Genital Warts - How They Affect Men & Women?

Symptoms of having genital warts can develop after weeks of having sex and may not be visible to the naked eyes in the initial stages of development. A cluster of warts or a single wart can appear on the skin of the infected individual. The warts which develop may feel bumpy and may be slightly darker than your skin tone. These warts may develop in the inside or outside of the anus or vagina as well as the cervix. Women who get involved in oral sexual activities with infected people may develop these warts on their lips, tongue, mouth and the throat as well. Symptoms like itching, noticing vaginal discharge, bleeding and burning are also signs of having genital warts.

If the warts do not disappear after a few days on its own, you may need medications or surgeries to get rid of the disease. Cryosurgery or freezing of the warts is one method which is frequently used by medical practitioners to cure the problem. Electro cautery is another method which involves burning the warts with electric currents. Cutting of the warts or using interferon injections are alternative modes of stopping the disease from getting worse.

Gardasil is the vaccine which can be used to prevent the genital warts from developing in both men and women. Individuals up to the age of 26 can receive this vaccine. This vaccine can also be given at the early age of 9 years too. It is preferred that the vaccines are given before becoming sexually active as the vaccines are most effective before being exposed to any HPV.

Genital warts can be easily transferred through sexual contact with an infected person. You may not see the signs for the first few days or even weeks, but can still develop in a month or so. Using a condom does not give a cent percent guarantee of not being infected. Getting vaccinated is the safest option from preventing yourself from getting infected by the disease.