Papillomas in the vagina: symptoms and treatment

Papillomas in the vagina of a woman

Papillomas in the vagina are small formations of a benign nature, localized in the perineal area and on the mucous membranes of the walls of the vagina. The reason for the appearance of such nodules, which in medicine are called warts, is infection with the human papillomavirus. Treatment of this type of papillomas has its own characteristics, since most of the means for external use and alternative methods cannot be used on mucous membranes.

What do papillomas look like in the vagina?

Close-up of papillomas in the vagina

The woman herself can hardly imagine what papillomas look like inside the vagina, usually the disease is diagnosed by chance during a gynecological examination.

Sometimes, with the localization of growths in the labia and the entrance to the vagina, a woman can grope for them while washing or douching. Small warts do not manifest themselves in any way and do not cause any discomfort.

Warts differ in appearance: they can be pointed or resemble a cockscomb in shape. There are single papillomas or large merged accumulations of growths. Pointed papillomas resemble white villi on legs that can burst, in which case a small amount of an unpleasant-smelling liquid comes out of them.

Note! In the initial stages of the disease, papillomas inside the vagina are small spider veins that are difficult to notice even during a gynecological examination.

From a medical point of view, papillomas in the vagina are divided into two types:

  • Exophytic. . . These are formations of a benign nature that stand out above the surface of the mucous membrane, and it is they who are called spiky.
  • Endophytic. . . Such condylomas grow inside the epithelium, in appearance they are flat and not immediately noticeable. On examination, they are noted as small seals on the mucous membrane. It is these papillomas in the vagina that are most dangerous, since they can degenerate into malignant tumors.

The color of genital warts can be either light pink or dark brown. With the development of the disease, the formations grow and merge into growths that resemble cauliflower inflorescences in their appearance. Large accumulations of papillomas are easily identified visually, in addition, they bring significant discomfort to a woman, especially during sexual intercourse.

When papillomas appear in the vagina, the symptoms of the disease may not be felt by a woman for a long time. Unpleasant sensations increase as the growths grow. During intercourse, they can be injured, in some cases, slight bleeding and pain are possible. It is this kind of discomfort that usually makes a woman go to a gynecologist, who makes a diagnosis.

Important! The disease is almost impossible to recognize at the initial stage, since HPV has a long incubation period. The first symptoms may appear only 2-3 months after infection. The sooner the virus manifests itself, the better the prognosis for a full recovery.

The reasons for the appearance of papillomas in the vagina

3D model of HPV (human papillomavirus)

The cause of the appearance and growth of papillomas in the vagina is infection with papillomavirus. Most often, such localization of genital warts is typical for women who neglect barrier contraceptives. Sometimes a man may not know that he is a carrier of the virus, he often does not have symptoms of the disease, but in his partner they begin to manifest themselves quite clearly.

It should be said that it is possible to become infected with the papillomavirus even with protected sexual intercourse, since the carrier of the infection can be present on the skin and hair in the male external genital area. For infection, even minimal contact with the carrier of the virus is quite enough. Infection occurs especially easily when the body's defenses are weakened in a woman.

The very hit of pathogenic microflora on the mucous membranes of the female genital organs does not necessarily lead to the development of the disease. Papillomas inside the vagina begin to grow actively under the influence of a number of negative factors:

  • systemic diseases of various etiologies that negatively affect the immune status (infectious diseases, pathologies of the endocrine system, problems with the genitourinary system, and others);
  • undergone surgical interventions, especially those associated with general anesthesia;
  • excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, smoking;
  • drug addiction, and immunity is noticeably weakened under the influence of light drugs and smoking mixtures;
  • promiscuous sex life, frequent change of sexual partners;
  • constant nervous tension, stress, lack of sleep;
  • early pregnancy and adolescent childbirth;
  • inflammatory processes in the body, chronic sexually transmitted diseases;
  • excessive physical activity, violation of the regime of work and rest;
  • unbalanced diet, anorexia, lack of vitamins and minerals in the body.

In addition, papillomas in the vagina can be provoked byexternal reasons, for example, poor environmental conditions or poor personal hygiene.

A catalyst for the activation of papillomavirus and the appearance of genital warts on the mucous membranes of the genital organs can bethe presence of HIV in the body. . .

Important! The absence of papillomas in the vagina after sexual contact with an infected man does not mean that the woman has not contracted HPV. With strong immunity, the disease may not manifest itself in any way, but the woman herself becomes a source of potential danger.

Treatment of papillomas in the vagina

Papillomas in the vagina are only a manifestation of the human papillomavirus, therefore, treatment will be effective when using a whole range of measures. First of all, antiviral drug therapy is carried out, which includes drugs for internal use, including injectables, and agents for local exposure. A certain effect is also given by recipes of traditional medicine, which can only be used in consultation with the attending physician. Traditional means for external use are also not always suitable for cauterizing vaginal papillomas, since they act too aggressively on such formations and can cause a serious burn of the mucous membrane.

