Treatments for Genital Warts

Genital warts often go away without any treatment. They can also develop into a small, fleshy raised growth that looks like cauliflower. There is no way to tell if the warts will grow or go away. This is why it is so important to see your health care provider if you think you may have genital warts.

It is also important to know that while treatments can get rid of the warts, no treatment gets rid of the virus. Once you get HPV, it becomes a life long infection, whether you have symptoms or not. Warts often come back after they are treated.

Depending on the size and location of the genital warts, your health care provider may give you one of several topical treatments:

• Imiquimod cream.

• Podophyllin and podofilox solutions - don't use these when pregnant because they may cause birth defects.

• 5-fluorouracil cream - don't use when pregnant because this may cause birth defects; can also cause severe skin irritation.

• Trichloroacetic acid (TCA).

Small warts are sometimes removed by your doctor with freezing (cryosurgery), burning (electrocautery), or laser treatment. Very large warts may sometimes need to be removed with surgery when they do not respond to other treatments.

When warts return after treatment, the antiviral drug alpha interferon can be injected directly into the warts. But, this treatment costs a lot and doesn't always prevent the warts from coming back or reduce the number of warts that can return again. It can't be used during pregnancy.