What Do Vaginal Warts Look Like?

What Are Vaginal Warts?

Vaginal warts are abnormal growths found in the vagina. They are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). HPV is responsible for warts all over the body. Certain strains affect the skin, whereas others affect the mucosal tissues, such as the vagina. These latter kinds are almost always spread through sexual contact. Women are likely to develop genital warts on the cervix and vulva, around and in the anus, as well as in the vagina. Some people have also developed infections in their mouths or throats after performing oral sex.

What Do Vaginal Warts Look Like?

Vaginal warts look like small swellings or flat patches in the vagina. They vary in color and can be flesh-toned, grey, pink, or red. Vaginal warts can grow and spread very quickly. Warts can occur singly or grow in large cauliflower-like formations. Sometimes they're barely visible, but other times they're blatantly obvious.

Complications from Vaginal Warts

Vaginal warts are a source of irritation and embarrassment for many women. However, while an inconvenience, they're usually painless. Some women do, however, experience mild pain and discomfort. Warts can also cause bleeding, especially during sexual intercourse. Sometimes, problems get worse during pregnancy. Something about the hormonal changes causes the warts to grow more quickly and spread more rapidly. Vaginal warts can also cause problems during delivery, since they prevent the vagina from stretching appropriately. In rare cases, infected women have spread the virus to their infants during the delivery process. This usually leads to upper respiratory tract infections in the infant, and may require surgery in order to keep passageways clear. HPV infections have been linked to several different types of genital cancer, especially cervical cancer. Fortunately, the strains of HPV that cause warts are unlikely to cause cancer. That said, infected women should always make sure to get regular pap smears to check for potential pre-cancerous or cancerous changes.

Diagnosis

Vaginal warts are usually diagnosed through a visual examination. Occasionally, your physician may use a mild vinegar solution to help expose hard-to-see warts. Generally, if you have vaginal warts, your physician will also examine the surrounding genital area, since if you have them in one place, chances are you have them in others too. A thorough physician will also test you for other sexually transmitted diseases, since some of them can cause skin lesions similar in appearance to those caused by an HPV infection.

Treatment

At this time, there is no treatment for an HPV infection. However, several different treatment options are commonly used to treat outbreaks of vaginal warts. The most common treatments include applying chemicals to the affected area, freezing off warts with liquid nitrogen, and using laser therapy to remove the warts. Any or all of these treatments can be successful in getting rid of the warts, but because the virus itself is still there, recurrences are common. Furthermore, you can still spread the virus even after undergoing treatment.

Sources:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/genital-warts

http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/hpv-genital-warts/hpv

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