Genital warts are as painful as they are infectious. Some sub types of human papillomavirus are the cause behind such painful condition. However, human papillomavirus has many strains.  Ninety percent of genital warts are caused by strain 6 and 11. They spread through direct skin-to-skin contact during genital, oral or anal sex with infected partner. As a result, these warts, medically termed Condylomata acuminata, can appear near the anus or inside the mouth as well.

One good news is that although human papillomavirus causes cancer, those strains which causes genital warts do not cause cancer and vice versa. The bad news is that those who are infected with genital warts often do not know that he or she has been infected with human papillomavirus immediately. There can be a latent period before one grows clinically visible warts. However, human papillomavirus can keep on infecting others even in its latent state.

If you find that you have developed some warts in your genital area, do not come to conclusion that these warts are Condylomata acuminata. Instead of wondering what to do, go and see a doctor first. He will be able to tell you how to get rid of genital warts, if what you have is at all genital warts. Have it properly diagnosed.  If you have really developed Condylomata acuminata, there is nothing really to worry. Talk to your doctors and learn about the different methods of treating genital warts. This will enable you make an informed choice. You can also get information on how to get rid of genital warts from the internet.

Genital warts often occur in clusters. They can be tiny or can spread into large masses.  Often they look like small stalks or they can look like cauliflowers. They generally appear in the following areas:
1.    Inside or outside the vagina
2.    On the opening of the uterus
3.    Tip of the penis
4.    Shaft of the penis
5.    Scrotum
6.    Around the anus
7.    Inside the mouth or throat

Molluscum Contagiosum, Fordyce’s spots and Hirsuties papillaries genitalis also forms warts in the genital area. Hirsuties papillaries genitalis are not contagious and does not require any treatment. Fordyce’s spots are benign. Molluscum Contagiosum forms smaller warts than Condylomata acuminata and are usually umbilicated lesions. However, they do not form warts internally. You should also rule out Condylomata latum or syphilis before starting any kind of treatment for genital warts.

Genital wart cures include creams and lotions along with cryosurgery, laser ablation, surgical excision etc.  Talk to your family physician about it. Many people would rather suffer silently than to go and see a doctor because they find talking about genital warts very embarrassing. Let me tell you that there are at least 20 million people infected with HPV in U.S.A. alone. Moreover, 1% of sexually active adult in the U.S.A is suffering from genital warts. There is nothing to be embarrassed about.

The primary goal of the treatment is to remove visible warts. Sometimes of course, these warts resolve themselves, if left untreated. In cases they do not, application of genital wart remover becomes imperative. However, no available evidence suggests that one genital wart remover is superior to the other.

One of the popular methods of genital wart removal is using cryosurgery, also known as cryotherapy. In this process, the warts are frozen with liquid Nitrogen. It is typically used to remove cervical warts. Some other processes include electrocautery, surgical excision, laser ablation etc. None of this process can claim to be hundred percent effective. Recurrence of genital warts after a period of six months is very common.

On the other hand, creams and lotions are said to be more effective as genital wart cures. However, some of them produce side effects like fever, nausea, vomiting, confusion and even coma. 20% podophyllin anti-mitotic solution is one such drug that should be applied with care.  On the other hand, Alpha interferon is a drug produced from a chemical made in the body. It is directly injected in the warts and has no side effects. It is also quite effective in majority of the cases, though has failed in some. These drugs needs regular visit to the clinics, because they need to be applied by the doctor.

There are some good self-applied creams and lotions available in the market. Some of them like imiquimod or podofilox are prescription drugs. Lotions like Watrol, Dermisil or Heal Wart can be had on line and are said to be very good homeopathic drugs that can cure genital warts from the root. Therefore, once these drugs remove a wart, it does not appear any more.