Genital Warts: Statistics, Facts and Pregnancy

Medically, genital warts are known as condyloma acuminate. They are flesh-coloured and are generally found in the anal region and the genital area. Both men and women can be affected by this condition. They are very contagious, spread rapidly, and occur in clusters. Women may experience this outside or inside the vagina. It is difficult to notice an infection caused by genital warts in the early stages. Warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). So far, about 100 types of human papillomavirus have been identified, out of which around 40 are known to affect the genital area.

The best way to protect yourself from this condition is to use condom regularly and avoid unsafe sexual intercourse. You can even ask your partner to get tested before you start a physical relationship with him.

Some facts

• Mostly, people between the ages 17 to 33 years suffer from this condition. Since, warts are contagious; the risk of acquiring it from a person through sexual contact who is infected is 60%

• A risk of infection is direct through manual contact, especially amongst children. Warts in children may raise a suspicion of sexual abuse

• HPV-6 and HPV-11 cause more than 90% of genital warts but they are low risk and don't lead to serious diseases

• Around 50% cervical cancers are caused by HPV-16

• More than 80% of cancers are caused by HPV-16, 31, 18 and 45

• More than two-thirds of individuals, who have any type of sexual contact with an infected person, develop warts within a span of 3 months

• Genital warts are correlated to use of birth control pills as well. Sounds unrelated, but the theory behind it is quite strong. Birth control pills and emergency contraceptive pills promote increased sexual contact without the use of contraception methods such as condoms as there is no fear of unintended pregnancy. However, people don't consider the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and infections.

Genital warts and pregnancy

66% of women have these warts around the opening of their vagina, 37% in the vagina, 29% between the vagina and anus and others around the anus or on the cervix. So the virus can be easily passed on during pregnancy or childbirth. But you don't have to worry – many women with warts have healthy pregnancies and smooth deliveries and they do not pose a big risk to your baby's health. However, you should also not be particularly careless.

If you have genital warts, here are a few things you can do:

• Get yourself checked

• Get your genital warts treated before you start planning to have a baby

• Stop smoking. Women smokers have more persistent problems with warts

Treatment during pregnancy

A lot of treatments are available for genital warts. The simplest treatments for this problem are podophyllotoxin or imiquimod. Some other treatments such as freezing, burning with acid and laser treatments are not so simple and are sometimes used if you have an unusual type or size of wart. Homeopathic medications and anti-viral sprays are also available for treating warts. But sadly, none of these medications are recommended during pregnancy.

Wartrol, a homeopathic medication, provides relief in outbreaks and symptoms of warts. Your doctor may prescribe this genital warts treatment to you in pregnancy or may not depending on the benefit and risk. No matter what the case, don't take it without consulting your GP. Don't use sprays and liquids available over the counter because they are unsafe to use in pregnancy and even when you are breastfeeding.

Though alternative genital warts treatments are not approved by FDA, most people who use these have given positive feedback and have experienced a relief in symptoms soon after using these medications. You can give Wartrol a try if you are not pregnant, most homeopathic medications do work and are even safer than other medications.