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Venereal Wart Infection - Human Papillomavirus Infection in Females


Treatment & Monitoring

What are the treatments for the infection?

Treatment of human papilloma virus does not necessarily cure the infection. The virus may still be present in the cells around the genital region. It often is not detected until a wart occurs or the woman has an abnormal Pap smear. The main methods of treatment are as follows:

  • surgical removal of the warts with a scalpel
  • loop electrosurgical excision procedure, or LEEP, which is a procedure that uses an electrical current to remove the warts
  • cryotherapy, which uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the warts
  • laser surgery, which uses laser beams to vaporize the warts
  • electrocautery, or burning of the warts
  • chemical treatments of external warts. A chemical such as podophyllin may be used once or twice a week for 6 weeks or until the warts disappear. The warts commonly come back after this kind of treatment.
  • antiviral therapy, which often involves injection of a biological response modifier such as interferon. This chemical is injected directly into a wart to prevent the virus.
  • 5-fluorouracil intravaginal cream, which can be applied to external vaginal warts. This treatment causes significant burning and pain and is rarely used today.
  • What are the side effects of the treatments?

    During cryotherapy, women often feel cramping and pelvic discomfort. For about a month afterward, they may have a great deal of watery vaginal discharge.

    Laser surgery, LEEP, and other procedures may cause the following:

  • foul-smelling vaginal discharge
  • cervicitis, or inflammation of the cervical tissue
  • bleeding
  • an allergic reaction to any local anesthesia used during the procedure
  • What happens after treatment for the infection?

    Additional treatment may be necessary over weeks or months because of high rates of recurrence. In addition, a woman should tell her sexual partners about the problem to prevent possible spread to others. Regular Pap smears are also important to detect any abnormal cells or cancer of the cervix.

    How is the infection monitored?

    Being screened for HPV infection every year, or any time there is a new sexual partner, is a good practice. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported to the healthcare provider.


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