Papillomas on the labia is a rather delicate problem that causes dissatisfaction with oneself and a decrease in the quality of sexual life. They are difficult to hide, they can cause inconvenience during intercourse, so papillomas should be removed. In addition, in some cases, growths on the genitals in women can be a dangerous risk of developing cancer.
Reasons for the formation of papillomas
Papillomas on the labia or genital warts are a consequence of infection with the human papillomavirus. In total, there are more than 100 strains of this virus, which differ in the type of neoplasms and the degree of risk of developing oncology.
The virus enters the body mainly through sexual contact against the background of a decrease in immunity. At the same time, a man who infected a woman may not have visible signs of the presence of a virus, since papillomas in men do not always appear on the skin.
A decrease in immunity occurs against the background of recent infectious diseases, a lack of vitamins or chronic stress. Papillomas on the labia can be caused by a decrease in local immunity, as a result of various inflammatory and infectious diseases of the genital organs, including thrush and bacterial vaginosis. At the same time, for infection, it is enough to use other people's personal hygiene products, so that after a while unaesthetic growths appear on the labia.
Thus, despite the fact that the virus is transmitted from one person to another, the reasons for the appearance of papillomas on the labia in women are as follows:
- decreased immunity after ARVI, pneumonia, flu or tonsillitis;
- vaginal infections;
- non-observance of personal hygiene;
- stress;
- unbalanced diet;
- the presence of a chronic focus of infection in the body;
- promiscuous sex.
All of these factors lead to a decrease in immunity, both general and local. As a result, the body becomes susceptible to various negative influences and cannot resist the human papillomavirus.
Quite often, the virus does not manifest itself, restrained by human immunity. This is true only if the person is completely healthy. Then the virus can be asymptomatic in the body for a long time. The formation of papillomas will occur against the background of a decrease in immunity. If this does not happen in the coming years, the body can cope with the virus on its own, however, self-healing usually takes at least 18 months.
What do papillomas on the genitals look like?
How an infection on the labia of a woman manifests itself depends on several factors:
- type of virus;
- the concentration of the virus in the body;
- localization of growths.
The formation of papillomas on the labia minora is caused by the influence of oncogenic or conditionally oncogenic strains of the virus (16, 18, 31, 32, 45 and other types). It is easy to understand how such papillomas on the labia look, knowing what condyloma is. These are small papillae with jagged edges that rise above the surface of the mucous membrane. They usually do not differ in color, or are slightly lighter than mucous membranes. The manifestations of the papilloma virus on the labia, provoking the development of genital warts, can spread to the perineum, vulva and vagina of a woman.
Condylomas are always formed only on the mucous membranes. Papillomas on the inner labia in women do not appear, they are formed only in areas with a thin epidermis.
Papillomas are small balls on the legs that rise above the skin. They have even borders of the correct shape, they can be slightly lighter or darker than the rest of the skin. When pressed, the papillomas on the labia do not hurt, under the fingers feels the homogeneous structure of the growth. This type of neoplasm appears in the groin folds and on the labia majora.
Almost any of the known methods are used to remove papillomas on the labia, since the risks of burns or deep damage to the epidermis are minimal. Treatment of papillomas on the labia minora is carried out in a comprehensive manner, since such growths are potentially dangerous.
Warts can form in the following areas:
- small labia;
- vulva;
- vagina;
- Cervix;
- anal opening;
- crotch;
- urethra.
The photo of papilloma on the labia does not differ from the images of growths on other parts of the body, while papillomas or condylomas in the vagina and vagina are difficult to notice on their own.
The formation of papilloma on the labia during pregnancy is associated with a decrease in immunity. In this case, timely treatment of the consequences of HPV plays an important role, otherwise there is a risk of infection of the child while passing through the birth canal.
Why are papillomas dangerous?
Sexual contact and the human papillomavirus on the labia in women are directly related. Firstly, upon contact with the affected mucosa, there is a risk of transmitting the virus to the sexual partner. Secondly, with friction during intercourse, papillomas and condylomas can be damaged, which is accompanied by pain. There is a risk of infection with papilloma, while it becomes inflamed and can begin to degenerate into cancer.
There are cases when, due to repeated injuries, a woman has a huge papilloma on the labia majora. No woman is insured against such a risk. Large growths are very dangerous and should be removed first.
Papilloma on the mucous membrane of the labia minora and in the vagina can lead to the development of cervical cancer. This is due to the activity of the papillomavirus, which is manifested by excessive division of epithelial cells on the labia minora and other parts of the mucous membrane. In this case, the damage to the cells of the cervix develops in several stages. First, erosion is formed due to HPV on the labia, then it transforms into dysplasia, which is a precancerous condition. Lack of timely treatment of dysplasia leads to the development of cervical cancer.
It should be understood that any papillomas on the mucous membrane of the labia are a potential hazard. The papilloma itself can degenerate into cancer, and not only provoke cervical oncology. Signs of malignant papilloma are an increase in the size of the growth, pain and itching, discharge with an unpleasant odor from the body of the growth and blackening of the skin of the affected area. If you notice such symptoms, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible - an oncologist, gynecologist or dermatovenerologist.
Treatment and removal of papillomas
How to treat papillomas on the labia depends on their number and size. It is recommended not to self-medicate, but to consult a doctor who will tell you in detail what to do to remove and prevent the reappearance of papillomas on the labia.
To get rid of papillomas on the labia should be consistent. First, the activity of the virus is suppressed, then the growth itself is removed and, if necessary, immunostimulating therapy is carried out. To accurately determine the sequence of treatment, a PCR test should be taken, which shows the degree of activity and concentration of the virus, and also allows you to determine its strain.
If a woman is found to have a potentially dangerous strain of the virus, 16 or 18, complex therapy is needed. In this case, each removed papilloma is sent for histological analysis and a complete examination of the cervix is carried out for changes in the epithelium.
How to remove papillomas on the labia depends on the exact location. Skin neoplasms are removed in any available way - from surgical to folk. This is due to the fact that the skin of the labia majora is thick enough, so there are rarely complications after removal. It is fair to say that the formations on the labia majora in most cases do not pose a health hazard and do not provoke cancer.
Removal of genital warts on the mucous membranes is carried out either with the help of laser exposure or the radio wave method. These two methods are considered the most gentle, while they do not clog the vessels that feed the growth, so the risk of bleeding is minimal. When removing neoplasms from the cervix or vagina, a histological analysis is required to exclude the onset of the pathological process.
You should consult your doctor about how to remove papillomas on the labia. If the analysis showed a high concentration of the virus in the body, there is a risk of re-formation of genital warts, therefore, complex therapy is carried out, including three stages.
- After determining the strain of the virus, the woman is prescribed antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy. This is necessary to suppress the virus and minimize the risk of re-formation of papillomas.
- After drug therapy, which takes several weeks on average, papillomas are removed using the method selected and agreed with the doctor. Laser removal or radio wave method is recommended.
- Some time after the removal of the growths, the analysis should be repeated. If the concentration of the virus is still high, a second course of drug therapy is prescribed.
The drugs used to treat papillomas are available in the form of tablets and ointments. Antiviral ointments with immunomodulatory properties are recommended for the treatment of papillomas on the skin. If the growths appear on the mucous membranes, pills are indicated.
As a rule, after removal of papillomas and drug therapy, the body heals on its own after a few months or years. In order to avoid re-formation of papillomas, a woman must follow the rules of hygiene, maintain her own immunity and avoid unprotected sex.