^

Health

A
A
A

Condyloma

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
 
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

Condyloma is a growth on the surface of the skin caused by the papillomavirus.

The most common is Condyloma acuminatum or pointed condyloma. As a rule, its localization is the human genitals, vagina or penis. Less often, condyloma appears in the anus.

trusted-source[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ], [ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ], [ 9 ]

Routes of infection

It is no coincidence that the papilloma virus has the designation “human”, that is, it can only develop in the human body and be transmitted through human contact. The main route of infection, as in many STDs - sexually transmitted diseases, is sexual. It does not matter what kind of sexual contact it is - heterosexual or homosexual, anal, oral. Condyloma does not recognize such restrictions and moral standards. Even when using a condom, if one of the partners is a virus carrier, the second one falls into the high-risk zone of infection, since physical contact is still inevitable. As a rule, people with reduced, weakened immunity, prone to stress and not observing a full regime of nutrition, rest and sleep become infected. Children can be infected with condyloma at the time of birth, when they pass through the mother's birth canal infected with the virus. For children, the human papilloma virus is as dangerous as for adults, since age limits are not an obstacle for the virus.

Causes of condylomas

The papillomavirus can cause not only condyloma, but also other types and subtypes of its manifestation, of which there are more than 100 today. Papillomas, condylomas affect humanity at an alarming rate, often developing into a malignant form. The most favorable in terms of treatment effectiveness are pointed condylomas, which are transmitted most often sexually, including during protected sexual intercourse, that is, during skin contact.

trusted-source[ 10 ], [ 11 ], [ 12 ], [ 13 ], [ 14 ]

Symptoms of condyloma

Feelings of discomfort, itching during defecation, if the condyloma grows in the anal area.

Pain during sexual intercourse when the condyloma is subject to mechanical trauma, becomes inflamed and often bleeds.

Flat condylomas are asymptomatic.

Asymptomatic development of condylomas is very common, especially if they grow in the rectum, vagina, urethra or cervix. That is why it is important to undergo a preventive examination every year - urological or gynecological. Early detection of condylomas is the key to their rapid and effective treatment.

Types of condylomas

Condyloma can manifest itself in different forms, be different in shape and size.

Condyloma acuminatum is a pinkish growth that is usually located in several pieces. The virus can spread very quickly, so a group of small condylomas grows and transforms into one large condyloma. A striking example of a giant formation is the Buschke-Levenshtein condyloma. This type of condyloma affects young and old people. In men, a giant condyloma is localized in the foreskin area, in women it is less common and is located on the skin of the genitals in the clitoris area. This condyloma is considered a precancerous neoplasm, as it can penetrate soft tissues, provoke fistulas, ulcers and degenerate into squamous cell cancer.

Flat condyloma is most often located in the mucous tissue of the urethra, on the cervix. It is very difficult to diagnose, since even with a visual gynecological examination, it is difficult to see a flat condyloma. Over the course of several years, the condyloma can gradually grow without causing obvious clinical symptoms until it provokes an oncological process in the cervix.

Wide condylomas, which grow on the genitals of both men and women, have a syphilitic etiology and are not subject to antiviral treatment, since they are not provoked by the papillomavirus.

Also, condyloma is divided into risk groups, which are determined by differentiating the type of virus:

  • High risk is HPV (human papillomavirus) 16, 18, 31, 33, 35. These types of virus can provoke oncological processes in the uterus (cervix).
  • Low or medium risk – these are viruses of type 6 and type 11, which are treated more effectively and relapses of condylomas are practically non-existent.

Treatment of condyloma

The treatment method is chosen by the attending physician after diagnosis and all diagnostic procedures. As a rule, the choice is made between destruction or chemical removal of condylomas. If the condyloma is single and detected at an early stage, it can be removed by cauterization with special drugs - solcoderm, podophyllin, the use of condylin is also indicated as a drug that stops proliferation. Local treatment is applications or irrigation with a spray - Epigen, which has a powerful antiviral effect. Previously, lubrication of condylomas with ordinary oxolinic ointment was practiced, now this drug is not the preferred drug due to its weak effect. The use of rectal drugs against HPV is indicated. Condyloma is amenable to the action of genferon, panavir. Cycloferon is prescribed in tablet form, which is also effective in the form of a liniment applied locally to condylomas. In addition to local therapy methods, immunostimulating treatment with isoprinosine is carried out.

Extensive growths are removed by cryodestruction using liquid nitrogen. Laser technology is also effective in removing them, and electrocoagulation is effective.

The so-called "home" or folk methods of removing viral growths are possible only in the case of irrefutable evidence that the condyloma is benign. Among the most effective means is cauterization of condylomas with celandine tincture or propolis tincture. The effect of these means is similar to the effect of cauterization, when the condyloma gradually dries up and separates on its own.

Condyloma can recur even after treatment, since once the human papilloma virus enters the body, it remains there forever. However, its activity can be controlled in fairly simple ways:

  • Maintain good health and strengthen your own immune system.
  • Follow all the rules of a healthy lifestyle.
  • Be extremely careful in sexual contacts and avoid casual sex. Although a condom cannot always protect against condylomas, it can nevertheless protect a person from other STIs.

If the condyloma has reappeared, a relapse has occurred, you need to see a doctor. The sooner treatment is started, the faster the process of HPV spreading throughout the body will stop.

More information of the treatment

Drugs

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.