What Are My Choices for Genital Warts Treatment?

You should also keep in mind that various factors will affect doctor recommendations, including the location of the wart and its size. For instance, small warts benefit from freezing (cryosurgery), burning (electrocautery), and laser treatments, while larger or stubborn genital warts usually require surgery for complete removal. Common treatment options for warts affecting the genital region is found below:

• Imiquimod (Aldera) – This topical cream aims to modify immune responses, which is directly applied to the wart and surrounding regions. Aldera provides a decent outlet for people looking to avoid a surgical procedure. In most patients, warts disappear between 8 and 12 weeks with some patients experiencing results as early as four weeks. Some individuals may experience a skin reaction or other side effects, such as headache, swollen lymph nodes, fungal infections, or flu-like symptoms.

• 5% Flouroracil Cream (5-FU) – Commonly known as a cancer treatment, this cream treats skin conditions with anti-scarring agents. On the market – the product is referred to as Efudex, Carac, and Fluoroplex. Adverse side effects include dermatitis, diarrhea, cardiac toxicity, myelosuppression (may affect bone marrow), and mucositis (painful inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract).

• .5% Podofilox Solution – This solution is applied to affected areas in an effort to eradicate warts. Podofilox also comes in a gel-form for genital wart treatment. A patient will most likely encounter mild side effects with this approach, including burning, pain, itching, swelling, and redness. Since Podofilox is easy to use, harmless, and relatively affordable – patients are able to apply the solution or gel to affected regions on their own. However, pregnant women should not use this treatment method, as it is absorbed into the skin and can cause birth defects.

• Pulsed Dye Laser – Comprised of an organic dye (liquid solution) that serves as the medium for the laser, this method is known to produce a better outcome over gases or solid lasers, which are known to greatly disperse HPV particles to other parts of the body. This approach also delivers an even tone to skin.

• Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA) – A solution containing TCA has a history of removing tattoos and treating warts such as genital formations. However, be aware that this remedy can destroy normal cells as well, but is yet considered safe for pregnant women to use.

• Cauterization – A physician may choose to burn warts using techniques like electrocautery or chemical cautery. Electrocauterization is often called 'electrosurgery' or 'electric surgery' and involves the process of destroying tissue using electric currents. These processes have proven rather helpful in the removal of small skin lesions, such as warts. Doctors often use components like silver nitrate and cantharidin (an extract of the blister beetle) for cauterization.

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