Medicines for the treatment of papillomas in the vagina

The choice of drugs for the treatment of papillomas in the vagina depends on the results of the examination, which includes a number of mandatory diagnostic measures: gynecological examination using mirrors to detect the presence of genital warts, examination with a colposcope, which allows you to see flat growths, analysis for the type of human papillomavirus.

Based on the research and the results of the analyzes, the doctor must prescribe a set of drugs for internal and local use. This complex includes antiviral agents, drugs to raise immunity and agents for the direct fight against papillomas in the vagina. Among these medications, the most effective ones can be distinguished:

  • The newest means for strengthening the immune system, produced in tablet form with a dosage of 1 or 10 mg. The drug has no toxic effect. In addition to raising immunity, the agent has an antitumor effect. Take 1 tablet daily before meals.
  • Tablets made from plant materials with antiviral and bacteriostatic effect. In the treatment of papillomas in the vagina, 1 tablet is prescribed 3 times a day.
  • One of the most modern antiviral drugs acting directly on pathogenic microflora. Manufactured in Israel. It also has an immunomodulatory effect. It is produced in the form of tablets with a dosage of 500 mg. The course of treatment usually lasts 2 weeks with the intake of 2 tablets 3 times a day.
  • The product is on a natural basis, is a strong immunomodulator, and also has a pronounced antiviral activity. It is used for local exposure and is available in various dosage forms, including vaginal suppositories.

If papillomas are found in the vagina, how to treat this disease with medication can only be determined by the attending physician, since each of the drugs has its own contraindications and side effects. In some cases, drug therapy may be sufficient and vaginal papillomas will disappear after one or more treatments.

Important! Treatment of papillomas in the vagina during the period of gestation requires special care. Most of the popular antiviral drugs should not be taken during pregnancy, so no self-medication is allowed during this period.

Hardware removal of papillomas in the vagina

Laser removal of papillomas in the vagina

Removal of papillomas in the vagina by various hardware techniques is used in cases where drug treatment has not brought the expected result. The choice of the method is made by the doctor on the basis of the available equipment and the individual characteristics of the development of the disease.

Modern medicine offers the following methods:

  • Cryodestruction. . . This is the removal of papillomas using low temperatures. A popular and well-proven method for removing formations on the skin and mucous membranes. The action is based on the ability of liquid nitrogen to destroy the structure of papillomas and stop the process of their growth. The latest devices are used in modern clinics. The procedure is affordable and popular due to its quick healing, although it is accompanied by some discomfort during cauterization. The cost of the procedure depends on the level of the clinic.
  • Laser removal. . . The most modern, but also the most expensive method of removing papillomas in the vagina. Its advantage is the ability to get rid of genital warts in 1 session with minimal discomfort. Under the action of a laser beam, the formation on the mucous membrane instantly dries up and disappears.
  • Electrocoagulation. . . The method of removing papillomas in the vagina is based on the ability of an electric current to destroy the structure of growths on the skin and mucous membranes and stop their growth.
  • Radio wave removal. . . This is the least painful way to remove papillomas, so it is especially popular. Under the influence of radio waves, the DNA of the virus is destroyed, and further multiplication of pathogenic cells becomes impossible.

Hardware methods for removing papillomas in the vagina are associated with certain difficulties due to the impossibility of accurately affecting the growths that are deep in the vagina, therefore, only an experienced doctor can carry out the procedure.

Folk remedies for papillomas in the vagina

Sea buckthorn oil from papillomas in the vagina

Usually, doctors do not object to alternative methods of treating papillomas on the skin, but formations on the mucous membranes require special care. This is especially true for papillomas at the entrance to the vagina and on its walls. Such localization of growths excludes the possibility for women to accurately act on the surface of genital warts, and there is a high risk of burning the surrounding tissues.

From traditional medicine, you can use sea buckthorn oil, which has a bactericidal effect, ammonia and tar soap.

It should be understood that alternative methods of treatment are an addition to the main therapy, since they cannot rid a woman of the root cause of the appearance of genital warts. It is possible to get rid of the human papillomavirus only with the help of long-term systemic treatment under the supervision of a qualified specialist.

Important! The use of any recipe for traditional medicine requires a mandatory discussion with the attending physician.

Prevention of the appearance of papillomas in the vagina

Eating fruits - preventing the appearance of papillomas in the vagina

Prevention of the appearance of papillomas in the vagina is reduced to the observance of the following recommendations:

  • not to have questionable sex without using a condom;
  • if possible, inquire about the state of health of the sexual partner;
  • carefully monitor personal hygiene;
  • avoid nervous and physical overload;
  • adhere to the correct diet, eat more fruits and vegetables;
  • consult a doctor at the first symptoms of the disease.

In conclusion, it should be said that HPV is a very common virus, and not all patients have pronounced symptoms of infection. The appearance of papillomas in the vagina requires treatment at the earliest stages of the disease, in this case, complex therapy can give a good effect.