprotected vaginal act, but also during anal and oral contacts. The risk group includes people who have a promiscuous sex life.
It should be understood that the carrier of the virus does not necessarily have any external symptoms, for example, genital warts. Often a sick person does not even suspect that spreads the infection.
A household way of transmitting the virus is also possible, although such cases are recorded much less frequently. Infection can also pass from mother to baby during fetal development or during childbirth.
Are there any risk factors?
The human papillomavirus in men may not appear for many months or even years. Activation of the infection is usually associated with a weakening of the immune system. The list of factors that can provoke the appearance of skin tumors is quite large:
- The presence of infectious, chronic inflammatory and somatic diseases leads to a weakening of the body's defenses, which can activate the papilloma virus.
- Risk factors include malnutrition (the body must receive a sufficient amount of vitamins, minerals and nutrients).
- Negative habits, in particular, smoking and alcohol abuse, affect the immune system.
- Constant stresses, emotional overstrain lead to hormonal imbalance, which also affects the activity of the immune system.
- Lack of physical activity also negatively affects the body.
- The list of adverse factors includes physical and nervous exhaustion, non-compliance with the appropriate regime of work and rest.
- The activity of the immune system decreases due to hypothermia or, conversely, overheating of the body.
What does condyloma look like? Features of the clinical picture
In men, genital warts, as a rule, are formed in the region of the external genitalia. The growth of the tumor occurs at the place where the virus invades the skin.
Condyloma in appearance resembles cauliflower. Such papillomas are located on a thin stalk through which small vessels that feed the neoplasm pass. The “cap” of the wart is rough, sculptured.
These structures rarely differ in color from healthy skin. Nevertheless, the cap can sometimes turn red or acquire a pale gray tint. In men, such neoplasms, as a rule, are formed on the glans penis, tissues of the foreskin, and also around the frenum.
Condylomas are painless, therefore, at the initial stages of development, they are perceived only as an aesthetic defect. Nevertheless, as the disease progresses, papillomas increase in size. Single structures merge, forming massive lesion sites. Such warts are often injured, as a result of which they can become inflamed.
By the way, neoplasms extend to other tissues. In particular, papillomas can be seen on the skin of the groin, perineum. A large number of them are formed in the anus. Often, the pathological process spreads and the intestinal mucous membranes.
Patients complain of pain during bowel movements. Sometimes there is discomfort during intercourse and urination. At first glance, harmless warts in the end significantly reduce the quality of life of a sick person.
What is the danger of genital warts in men?
You already know what these neoplasms are and why they are formed. Of course, such skin growths in most cases are not dangerous. Nevertheless, it is not worth giving up therapy. Genital warts in men can lead to the development of complications.
As already mentioned, some strains of the virus increase the risk of cancer.
Genital warts in men are often formed on the glans penis. Such neoplasms can be injured during intercourse, which is accompanied by very unpleasant sensations.
If untreated, condylomas can “germinate” into the mucous membrane of the urethra, causing itching, burning, disrupting the normal outflow of urine.
Similar neoplasms often appear in the scrotum, anus, and sometimes the rectum. Their presence causes very unpleasant sensations, pain during bowel movements.
Genital warts are often injured. Small wounds form in their place, which can become a gateway to a secondary bacterial infection.
Sometimes single warts grow together, forming the so-called cocks. Their rubbing on underwear is accompanied by severe pain, itching and burning.
Do not forget that the presence of warts on the genitals is an emotional stress for each male.
Yes, genital warts in men are formed often. And ignore them in no case. A disease at a later stage of development is much more difficult to treat.
Diagnostic procedures
You should consult a doctor as soon as you notice characteristic symptoms. Genital warts in men are difficult to confuse with some other disease. A general examination by a doctor will be enough to diagnose papillomavirus. Nevertheless, it is important to draw up a complete medical history and conduct additional tests.
- Blood tests for detecting infections, including syphilis and HIV.
- Histological analysis of tissue samples is carried out in order to exclude (or confirm) the likelihood of developing cancer.
- Urethroscopy is performed. Using a special probe, the doctor examines the walls of the urethra, determines the presence of genital warts inside the urethra.
- An examination of the mucous membranes of the rectum and sigmoid colon with a rectoscope should also be included in the list of procedures.
Based on the results, this specialist will be able to draw up an effective therapy regimen. By the way, there are cases when condylomas disappeared on their own, without any specific treatment, but this does not mean that you need to neglect the help of a doctor.
