Genital warts usually cause no symptoms. Sometimes genital warts will itch and bleed. Some people will report pain with genital warts. Women who have warts inside the vagina may experience vaginal discharge, pain with intercourse and pain with urination.
HPV is often diagnosed by just a visual inspection by the doctor. The strain of HPV that causes genital warts is generally not the same strain that causes cancer. But you can be infected with different strains at the same time. Women are at the highest risk because it has now been determined that 100% of all cervical cancers are caused by infection with the HPV virus. HPV of the cervix can be detected by routine PAP tests. Women who are infected with strains of HPV that can cause cancer will be told their PAP test is abnormal. At this time, your doctor may decide to do some DNA testing to determine if you have the specific strains of HPV that causes cervical cancer. HPV 16 and HPV 18 are responsible for 70% of all cervical cancers. When your doctor performs a DNA screening test, he will take a few cells from the cervix, just as he would during a PAP test. These cells are then sent to the laboratory for analysis. There are no specific DNA testing for men available at this time. Genital warts treatment may vary depending upon the location of the warts and the severity of the infection. Men may be able to treat their genital warts easily at home by applying tea tree oil or apple cider vinegar to the visible warts. After a few applications, the warts should disappear. Genital warts treatment for women is more complicated. Since these warts may be inside the vagina and on the cervix applying apple cider vinegar or tea tree oil is not an option. Women who have genital warts will need to see their doctor for treatment. The doctor may have to use specially formulated medications to freeze the warts off. Warts on the cervix may need to be burnt off with a laser or other type of equipment. It is extremely important for women who are infected with HPV to have a PAP test every year, unless their doctor tells them otherwise. There are homeopathic solutions available that claim to eliminate genital warts. These homeopathic remedies are made from natural ingredients. They can contain specific plant extracts or essential oils that have been tested and proven to be a successful genital warts treatment. You can order homeopathic treatments online or you may be able to find a good homeopathic practitioner in your area. Genital warts should be taken seriously. If you are sexually active it is critical that you routinely check yourself for genital warts. If warts are present, start a genital warts treatment right away.