How to Treat Genital Warts in Men

Genital warts are small, cauliflower-like bumps that appear on the skin. Although the disease can affect both men and women, men can develop warts on the testicles, penis, thighs, and groin area. ^{[1] X Credible Resources Centers for Disease Contrp and Prevention Go to the source} This disease is caused by a very common virus, the human papillomavirus (HPV), of which there are more than 100. Most cases cause no symptoms other than itching, pain, or occasional bleeding. ^{[2] X Reliable Resource Centers for Disease Contrp and Prevention Go to the source} The two most dangerous types of HPV are HPV 16 and 18, which have a high risk of cancer, but the most common are HPV 6 and 11. The virus is transmitted through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral contact. You can also see HPV lesions in/around the mouth, lips, anus, tongue, nose, eyes, and throat. The HPV vaccine is an effective way to prevent the disease. Vaccination against HPV in men not only helps prevent the spread of HPV to women, but also protects against related diseases and cancer. ^{[3] X Trusted Source Centers for Disease Contrp and Prevention Go to source}

Table of Contents

Recognizing Genital Warts

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Consider risk factors. Certain behaviors can put you at higher risk of contracting HPV. Ask yourself the following questions, as your doctor will most likely ask the same questions when you visit: ^{[4] X Trusted Source American Cancer Society Go to source}

How many sex partners do you have? The more sexual partners you have, the more likely you are to catch the virus.
Do you use condoms? This means of protection helps reduce the possibility of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, including HPV.
How old are you? Genital warts are more common in adolescents and young adults.
Do you have a serious infection or cancer, or are you taking medications that compromise your immune system? Infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS reduce the body’s ability to fight infection. Blood cancers like leukemia cause immune cells to change and become dysfunctional. Steroid medications also gradually weaken the immune system.
Have you noticed any skin lesions on your genitals? Breaks in the skin allow the virus to enter the body.
Are you circumcised? Uncircumcised men are more likely to contract HPV and pass it on to their sexual partners.

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Distinguish symptoms from other diseases/infections. Genital warts can be confused with other illnesses, so it’s best to make an appointment with your doctor for an accurate diagnosis. Notice the following characteristics to distinguish at home:

HPV warts are skin-colored lesions. Blisters containing fluid that are redder are likely genital herpes.
HPV warts do not contain fluid and do not rupture. Genital herpes blisters are painful and can rupture – forming sores – and drain before healing. An ulcer (open skin lesion) on the penis can also be a sign of early syphilis. Syphilis sores are usually painless.
While occasional pain, pain and itching are more commonly associated with herpes and genital warts.
Other symptoms — including a red rash on the palms of the hands and feet, white patches in the mouth and genitals, fever, hair loss and sore throat — could be signs of syphilis in its early stages. second, in addition to genital warts.
Small beads that appear around the glans penis that are skin-colored, red, yellow, pink, or clear can be “penis pearls” and are completely harmless. This phenomenon is considered a normal difference of penile skin and is not contagious. ^{[5] X Research Sources}
Non-concave HPV warts. Pimples can be a sign of a viral infection called molluscum contagiosum. Molluscum contagiosum can also be a sign of HIV infection.

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Go to a doctor. Visiting a doctor is the best way to diagnose genital warts. Your doctor will also help you decide on the most appropriate treatment. Genital warts usually go away within a few months, and about 90% of cases go away in 2 years if left untreated. ^{[6] X Trusted Source World Health Organization Go to Source} Sometimes a doctor will not prescribe any treatment other than waiting to see if the disease improves, or if additional bothersome symptoms appear. If you do not want to go to the doctor, watch for the following warts:

Increase size
Increasing the number
Grows in other areas of the body
Development of other characteristic symptoms such as itching, pain, bleeding in the warts, hair loss, fever, white patches in the mouth and genital area, sores on the penis, sore throat. As mentioned above, syphilis can cause warts and should be detected and treated early. Syphilis can lead to nerve problems if left untreated.
Age and cancer – HPV is responsible for about 63% of penile cancers in the United States. The average age of patients diagnosed with the disease is 68, but there are also cases when the disease develops as early as the age of 30. ^{[7] X Trusted Source Centers for Disease Contrp and Prevention Go to the source} Go to the doctor Seek immediate medical attention if you notice other symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, penile bleeding, lumps on the penis, rash, thickened skin of the penis, foul discharge. ^{[8] X Trusted Source American Cancer Society Go to Source}

Treatment of genital warts with medicine

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Avoid over-the-counter medications. You should not apply any over-the-counter medications to the genital area. The skin in this area is very sensitive and fragile, and applying chemicals to your skin when you are untrained and not properly trained can lead to damage.

