If you have been diagnosed with genital warts or
you fear that you may have genital warts, you will
be anxious to know how such genital warts can be treated.
One of the successful methods of getting rid of genital
warts is by freezing genital warts. When you freeze
genital warts, and only a qualified health professional
will be able to carry out this treatment for you,
the method used is called Cryotherapy.
What is genital warts Cryotherapy?
Genital warts Cryotherapy is a method of freezing
genital warts and the goal is to freeze and destroy
such genital warts while protecting the surrounding
skin from injury.
What is the preparation for genital warts
Cryotherapy?
The area to be treated needs to be clean and dry
but sterile preparation is not necessary. There will
be some pain but whether a local anesthetic is used
will depend on the patient. Sometimes the health professional
will want to reduce the size of the genital warts
before the Cryotherapy
in which case he will prescribe or apply a preparation
to the genital warts for some weeks beforehand.
What are the different techniques for freezing
genital warts?
There are three different techniques to performing
cryotherapy and usually only the first and simplest
technique is needed to freeze genital warts. The health
professional will dip a cotton swab or other applicator
into a vessel containing a “cryogen” such
as liquid nitrogen and apply it directly to the skin
growth to freeze it. Liquid nitrogen is the coldest
cryogen available and the goal is to freeze the genital
wart as quickly as possible and then let it thaw slowly
to cause maximum destruction of the skin cells. He
will then go on to treat any further genital warts.
Sometimes a second application may be necessary depending
on the size of the genital wart.
What are the risks, side effects and aftercare
from freezing genital warts?
Crotherapy poses little risk and can be well tolerated
even by those who are not good candidates for other
surgical procedures. There is a slight risk of scarring,
infection and damage to underlying skin and tissue
but these risks are generally considered minimal in
the hands of an experienced cryotherapy technician.
You may have a mild to moderate burning sensation
during the procedure while irritation, soreness or
mild pain may occur after the procedure. You may have
some swelling, dead tissue may shed off and sores
or blisters could form.
If you have had genital wart cryotherapy, you should
call your health professional if you notice any of
the following problems:
o A fever
o Continued bleeding
o Bad-smelling or yellowish discharge which may indicate
an infection
o Continued pain
In addition in women:
o A watery vaginal discharge may occur for about
1-3 weeks
o Sanitary napkins should be used instead of tampons
for 2-3 weeks.
Both men and women who have undergone genital warts
cryotherapy should avoid sexual intercourse until
the treated area heals and any soreness has gone.
This can be anything from 1-3 weeks.
Conclusion
With genital warts cryotherapy, there is a 25% chance
that the warts will grow back. More than one treatment
may be needed to freeze genital warts. Unfortunately,
the removal of genital warts will not cure
genital warts or an HPV infection and it may remain
in the body in an inactive state after the genital
warts are removed.
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to our Genital Warts Treatment page
