Can genital warts go away?

Genital warts go away on their own, however, the process might take a variety of times. Within 18 to 24 months, 80% of those infected with the wart-causing virus will be free of the illness.

Treatment can speed up wart removal, however, some forms of treatment can leave scars from genital warts.

The most prevalent STI in the United States, the human papillomavirus (HPV), causes genital warts, which are a consequence of a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Genital warts do not appear in all HPV patients. For those who do, warts may appear and disappear. The virus cannot be cured, although patients can treat the warts with lotions or other medications. 

In this article, we will examine whether genital warts go away, how long it takes, symptoms, so continue reading to know more.

Also Read: Most Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases in India

Can genital warts go away?

Genital warts can be treated, even if HPV isn’t always treatable. Long stretches without an outbreak are also feasible, but it might not be able to eradicate the warts.

This is because genital warts are simply a sign of HPV, which for some people can lead to a persistent, lifelong infection.

After recovering from an HPV infection, there is a potential of getting another disease, either of the same or a different strain. Even more rarely, but still possible, you might get many songs of an illness at once.

Therefore, genital warts may return in the future even after therapy. This depends on your immunity, vaccination status, HPV strain, and how effectively you’ve been treated for the disease.

You might not even be aware that you have a high-risk strain of HPV until precancerous or cancerous lesions appear. Some strains are high-risk and linked to the later development of squamous cell carcinoma (cancer).

Eventually, even though it could take some time, the warts will go away. The infection will gradually be eliminated by your body. After around 6 months, roughly 30% of individuals with warts will find that they have vanished without therapy.

Also Read: How do a married women get HPV?

How can genital warts go away?

Without treatment, genital warts could disappear. Receiving therapy, nevertheless, can be beneficial since it

The number of warts, their location, and your general health state all affect the treatment option. Treatment options include surgeries, injectables, medicinal creams, or ointments.

Medical creams and ointments that can be used at home

The following are accessible with a prescription from a doctor:

• Wart development is stopped with podofilox, and the wart eventually comes off.

• Imiquimod (boosts immunity to fend against viruses).

• Sinecatechins, an antiviral agent, are present in green tea extract.

• procedures (to be completed at a doctor’s office while the patient is there).

One of these treatments, which may need many sessions, can be carried out by a dermatologist. These steps consist of:

• Excision: removing warts completely.

• Warts are burned and destroyed by electrocautery, which involves running an electric current through them.

• Warts are frozen with liquid nitrogen during cryosurgery until they are destroyed.

• Wart removal with laser therapy: laser light removal.

• injectable antivirals.

Injections of the antiviral drug Interferon are administered directly into warts if all other treatments are unsuccessful.

Genital warts are just one symptom of HPV, which is a persistent infection. Warts may be removed, but if you have an HPV, it cannot be removed.

Also Read: How long does HPV take to show up in females?

How can genital warts not spread to other people?

By adopting a few preventative measures, you can lower your chance of contracting HPV and developing genital warts. What you could do is:

Get vaccinated against HPV: This vaccination is recommended for both genders between the ages of 9 and 26. This vaccination, which is administered in three injections spaced six months apart, may also help prevent several cancers, particularly female cervical cancer.

Wear a latex condom during sex to help lower your chance of contracting genital warts from infected partners. It doesn’t cover the whole thing, so you might still become sick from the parts that aren’t covered.

In sexual relationships, talk about each other’s (the partner’s) health: Find out whether your companion has any STDs, and you must talk with them about any concerns you may have.

Avoid smoking: There is evidence to suggest that smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop genital warts.

Also Read: My partner has genital warts. Will I get it?

Conclusion

Genital warts may go away on their own without treatment, but HPV is still contagious. Therefore, it is advised to use a barrier technique during sexual activity, such as a condom.

After your warts have disappeared, you should wait at least two weeks before having intercourse. Before having a sexual encounter, you should discuss your HPV status with your partners.

Skin-to-skin contact can still transfer HPV even if there isn’t an epidemic going on. Your risk of spreading HPV will be decreased if you wear a condom. Condoms for men or women, as well as dental dams, are included.

Although it may take many months for treatment to be fully successful, it can remove genital warts and help prevent further outbreaks. Warts may still reappear and more treatments could be required.