Genital warts are soft, moist, or flesh colored and appear in the genital area within weeks or months after infection. They sometimes appear in clusters that resemble cauliflower-like bumps, and are either raised or flat, small or large. Genital warts can show up in women on the vulva and cervix, and inside and surrounding the vagina and anus. In men, genital warts can appear on the scrotum or penis. There are cases where genital warts have been found on the thigh and groin.

Genital warts symptoms can be many and varied, and in some cases can even be mistaken for something else. This is especially true if the genital HPV condition doesn't manifest itself in a physical manner such as warts.

It is possible to have genital warts symptoms with no displayed warts. Some cases of genital warts can be nearly invisible to the naked eye.

Always consult with a doctor if you suspect you may have genital warts. The attending physician will take into consideration your genital warts symptoms, and make a diagnosis based on the symptoms.

It is possible that symptoms of genital warts may be missed if the warts are located within the vaginal walls. Always seek immediate help if you start displaying any of the genital warts symptoms. In some cases genital warts symptoms may be considered as symptoms of other problems, such as a yeast infection.

Leaving a condition untreated and ignoring genital warts symptoms and can lead to more serious conditions. Cancer of the cervix is a dangerous possibility. HIV-AIDS is a possibility.

Sometimes genital warts are not the cause of the medical condition. Instead, genital warts may be evidence or symptoms of the medical condition.

However, although you might be able to fight off the genital warts symptoms, the underlying virus, the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) cannot be cured.

Your doctor may be able to identify some otherwise invisible warts in your genital tissue by applying vinegar (acetic acid) to areas of your body that might be infected. This solution causes infected areas to whiten, which makes them more visible. In some cases, a health care provider will take a small piece of tissue from the cervix and examine it under the microscope.

Depending on factors such as the size and location of your genital warts, your health care provider will offer you one of several ways to treat them.

• Trichloroacetic acid (TCA)
• Imiquimod cream
• 0.5 percent podofilox solution
• 20 percent podophyllin antimitotic solution
• 5 percent 5-fluorouracil cream

Seb Branson