Female Genital Warts:
Genital Warts Common Infection in Women

Genital warts in females, commonly referred to as venereal warts, is an extremely contagious sexually transmitted infection caused by strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that infects the female reproductive tract and external genital and/or anal areas.

Female genital warts infection is usually discovered when a Pap smear is returned abnormal, but a diagnosis of genital warts can be made by a visual examination of the genital area by a medical professional.

Transmission of Genital Warts in Women

Genital warts typically spread through direct skin-to-skin contact during genital, oral, or anal sex with an infected person. (Read more about transmission of genital warts.) Transmission of the warts by hand may occur rarely.

During sexual intercourse, viral particles of the HPV virus are able to penetrate the skin through either microscopic abrasions or mucosal surfaces. HPV may undergo a latency period where it remains dormant in an infected person for many months or even years before outward symptoms of the infection are observed.

Some women may carry the virus for their entire lifetime without showing any symptoms; however, they can still transmit HPV to unsuspecting partners.

What Do Female Genital Warts Look Like?

Genital warts in women may appear in a clustered formation, be very tiny, or may form large masses of warts in the genital region. Some women may have only a small wart or two, while others may develop a very painful cluster of warts that rubs against their clothing which causes irritation and possible bleeding. These warts can form either outside the body on the vaginal and/or anal areas, as well as inside the body on the cervix or uterus. (Pictures of female genital warts here.)

Genital warts have been found (in rare instances) in the mouth or throat of women who have performed oral sex on someone who is infected.

Genital Warts Treatment in Women

Although female genital warts may disappear on their own without treatment, consultation with a gynecologist or other medical professional is necessary. Various treatment options for genital warts are highly effective in treating the outward symptoms of the infection.

Topical creams and medications are the most common forms of treatment, probably because it is the least expensive. Genital warts are also commonly removed by laser, or by applying TCA (which is an acid solution) to dissolve the wart, or by “freezing” the wart. Another option, which is very expensive but effective, is the use of the drug Interferon, which is injected into the wart’s base.

Alternative methods, such as homeopathic Genital Warts Relief formula, have shown to be very helpful.

How to Prevent Transmission of
Genital Warts in Women?

It is important to remember that although the warts can be removed, the HPV virus that causes them still remains active in the body, which means that a repeat outbreak is likely. Traditional scientific belief holds that the virus remains in the body for life, although recent studies suggest it may be suppressed to an undetectable level.

The best way to prevent genital warts or to keep from spreading the virus from person to person is to maintain a monogamous relationship. The use of condoms can further prevent the spread of the disease.

Women who have had genital warts or are currently undergoing treatment for the condition should take care to get a Pap smear at least once a year.

Certain strains have been linked to up to 70% off all cervical cancer cases. A Pap smear, when performed correctly, can detect cervical cancer in its earliest stages, which is important factor in surviving the disease.