Genital Warts Treatment Alternatives

Thirty percent of genital warts will clear up on their own, without any treatment. If you have genital warts that are not disappearing on their own and they are painful, itchy or uncomfortable, you may want to look at treatment alternatives. Even though these warts are caused by a virus and may return after removal, you will at least be able to get some relief through an appropriate medical treatment.

Medication

• There are various topical medications that can relieve genital warts. Imiquimod is a cream that helps your immune system fight the warts. However, it should not be used before sex because it can irritate the other person's skin. It may also weaken diaphragms or condoms, resulting in failure of these birth control methods. Podophyllin is a medication that must be applied by a doctor. It removes the wart by destroying its tissue. Podofilox is a similar substance that can be applied at home. Trichloroacetic acid is a chemical that will burn away genital warts. It can only be used by doctors.

Freezing

• Genital warts may be frozen with liquid nitrogen, which causes formation of a blister around the wart. As the blister heals, the wart tissue will fall off and new skin will grow in its place. This treatment is performed by a doctor, and it may require several sessions to be effective.

Surgery

• There are several surgical options for genital wart treatment. An electrical current may be used by the doctor to burn away the warts in a surgical procedure called electrocautery. The doctor can also administer a local anesthetic and cut away the warts. Laser surgery is an option, but it is expensive when compared to other methods. Because of this, it is usually used in cases that don't respond to other treatments.