Acute condylomas in women

Pointed condylomas are a papillomavirus infectious disease, one of the most common infections of the genital tract. Pointed condylomas in women are often the cause of cervical erosion. Moreover, the papillomavirus, which causes the formation of condylomas, can later cause the development of cervical cancer.

Pointed condylomas are an insidious and serious disease, so it is extremely important to detect it in time and immediately begin treatment. In this article, we will consider all the most important aspects of this pathology that every woman should know about.

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Causes of genital warts in women

The causative agent of the disease – the human papilloma virus – is quite common. It can provoke the appearance of other equally serious diseases. Currently, more than a hundred types of this pathogen have been identified, and each type can cause different pathologies in the body. For example, papilloma virus No. 1 contributes to the appearance of plantar warts; virus No. 16, 18, 35 and some others stimulate the development of cervical dysplasia; virus No. 6 and No. 11 provoke the appearance of pointed condylomas.

The virus usually enters a person through contact with infected skin and mucous membranes. The disease is not transmitted through household items. When infected, the virus settles on the skin or mucous membrane of a person, without penetrating the bloodstream or other organ systems.

The virus is capable of reproducing: this process occurs deep under the skin, in the intracellular space. As the viruses mature, they leave the deep layers, coming out. After this, they are already considered infectious.

As a rule, the virus is transmitted from person to person through sexual contact (during vaginal and anal sex), less often – through oral contact. The disease is widespread, regardless of the standard of living and social status.

According to statistics, every second person on the planet who is sexually active is infected with some type of papilloma virus, and often the same patient has several types of the pathogen at the same time.

A person who has already developed symptoms of the disease is especially dangerous. But, unfortunately, the virus may not manifest itself for a long time. The disease is latent and may not be detected for several months or even years. And only when the immune defense is weakened do certain characteristic symptoms develop.

Symptoms of Genital Warts in Women

The incubation period of acuminate condyloma can last from 1 month to 1 year, most often about 3 months. Condylomas are small neoplasms of a pinkish-pale shade, “planted” on an unchangeable base - a thin thread or a short leg. From a distance, they look like a small wart, a cauliflower inflorescence or a comb. In some cases, condylomas are located singly, in others they can be located multiple, but isolated. In women, condylomas can transform into large tumors.

Pointed condylomas in women can be located on the external genitalia, along the urethra, in the vaginal cavity, in the cervix, in the groin and near the anus. When the process is localized in the urethra, symptoms of chronic urethritis may occur: discomfort when urinating, pain in the lower abdomen, aching pain in the groin area. At the same time, externally located genitalia may be affected.

In the vaginal cavity, pointed condylomas are often found in pregnant women. The formations can reach quite large sizes, even blocking the vaginal entrance and the external opening of the urethra.

In the cervix area, the formations may merge with each other and form growths of a pastel or yellowish hue. Such mergers may block the entire surface of the entrance to the uterus.

Candiloma in women becomes more dangerous when giant-sized formations form, penetrating deep into the tissues and destroying them.

In some situations (especially during pregnancy), the symptoms of genital warts in women develop very quickly, with the size of the growths increasing significantly within just a few weeks. In the folds between the growths, vaginal discharge accumulates, then the decomposition of these accumulations begins, which can eventually provoke the appearance of an extremely uncomfortable odor from the vagina and inflammation of its walls.

Extensive candidiasis in women can spread to the labia majora and minora, covering the entrance to the vagina, with a transition to the inguinal-femoral folds. In some cases, they can be found in the intergluteal region and near the anus.

During the formation of condylomas, the symptoms of the disease may not manifest themselves. Often, patients notice something is wrong only when the formations grow rapidly, which manifests itself in the appearance of pronounced discharge (which often irritates the skin of the vagina and external genitalia), as well as an itching and burning sensation in the vagina.

Clinical symptoms of pointed condylomas in women can largely depend on the location of the process: some signs can be detected during urination, others - during sexual intercourse, and others - during defecation. Giant condylomas can not only interfere with the listed processes, but also prevent a woman from moving normally. However, this situation is already considered a very advanced case.

Diagnosis of genital warts in women

Diagnosis of genital warts in women is carried out primarily on the basis of the clinical picture inherent to the disease.

Formations located in the urethra are detected only by urethroscopy. First of all, pointed condylomas should be distinguished from broad condylomas, which are a sign of secondary syphilis. The difference between these formations is that broad condylomas are located on a wide base. They are dense and not prone to bleeding. If there are doubts, then they resort to examining the discharge for pale treponema and do a serological analysis for syphilis.

As a rule, for a more complete diagnosis of pointed condylomas in women, a consultation with such specialists as a dermatovenerologist, urologist and gynecologist is carried out. In some cases, a surgeon's consultation may be required.

The doctor will usually issue a referral for a blood test for both the patient and her sexual partner: the most common sexually transmitted diseases should be tested, including AIDS. The patient herself may also be referred for a colposcopy and cytological examination of the cervix.

