Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Most sexually active people will be infected with HPV at least once in their lifetime.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. Most sexually active people will be infected with HPV at least once in their lifetime.
The virus can be contracted through sexual relations (genital, oral, anal), or through direct skin contact with lesions during sexual activity.
There are approximately 200 varieties of the human papillomavirus (HPV). Some types of HPV infection cause warts, and others can cause different types of cancer.
Symptom
Most infections clear up on their own and do not cause health problems. In people with persistent infections, genital warts, also called condylomas, may appear.
These warts affect the moist tissues of the genital area and can also appear in the throat or mouth as a result of oral sex with an infected person. The lesions caused by this disease are usually painless, although they can cause some symptoms that may lead the patient to suspect something is wrong.
Some symptoms may include burning, itching, or pain in the area. Small bumps with a different color (resembling warts or cauliflower) may appear in the genital area. Raised lesions may also appear at the urethral opening (tip of the penis) or on the glans. In women, abnormal vaginal discharge or bleeding during sexual intercourse may occur.
A direct association between HPV and penile cancer has been described. However, it is very important to clarify that the types of HPV that cause warts do not cause cancer.
Discovery
Currently, there is no approved test specifically for diagnosing HPV in men. It's also important to note that the presence of lesions is not necessarily associated with a recent HPV infection. Many people may have contracted HPV a long time ago, even years ago, and never experienced any symptoms (being asymptomatic carriers). For this reason, it's also impossible to determine which partner infected the other. Furthermore, it's crucial to emphasize that HPV infection does not mean that either partner has had sexual relations with other people.
How is condyloma treated?
Most warts disappear on their own. In cases where warts are persistent and cause discomfort, medical or surgical treatments may be available.
Medications used to remove warts are usually applied directly to the lesion and often require multiple applications before they are effective. Examples include the use of irritants (trichloroacetic acid, podophyllin, acetic acid) or agents that boost the immune system against the virus (e.g., imiquimod).
If there is no response, or if multiple lesions are present, surgery is the treatment of choice. The most common options are cryotherapy, electrocautery, or scalpel. The choice of technique will depend on your urologist.