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Go to a doctor. Your doctor will examine your warts and other areas of your body to see if there are any other warts. Your doctor may apply a small amount of trichloroacetic acid solution to the affected area. This solution will whiten the wart to make it more visible, and also work to remove the wart. You can talk to your doctor and get advice about treatment options.

Treatments are based on many factors, including the size and number of warts, the area affected, previous treatments, and whether the disease has recurred.
You should also keep in mind that there is no way to treat the virus, but only to remove the wart.

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Ask about immune response modifiers. This medication increases immune proteins in the body to help get rid of warts. This group of drugs has many types, including: ^{[9] X Research Source}

Imiquimod — Your doctor will apply 5% imiquimod cream to the affected area, and then prescribe it for you. When you get home, you’ll wear disposable gloves to apply the cream before bed. When you wake up the next morning (6-10 hours after applying the medicine), wash it off with soap and water. Apply 3 times per week for 16 weeks.
Interferon alpha — The doctor will inject 3 million IU (international units) of interferon into the base of the wart. You will receive injections 3 times per week for the next 3 weeks. Larger warts may require more injections. After 4-8 weeks, the warts should disappear. If the warts are still present after 12-16 weeks, your doctor may recommend a second course of treatment.

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Ask about cytotoxic drug options. This medicine can destroy the warts and stop them from spreading. However, the drug can also damage healthy skin. If you drop the medicine or accidentally apply it to healthy skin, wash it off immediately with soap and water. Side effects may include pain, irritation, itching, and redness. Options include: ^{[10] X Research Sources}

Podofilox — This drug is suitable for the treatment of lesions smaller than 10 cm². To make sure you are taking the correct dose, your doctor will instruct you on how much and how to apply it. Use a cotton swab if the medication is liquid or your finger if it is a gel to apply to the affected area. Apply twice a day for 3 consecutive days, then take a 4 day break without applying the medicine. Repeat this process for up to 4 weeks.
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and bichloracetic acid (BCA) are medications that are applied directly by a doctor. The doctor will use a cotton ball to dab acid on the wart. You will be recommended weekly treatment for about 4-6 weeks. This is one of the most common treatments.
Podophyllin — This is a medicine that doctors apply to warts that are smaller than 10 centimeters. The doctor will apply a small amount of medicine to the affected area. You will be advised to leave the application area open to dry and not to come in contact with clothing. The first application should be left open for 30-40 minutes. In subsequent treatments, you can wait 1-4 hours, then wash off with soap and water. This medication can be applied weekly for up to 6 weeks.
This medicine is not for use by people who are pregnant or may become pregnant. You need to limit contact with female sexual partners.
5-Fluorouracil — Your doctor may apply the first dose or prescribe it for you. Use a cotton swab to dab the medicine on the affected area 1-3 times a week. Only a small amount should be used. Leave the cream open to dry and not stain the clothes. Wash off with soap and water after 3-10 hours (depending on prescription).
Sinecatechins — These are green tea extracts that your doctor may prescribe for you. Use your fingers to apply a thin layer of 15% ointment to the affected area. Apply 3 times a day for 6 weeks or until warts disappear. Do not wash off the medicine, avoid sex.

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Learn home remedies. There are several home remedies to get rid of warts, although medical research is still lacking. According to naturopaths, you can use plant-based creams such as aloe and vitamin A, C, and E supplements ^{. [11] X Source} You should talk to naturopathic doctor.

These treatments aim to correct nutritional deficiencies, thereby helping the immune system fight off warts. In addition, many have antioxidants that help fight infection.

Consider surgery options

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Consult your doctor about surgical options. Your doctor may recommend surgery if you have a large number of warts or a large area of skin is damaged. Your doctor may also recommend one of the options below if the disease recurs more than once.

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Ask about cryosurgery. This is a method of using liquid nitrogen to freeze the fluid inside the wart and destroy the cells that form the wart. ^{[12] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to the source} The doctor will clean the wart area with alcohol swabs and apply a tool containing liquid nitrogen to the wart until 5mm margin. The surrounding is frozen. The skin will be frozen for another 30 seconds until it turns white, and the skin will disappear after the thawing time. If the pain is tolerable, the doctor will perform another course of treatment.

Within 24 hours, a small sac containing the fluid will form on the treated skin. An additional treatment can be performed over 1-2 weeks if needed. ^{[13] X Trusted Source American Academy of Dermatpogy Go to Source}
After 2-4 treatments for 6-12 weeks, 75-80% of patients are completely cured of warts. ^{[14] X Research Source}
The procedure can be performed with commercially available kits, but healthcare professionals recommend that patients see their doctor for the procedure.

Steps

Recognizing Genital Warts

Treatment of genital warts with medicine

Consider surgery options

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