A specific method for determining the papilloma virus is the polymerase chain reaction, which can be used to determine the DNA of the virus. However, this method is not always informative: the virus may not be detected if the disease is in a "dormant" state.

Treatment of genital warts in women

Treatment of pointed condylomas in women can be carried out conservatively and surgically. A 50% solution of resorcinol has a cauterizing effect, as well as lubrication of formations with an ointment containing xeroform, resorcinol (5 g each) and 5% tebrofen ointment (10 g). The use of the ointment can be combined with washing with a solution of novarsenol. Such treatment continues for about 1 month.

A good effect is observed when introducing an interferon solution (1 thousand units in 1 ml of water for injection) directly into the “landing site” of the condylomas, with combined treatment with fluorouracil ointment (5%).

If the growths are in the lumen of the urethra, fluorouracil is administered intracanally. The following medications can also be used:

• 1% bonafthone ointment;
• 0.5% colchamine ointment;
• 5% tebrofen ointment;
• 3% oxolinic ointment.

Ointments are used 2-3 times a day for 1 month. Arsenic-based products in dimexide are also considered effective.

In some cases, Ferezol is applied to the affected surface. The application is repeated approximately once a week until the necrotic formation has completely fallen off. 4-5 applications are allowed.

The following remedy has a positive effect and should be applied to condylomas twice a day: prospidin 0.2 g, saline solution 1 ml, adrenaline 0.1% 1 ml, dimexide 8 ml.

During the treatment period, it is necessary to abstain from sexual intercourse until full control over the situation is restored.

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Removal of genital warts in women

In order to prevent malignant transformation of condylomas, the formations are often removed, regardless of their location and size. Condylomas are difficult to treat conservatively, and science has never recorded cases of self-healing of this disease.

There are quite a few methods for removing condylomas. The removed elements are necessarily examined by histology to clearly determine the absence of cancerous degeneration.

• The cryosurgical method (a procedure of topical action using liquid nitrogen) has a number of advantages over other procedures. When using this method, general or local anesthesia is not required. In addition, even those condylomas that have responded poorly to conservative treatment can be treated with the procedure. This method is not recommended if the patient plans to have children in the future.
• Diathermocoagulation – usually used to remove condylomas located on the cervix. If there are few formations, then one procedure is enough. In case of more severe lesions, 2-3 procedures are performed. It is not recommended for use if the patient plans to have a child in the future.
• Surgical treatment – after disinfecting the affected area and administering local anesthesia, the condylomas are removed using special scissors or a scalpel. After this, a pressure bandage is applied to the wound for about a week.
• Laser coagulation is a procedure that involves the impact of a directed beam of laser radiation on growths. As a result, the tissue of the growth evaporates, and in their place there remains only a thin dry crust, which falls off over time.
• The radio wave surgery method involves the use of a radio knife (Surgitron equipment), which allows for the quick and painless removal of unwanted neoplasms.

When planning a method for removing condylomas, it is important to consider some accompanying factors: the patient's age, the degree of neglect of the process, the presence of other diseases of the genital area, the presence of sources of infection in the body, the woman's desire to have children in the future. All these points should be taken into account by the doctor when choosing the most optimal method for treating genital warts.

Prevention of genital warts in women

In order to protect yourself from the virus that causes genital warts, you need to follow simple but very important rules:

• adhere to personal hygiene and sanitation standards – take a shower regularly, change your underwear, and do not use other people’s bath accessories;
• avoid casual sexual contact;
• If you are not sure about the safety of sexual intercourse, be sure to use a condom, and a high-quality one;
• Do not allow your immune system to weaken: dress according to the weather, do not get too cold, give up bad habits such as smoking or drinking alcohol, avoid stressful situations, eat well and get enough rest.

Moderate and regular exercise, good nutrition, and a healthy lifestyle always help strengthen the immune system, which will help avoid many health problems, including viral infections.

In the winter-spring period, when immunity is reduced due to a lack of vitamins in the diet, you can use multivitamin complex preparations (Alphavit, Complevit, Vitrum, etc.), as well as some immunostimulants (Immunal, Immunomax, Echinacea, etc.).

Prognosis of genital warts in women

Unfortunately, if the human papilloma virus has already entered the body, it is not yet possible to get rid of it. Despite many therapeutic methods, it is impossible to completely eliminate the pathology.

Of course, science does not stand still, and recently the newest medications for the treatment of genital warts have been presented. For example, scientists recently presented a new type of vaccination against the papilloma virus: such a vaccine is called Gardasil. However, experimental studies of the drug's effects have not yet been completed, so it has not yet been fully studied. Although it is already used quite widely, including in our country.

However, even without using a vaccine, you can control the disease if you adhere to all prevention methods, undergo qualified treatment in a timely manner, and periodically visit a doctor for a preventive examination. In no case should you self-medicate: remember that the disease can change its course to malignant at any time.

Pointed condylomas in women require competent and immediate treatment: only in this case can one count on the most favorable prognosis for the disease.