Human Papillomavirus Infection in Females
Alternate Names : Genital HPV, Venereal Wart Infection
What are the treatments for the infection?
Treatment of human papilloma virus does not necessarily cure the infection. The
virus may still be present in the cells around the genital region. It often is
not detected until a wart occurs or the woman has an abnormal Pap smear.
The main methods of treatment are as follows:
surgical removal of the warts with a scalpel
loop electrosurgical excision procedure, or LEEP, which is a procedure that uses an electrical current to remove the
warts
cryotherapy,
which uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the warts
laser surgery,
which uses laser beams to vaporize the warts
electrocautery, or burning of the warts
chemical treatments of external warts. A chemical such as podophyllin
may be used once or twice a week for 6 weeks or until the warts disappear. The
warts commonly come back after this kind of treatment.
antiviral therapy, which often involves injection of a biological response modifier such as
interferon. This chemical is injected directly into a wart to prevent the
virus.
5-fluorouracil intravaginal cream, which can be applied to external
vaginal warts. This treatment causes significant burning and pain and is rarely
used today.
What are the side effects of the treatments?
During cryotherapy,
women often feel cramping and pelvic discomfort. For about a month afterward,
they may have a great deal of watery vaginal discharge.
Laser surgery,
LEEP, and other procedures may
cause the following:
foul-smelling vaginal
discharge
cervicitis, or inflammation of the cervical tissue
bleeding
an allergic
reaction
to any local anesthesia
used during the procedure
What happens after treatment for the infection?
Additional treatment may be necessary over weeks or months because of high rates of
recurrence. In addition, a woman should tell her sexual partners about the
problem to prevent possible spread to others. Regular Pap smears are also
important to detect any abnormal cells or cancer of the cervix.
How is the infection monitored?
Being screened for HPV infection every year, or any time there is a new sexual
partner, is a good practice. Any new or worsening symptoms should be reported
to the healthcare provider.
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