Genital warts (cockscomb): what they are, causes and treatment

Genital warts are a sexually transmitted infection (STI), caused by the HPV virus, resulting in symptoms such as soft, pink lesions, with a cauliflower appearance, which may be single or appear in groups.

Genital warts, also known as condyloma acuminatum or “rooster’s comb”, can affect women or men, and appear in places that have come into contact with the virus, such as the vagina, labia majora, shaft of the penis, scrotum or anal region, for example. example.

Read too: 5 main symptoms of HPV (in women and men)

The treatment of genital warts is carried out by a gynecologist or urologist who may recommend the use of ointments, application of acids to the site of the wart, cryotherapy, electrocauterization or surgery to remove the warts.

Symptoms of genital warts

The main symptoms of genital warts are:

• Cauliflower-like lesions on the anus, penis or vagina;
• Small warts that can spread to form large masses;
• Itching, burning or pain in the wart region;
• Skin-colored, pink, brownish or reddish warts;
• Rugged or rough appearance to the touch.

Genital warts can also bleed or have secretions, and are more common to appear on the penile shaft, scrotum, vagina, labia majora or perianal region. However, it can also affect the lips, cheeks, tongue or throat, for example. Know how to identify the symptoms of HPV in the mouth.

In some cases, genital warts can appear in the internal region of the vaginal canal or anus and increase the risk of developing cervical or anal cancer.

Read too: Wart on the penis: what it can be, symptoms (and how to treat it)

How to confirm the diagnosis

The diagnosis of genital warts is made by a gynecologist, in the case of women, or a urologist, in the case of men, through the evaluation of symptoms, health and sexual history, in addition to a physical examination observing the lesions in the genital region.

Make an appointment with the gynecologist in the region closest to you:

In addition, the gynecologist must perform a Pap smear to identify the type of HPV and detect changes indicative of cervical cancer.

In the case of men, the urologist can perform a penis copy, which allows the identification of very small warts on the penis. Find out how peniscopy is done.

In some cases, the doctor may perform a skin biopsy, taking a small sample of the wart, to confirm the diagnosis and rule out conditions with similar symptoms, such as molluscum contagiosum, flat condyloma, secondary syphilis or benign nevus, for example.

Read too: Skin biopsy: how it is done, types and when it is indicated

Possible causes

Genital warts, or condyloma acuminata, are caused by HPV, usually type 6 or 11, transmitted through unprotected sexual intercourse through skin-to-skin contact with a person infected with the human papillomavirus.

This virus infects the skin and mucous membranes, causing one or more warts to appear in the genital region.

Read too: Are all warts HPV?

How transmission happens

The transmission of genital warts occurs through skin-to-skin contact in the genital or oral region, mainly due to unprotected sexual intercourse, with penetration not being necessary.

Furthermore, despite being less common, HPV can also be transmitted from mother to baby during vaginal birth. See how HPV transmission happens.

How the treatment is carried out

The treatment of genital warts must be carried out under the guidance of a gynecologist or urologist, and normally involves the use of creams and ointments, however, in some cases the doctor may recommend removing the warts with a laser, nitrogen cryotherapy or surgery.

Complete treatment time can take up to 2 years and, sometimes, after treatment, lesions on the genitals reappear. See all the treatment options for genital warts and how they are done.

Read too: 6 remedies to treat HPV infection (ointments and more)