HPV stands for the Human Papallomavirus, a virus generally transmitted through sexual contact.HPV is just as common in men as it is in women. Rarely are there cases of serious health problems in men however, with the exception of anal cancer in men who have sex with other men. Unfortunately, there is no test to detect HPV in men. With more than 5.5 million people infect each year, this is a virus you should take very seriously.

What ARE Genital Warts?

Genital warts are flat, small cauliflower-like bumps. In men genital warts can grow on the penis, scrotum, anus or rectum. They vary in size, some so small you can’t even see them. The longer HPV warts are left untreated, the more persistent they become. In men, genital warts can lead to cancer of the penis.

So, How Do You Treat These Warts?

No cure is known at this time for HPV, so your best choice is to focus on boosting your immune system to fight this disease. Depending on size and location, there are several methods of treatment.

Know Your Options:

• Cryotherapy. Cryotherapy is a newer technology that centers around liquid nitrogen. The nitrogen/oxygen mix is applied to the affected area and freezes the wart off. The freezing and thawing essentially damages cells to rid the body of the wart. A number of treatments may be needed to completely remove all the warts.
• Electrocautery. Electrocautery is the opposite of cryotherapy in that it burns the wart away. A small probe with an electric current cauterizes the wart, burning it with a potent acid.
• Topical Solutions. Topical Solutions are a popular method of wart control, however this may be the most dangerous. Popular creams like Aldara and Condylox have side effects including, but not limited to: upper respiratory tract infections, eczema, UTI’s, burning, itching, bleeding and hair loss. Pharmaceuticals can often do more damage than good.
• Laser Surgery. Laser surgery works in the same way as electrocautery, burning the wart into unrecoverable damage.
• Surgical Removal. Surgical removal is the most fool proof method when it comes to genital wart removal. Surgeons use tangential scissor excision, tangential shave excision or curettage. Surgical removal usually removes warts in a single visit.
• Alternative Methods. Other options include the use of naturally occurring organic drugs.
• Interferon Injections. If one or several of these methods have failed to remove the genital warts, your doctor may try an interferon injection into the warts. Interferon is a chemical that everyone’s bodies already produce. Interferon boosts the immune system and may help your body attack and fight the virus causing the warts. Interferon injections are generally administered twice a week for about 2 months.

Will Genital Warts ever be gone for good?

Again, there is no cure at this time for HPV or the genital warts that come along with the disease. Most of the time however, things such as surgical treatment, is successful. Seeing your doctor is the only way to find out which treatment option is right for you.

Many people have successfully eradicated themselves of the uncomfortable warts through natural products, opting out the the possible dangers western medicine poses. Remember, HPV can be spread whether or not you are outwardly displaying symptoms, so talk to your doctor AND your partner!