One of the most disturbing areas of sexual health problems in recent years is the prevalence of genital warts that affect both male and female sex organs; they can also be found around the anus as well. Although some people would like to claim otherwise, both male and female forms are passed on through sex and are the result of one strain of the human papillomavirus family that they all belong too. Genital warts are not necessarily prevented by a person because they are wearing a condom and quite often they will pass on the virus without even knowing they have it; this is particularly true for women.

Sometimes they will not appear for a long time after infection, even years.This means the person who was infected starts infecting others as well. There are more than hundred HPV virus types but only the type HPV6 causes ano-genital warts. Unless a woman is due for a routine medical examination by her gynecologist a woman may not discover the warts for some time hidden inside her genitals.

Women have the added problem that their genital area can be quite warm but also damp and are likely to have increased discharge which is an ideal situation for genital warts to thrive in. To remove them the most popular method of wart removal is to apply liquid nitrogen to the infected area; which has very low temperature and will kill the infected skin and tissues. Removal by liquid nitrogen is quite painless but even so it is not always possible to use this process owing to the area to be treated.

If liquid nitrogen cannot be used, medical professionals can use the latest laser treatment or alternatively the older but still successful, cauterization. Every method is dependant on the location of the infection but they are persistent and even if they are successfully removed, they can return at a later date. Another topical treatment for genital warts is imiquimod, and while it has been formulated to help the immune system fight the infection, the liquid does not kill the virus directly nor can it stop others from forming.

Before using imiquimod it is a good idea to consult with the doctor first because there are instances where it cannot be used as a treatment, including when a woman is pregnant,it also can’t be used inside the genitals or inside the vagina nor on inflamed skin. Your doctor may also warn against some of the more serious side effects of using imiquimod, which is common with any type of medical reparation. Information provided here on genital warts is presented in good faith but is not intended nor can it replace the advice given by medical professionals.