Treatment options
The following treatment options are available:
- Podophyllotoxin: This active substance belongs to the group of cell-killing agents (cytostatics). Podophyllotoxin is available as a cream or tincture, which you apply to the genital warts for several days in succession. Then take a break and possibly start treatment again if the genital warts have not disappeared. Pregnant women must not use this medicine.
- Imiquimod: The active substance belongs to the group of immunomodulators. It stimulates the immune system to take action against the viruses itself and fight them. Apply the cream to the genital warts several times a week and leave it on for a few hours. Then wash the cream off again with water. Treatment with Imiquimod is carried out until the genital warts are no longer visible. The medication is not suitable during pregnancy.
- Trichloroacetic acid: Doctors carefully apply small amounts of this strong acid to the genital warts. Trichloroacetic acid is suitable for pregnant women.
- If the infestation is more extensive, anal condylomas can be removed with a CO2 laser . The advantage of laser ablation is that the laser only penetrates the skin a little (about 0.1 mm), so there are usually no scars after ablation. Laser ablation is the method of choice in our clinic. The disadvantage of this method is that laser ablation should be carried out in an operating theater where a special smoke extraction system is available. This is because the smoke produced during laser therapy can contain live virus particles. If inhaled, these could lead to the formation of genital warts in the upper respiratory tract (nasopharynx).
- Icing warts: In cryotherapy, doctors use the opposite of heat, namely cold in the form of liquid nitrogen. This is also not good for the genital warts and they die off.
Surgical information on laser treatment of condylomas
- Preparation: none
- Anesthesia: general anesthesia or spinal anesthesia
- Operation duration: 20 minutes
- Hospitalization: outpatient
- Incapacity to work: 2 to 3 days
- Follow-up treatment: Aldara® cream for 4 months (local therapy)
Always have the success of the genital wart treatment checked by your doctor. Even if you can no longer see any condylomas, infected areas sometimes remain despite treatment. Then the genital warts can flare up again. Such a relapse cannot be ruled out with certainty – you will then have to repeat the treatment or choose a different therapy.
And finally: Your sexual partner(s) should also be examined by a doctor for genital warts. This is because infection occurs quickly during sexual intercourse. It is also advisable to treat genital warts in your partner.
