Can genital warts be cured? Not exactly. Genital warts are caused by a virus, the human papillomavirus, or HPV. There is no cure for HPV. Once infected with it, you’ll always have it and can transmit it to others.
There are treatments that remove warts, however. These are not exactly genital warts cures, since warts can come back at a later time and you can transmit the virus that causes genital warts to others even if you’ve had your warts removed, but removing warts reduces itching and discomfort and also reduces the risk of spreading the virus to sexual partners. When people talk about cures for genital warts, they are usually referring to treatments that remove warts. Just remember, though, treatments do not get rid of the virus that causes warts.
Can Genital Warts be Cured by Removing Them?
Removing genital warts does not get rid of HPV, the virus that causes warts. There are a number of reasons people want warts removed, however.
- Genital warts often cause itching and/or discomfort in the genital area.
- Genital warts can cause bleeding and pain during sexual intercourse.
- The presence of genital warts increases your risk of contracting certain other sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
- You are more likely to transmit HPV to sexual partners when warts are present.
- During childbirth, genital warts may bleed excessively and warts may also be transmitted to your baby during delivery.
Can Genital Warts be Removed Without Surgery?
There are a number of ways to remove genital warts, including excision (cutting them off), cryosurgery (freezing them off), electrocautery (burning them off), and laser treatments. If you’re cringing at the thought of having surgery on your genitals, well, you’re not alone. These may be the most effective treatments in certain cases, but they are not the only options and are not the best options for everyone.
We’ll tell you about some alternative genital warts cures, but of course, we cannot offer you medical advice about your specific condition. If you have questions about the best treatment for you, see your doctor. Ask your doctor about removal without surgery in your case. Often, they can.
There are prescription creams that treat genital warts. Some can be purchased at a pharmacy and used at home, while others must be applied by a physician. While they cause less pain and discomfort than surgery, they can cause severe skin irritation if not applied correctly.
Over-The-Counter Genital Warts Cures
Many people want to use over-the-counter cures for warts so they don’t have to see a doctor. Over-the-counter remedies are generally more affordable than prescription medications and they are definitely more affordable than surgery to remove warts. As the Mayo Clinic explains, though, many over-the-counter wart removal medications, however, while effective on many types of warts, are not safe for use on the genitals or on other mucous membranes, like the lips or tongue. Before using any over-the-counter wart medication, make sure to check to see if it’s safe for use on genital warts. Otherwise, you may experience skin irritation, a burning sensation, pain, or other unwanted side effects.
Natural Genital Warts Cures
There are also natural products that can be used to remove warts. As with other over-the-counter wart removal products, many are not safe for use on genital warts, so read the label carefully before using one. We like Terrasil Wart Removal Ointment, which contains all-natural ingredients like jojoba seed oil, essential oils, zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, and silver oxide, which work together to remove warts naturally and painlessly while also soothing irritated skin and relieving symptoms like genital itching. It’s a safe and effective treatment for genital warts. To learn more about our favorite natural remedy, follow this link to the Terrasil Website.
Ref: Mayo Clinic