Genital warts are a type of STD (sexually transmitted disease) and are caused by a virus called human papilloma virus (HPV). This virus can cause the genital warts on the vulva, penis, vagina, urethra, cervix and some places around the anus. Generally, the genital warts are very harmless, but some strands of the virus are believed to cause cancer in human beings. Some of the genital warts are not visible and some are visible to the naked eye. External warts are often not visible due to the pubic hair.

When the genital warts are hidden below the pubic hair, it is very difficult for the doctor to make a proper diagnosis. Most often the genital warts appear in singles or in clusters. When the genital warts are in clusters they give the appearance of cauliflowers. If the genital warts are not treated immediately, they will start to increase and then they will cause a lot of discomfort. Tight undergarments may sometimes not be advisable if you are having genital warts. Instead you may have to wear slightly loose undergarments made of natural fabric like cotton.

A proper diagnosis is very important to find out if you actually have genital warts and not pimples. Some times if the genital warts are microscopic, the doctors may not be able to see them with the naked eyes. In such cases, the doctors use a technique called colposcopy.  In this method, the doctor makes a direct inspection of the upper surface of the patient’s genital area, by using a binocular microscope and a light source such as a torch. Doctors will not start the treatment of genital warts until and unless they have confirmed the presence of genital warts.

The treatment of genital warts is a very specialized process and may involve strong medications and even surgical interventions. So, if the patient is just suffering from pimples and he or she is treated for genital warts, then there will be adverse effects on the patient’s health. Sometimes, the doctors may also apply dilute acetic acid to the genital area to view the genital warts. After the confirmation of genital warts, the doctors will start the treatment of genital warts immediately and they will not waste any time.

The initial treatment option that the doctors may try out for the cure of genital warts is medication. Most medications for genital warts are available in the form for creams or gels. During the initial treatment, the patient may have to visit the doctor several times. It makes good sense for the patient to select a doctor who is close to the residence to save on time and traveling cost. Some of the medications that are applied on the genital area of the patient may cause burning sensation, so the patient needs to be aware of the facts.

The genital wart cream can be either applied by the doctor or the patients themselves. The genital wart cream may or may not have significant effects on the genital warts. Usually, the doctor will give you a time frame for the medication treatment. By the end of the time frame, if the genital warts have not disappeared or dissolved, then the doctor may start with another treatment option. During the medication treatment, if the patients are trying out any other alternative treatment option, then they need to tell that to their doctors.

Most alternative treatments are either home remedies or herbal treatments of genital warts. These alternative treatments may or may not interfere with the regular doctor’s treatment. After the medication treatments, if the genital warts reappear, then the doctor may try the same treatment methods. If the genital warts are reappearing very frequently, then the doctors may recommend surgical methods. Some of the surgical methods give long term relief from the genital warts and the possibility of reoccurrence is very less.

The cure for genital warts is not possible by surgical methods, because these methods do not kill the virus that causes the genital warts. This fact will be clearly told by the doctors to the patients suffering from genital warts. Common treatments methods for genital warts are as follows:
-    Laser therapy
-    Cryosurgery
-    Electrocauterization
-    Physical excision