Case Studies from an HIV STD Clinic in Singapore: A Curious Case of Genital Warts

Genital warts is one of the most commonly sexually-transmitted disease (STD) caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Sometimes referred to as condyloma acuminata or venereal warts, it can be spread through skin-to-skin genital contact or sex with someone who has the virus. Genital warts can be identified by skin-coloured fleshy growths that appear in the genital area and anal region. These contagious warts can be small or large, appear as one or in a bunch, and may cause pain, itching and discomfort.

Both men and women are affected by genital warts, and it can occur at any age. The risk factors of contracting the virus include being sexually active, having unprotected sex or oral sex with an infected person. Most genital warts are caused by different types of the HPV virus. Some are considered “low risk” and may have low potential to cause cancer, while the “high risk” types are known to be responsible for premalignant changes and cervical cancers in women.

Elyon Clinic provides specialised services and medical care for STD conditions in Singapore. If you suspect you might have genital warts, it is best to consult our doctor for treatment and wart removal.

How does it develop

As genital warts are sexually transmitted from an HPV-infected person, the viral particles are able to penetrate the skin and mucosal surfaces in the genital area during sexual activity. After infection, there may be no visible signs of warts for several weeks and it can often take months or years to show up. Genital warts can also appear on the lips, tongue, mouth, or throat of a person who had oral sexual contact with an infected partner.

You face a high risk of being infected with HPV from having skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, and oral sex with a partner who has the virus. Though using barrier methods like condoms lowers the risk of contracting HPV, it does not offer complete protection. As it is contagious, it is recommended to get tested and treated to help reduce the risk of passing genital warts to a sexual partner.

Symptoms

Infection with HPV may not cause visible symptoms or signs, including producing genital warts. You or your partner may have the virus but do not show any symptoms or know about it unless medical tests by a doctor are performed.

However, when symptoms do develop, they occur from 3 weeks to a few months or even years after infection. For women, genital warts can grow on the vulva, cervix, the walls of the vagina, and in areas between the external genitals and the anus. For men, the warts may occur on the shaft or tip of the penis, scrotum or around the anus.

Common symptoms include:

  • Itching, mild soreness or discomfort in genital area
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding or bleeding following sexual intercourse
  • Warts appearing as skin-coloured, pink, whitish, or greyish bumps and develop a cauliflower-like appearance
  • Discharge with unpleasant odour
Tests and treatment

See a genital warts clinic immediately if you or your partner develops warts or bumps in the genital area. Various tests will be conducted to check for genital warts and/or related STDs such as physical examination of the genital area, a biopsy to check on the sample of the wart, and pelvic examination or Pap smear for women.

Depending on the location and severity of the genital warts on your skin, there are several different ways to treat and remove the warts.

Possible treatments are:

  • Prescribed topical warts medication
  • Cryotherapy or freezing of warts with liquid nitrogen
  • Laser treatments
  • Electrosurgery using electrical current for remove the infection
  • Surgical excision

HPV vaccines are available to prevent most common strains of the virus that cause genital warts and are linked to certain types of cancer. Genital warts can also be mistaken for condylomata lata, a secondary form of syphilis, which have eroded, flat surfaces and appeared more broad-based.

Thus, it is important to visit a genital warts clinic to receive an accurate diagnosis and undergo proper wart removal treatment. Our board-accredited doctor at Elyon Clinic in Singapore will be able to provide medical care and advice for the genital warts treatment suited for you.