How are Genital Warts and Cervical Cancer Connected?
The HPV virus or papillomavirus is a minute virus that has the ability to infect certain areas of skin and is the source of genital warts in women. These warts can form either in a group, or cluster as its known, or as just a single bump. Shaped like cauliflowers, these genital warts can be found around the vagina or anus of women who have been affected by the disease.
The majority of HPV types are comparatively harmless and can be treated just like any other irritating skin disorder but in some extreme situations, the HPV has actually been proven to cause cervical cancer. It is these that are considered to be the high risk warts and have the ability to actually alter the structure of the cell in the uterus’ opening (the cervix), or around the anus area, causing cancer. Women sufferers of genital warts are hence strongly advised to have regular PAP smear tests, at least every six months. Another problem for women affected by HPV is trouble in trying to get pregnant, so therefore they are more likely to require infertility treatment.
Although genital warts can appear as small bumps, sometimes they may be hard to see so some women, who have the warts but cannot see them, may experience a burning, itching or even a tender sensation in the genital area. Some HPV induced genital warts that are found inside the vagina, can cause a woman to bleed after having sex or could experience a discharge from the vagina. Some very rare occurrences of warts around the urethral opening have been known to cause problems with bleeding or urination. Certain women who have HPV may only experience one outbreak of genital warts whereas in other situations, outbreaks could occur regularly.
There are a variety of treatments for genital warts, but almost all mean applying some type of topical cream. A few treatments have to be done at your local doctor’s while others can be done in the home. There isn’t a recognized cure for genital warts at the time of writing this article so if a woman becomes infected with HPV, it will stay with her permanently. Getting prompt treatment however may help in preventing the disease infecting a sexual partner.