Is medication possible?
The human papillomavirus in men leads to extremely unpleasant symptoms. Unfortunately, to date, there are no drugs that can completely cleanse the body of infection. But, as already mentioned, the virus is activated against the background of a weakened immune system. That is why patients are prescribed immunostimulating agents.
For example, sometimes men are injected with interferon, which inhibits the activity of the infection. The antiviral drug Panavir is also included in the treatment regimen. To strengthen immunity, patients take tincture of echinacea, "Immunal", medication from ginseng root.
Ointments for removing tumors
In men, genital warts are often diagnosed. Treatment can be carried out using special preparations for treating the skin.
Widely used drugs such as Kondilin and Kondilayn Nycomed. The main component of the drug is podophyllotoxin, which has a detrimental effect on the wart tissue, gradually destroying them. During the first three days, condylomas are treated with ointment twice a day, after which they take a break for a week. Further, the course of treatment can be resumed again, but not more than five days. It is worth noting that therapy can sometimes be accompanied by pain, itching and burning. The medicine should be applied only to the tissue with papillomas, without affecting healthy skin.
Another effective tool for the removal of genital warts is considered to be Aldara cream. The medicine is applied to the warts at night, and in the morning its residues are washed off with water. The procedure is repeated about three times a week.
Methods for removing genital warts
There are other, more effective methods for removing genital warts:
- Neoplasms on the penis and in the anus are often removed with a radiosurgical knife. During the procedure, healthy tissues are not damaged, and the process itself is painless.
- Electrocoagulation - removal of papillomas by means of electric current. To date, papillomas are thus cauterized in the anus. Unfortunately, sometimes after the procedure, scars form on the skin.
- Cryodestruction is a simple and affordable technique, the essence of which is the treatment of warts with liquid nitrogen. The procedure is prescribed if it is necessary to remove diseased neoplasms or the "cock's comb".
- Laser removal is by far the safest, but also the most expensive procedure.
All of the above methods do not require a long rehabilitation period. Moreover, during the procedures there is no contact with the patient’s blood - all damaged vessels are immediately cauterized, which minimizes the likelihood of bacterial infection.
Are folk remedies effective?
You already know how genital warts in men are treated. The initial stage of the disease is accompanied by the appearance of single neoplasms of a small size. Dealing with them at this stage is much easier. And many people are interested in questions about whether home remedies can be used for therapy. Traditional medicine, of course, offers a wide variety of recipes.
Some herbalists say that Kalanchoe is an effective remedy. Fresh leaves of the plant need to be crushed, with a mixture to cover the affected areas of the skin, cover with a gauze bandage on top. After 20 to 30 minutes, the remaining compress should be washed off.
You can remove warts with the help of celandine. Condylomas can be treated with fresh plant juice or a ready-made extract, which is sold in pharmacies. It is extremely important to apply the “medicine” only to the tissue of the neoplasm, without affecting healthy areas of the skin. The procedure can be repeated several times a day.
Effective are lotions from aloe juice (this plant is in almost every house).
You can handle growths with fresh juice of rowan berries.
Some people recommend cauterizing condylomas with regular iodine.
It should be understood that it is very dangerous to treat skin neoplasms on their own, especially when it comes to genital warts. If a person is infected with a dangerous strain of the virus that causes cancer, the inept use of drugs can trigger the onset of malignant tissue degeneration. First you need to pass all the tests and only after that proceed with therapy. Any home remedy for removing genital warts can be used only with the permission of the attending physician.
Relapse prevention: how to protect yourself?
In many males, genital warts form on the body. Treatment (both medical and surgical) will help eliminate the external manifestations of the disease. But it is impossible to cleanse the body of the virus, so there is always a risk of relapse. To avoid the appearance of new skin formations, it is worth adhering to some simple rules:
- during sexual intercourse, it is necessary to use barrier contraceptives;
- eat right, keep fit;
- twice a year to take a preventive course of vitamin therapy, as this helps to strengthen the immune system;
- carefully observe the rules of personal hygiene;
- to refuse from bad habits;
- at least once a year undergoes a complete medical examination even in the absence of any symptoms;
- treat infectious and inflammatory diseases on time, complete the course of treatment.
Genital warts can be easily removed, avoiding the development of complications. Therefore, when the first neoplasm appears, you need to contact a specialist. Self-medication is not worth it.