Protecting the Fetus from Genital Warts Danger
Condyloma acuminatum disease is genital warts that can affect the fetus carried by the mother.
Genital warts can be experienced by both fathers and mothers. Genital warts are caused by infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), and this virus can attack the genital area and affect areas such as the penis, vulva, vagina, anus, and surrounding areas.
HPV virus can have negative effects on fertility, such as increasing the risk of cervical cancer in women. Condyloma acuminatum in pregnant mothers can also affect the fetus during childbirth. Find out how to prevent it here.
Causes and Symptoms of Genital Warts
There are many types of viruses called human papillomavirus (HPV), and some of them can cause the growth of warts on various parts of the body. For example, there are types of HPV that cause warts on the hands or feet, while other types can cause genital warts in the genital area.
It is important to remember that genital warts are not transmitted by touching oneself or others who have warts on their hands or feet. This is because the type of HPV that causes warts on the hands or feet is different from the type that causes genital warts.
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Therefore, transmission of genital warts generally occurs through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity, not through touching warts on other parts of the body.
Here are some ways genital warts can spread:
Sexual intercourse, including anal, vaginal-penile, and vaginal-vaginal.
Genital touching (skin-to-skin contact without ejaculation).
Engaging in oral sex with someone experiencing HPV or genital warts.
Receiving oral sex from someone who has HPV or genital warts in the mouth, lips, or tongue.
Genital warts appear as rough skin-colored or white growths on the skin in the genital area. Genital warts often have a rough appearance like cauliflower, but some are flat. Genital warts usually do not cause pain. However, they can sometimes cause:
Light bleeding.
Burning sensation.
Discomfort in the genital area.
Genital itching or irritation.
Some warts are very small but can usually be felt or seen. Sometimes warts cluster together or become very large and have a stalk-like appearance. Most warts start as small, soft growths and may not be noticeable.
Risk Factors for Genital Warts
Most sexually active people will be infected with genital HPV at some point. Factors that can increase the risk of infection include:
Not getting the HPV vaccine.
Having sex without a condom or with more than one partner.
Having had other sexually transmitted infections.
Having sex with a partner whose sexual history is unknown.
Starting sexual activity at a young age.
Having a weakened immune system, such as in HIV patients or people taking drugs after organ transplantation.
Dangers of Genital Warts on Fertility and Pregnancy
To date, no studies have found that genital warts themselves affect the fertility of fathers or mothers. However, it should be noted that although genital warts may not directly affect fertility, the HPV virus that causes genital warts can increase the risk of health problems that can affect fertility.
Some types of HPV are associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer in mothers. Untreated cervical cancer can affect fertility because it may require treatment that damages reproductive organs.
In addition, in pregnant mothers, genital warts can grow larger. This can cause problems such as difficulty urinating. In particular, if warts grow on the vaginal wall, they can obstruct the stretching of the vaginal tissue during childbirth. This condition can make the childbirth process more difficult and cause bleeding if the warts are large enough.
Furthermore, although very rare, there is a possibility that babies born to mothers with genital warts can develop warts in their throats. This is a serious situation because it can cause airway obstruction in babies. In such cases, the baby may require surgery to keep the airway open.
Genital warts can also affect the birthing process and cause complications. Sometimes, treatment procedures to remove genital warts may be necessary during pregnancy to reduce the risk of complications during childbirth.
Treatment for Genital Warts
Genital warts may disappear naturally due to the body’s immune system response to the infection causing them. However, genital warts also have the potential to grow larger, proliferate, or cause increased discomfort.
Removing genital warts can reduce the risk of infection spread, as they are more contagious when they are present. There are various ways to remove genital warts, and fathers or mothers may require multiple treatments to eliminate them. During the treatment process, it is advisable to avoid sexual contact.
Doctors may use one of these methods to treat genital warts:
Electrocautery, electrical current to burn off warts.
Cryotherapy, during cryotherapy, doctors use liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy warts.
Laser therapy, laser light destroys small blood vessels inside warts, cutting off their blood supply.
Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), with LEEP, doctors use a wire loop charged with electricity to remove warts. This method may be used to remove warts on the cervix.
Topical medications (skin), doctors may apply ointments to treat genital warts, and mothers can also purchase genital wart creams at pharmacies.
Surgery, doctors may cut out warts for further examination if the warts do not respond to other treatments.
It is important to remember that treatment to remove genital warts does not cure HPV. Even though warts have been removed and there are no active symptoms, mothers or fathers can still spread HPV.
Genital warts and HPV are lifelong conditions, meaning that even after removal, warts may reappear. Each person’s response to treatment is different, so discuss with a doctor to determine the appropriate wart removal options for fathers or mothers.
Prevention of Genital Warts
HPV vaccines are effective in preventing genital warts by protecting the body from the types of HPV that cause them. It is recommended to receive the vaccine at a young age, around 11-12 years old, but people up to 45 years old can also get it.
In addition to preventing genital warts, this vaccine also protects against some types of cancers associated with HPV. Consult with a healthcare professional to get the HPV vaccine.
Those are the explanations about preventing genital warts for mothers who are pregnant. For more information on pregnancy, fertility, and in vitro fertilization programs, read more at Bocah Indonesia.
This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Chitra Fatimah.
Source:
- Puspawati, et al. (2018). A Retrospective Study of Condyloma Acuminata Profile In Outpatient Clinic Of Dermato-Venereology Sanglah General Hospital Denpasar, Bali-Indonesia Period 2015-2017. Bali Dermatology and Venereology Journal, 1, pp. 1–3. https://balidv.id/index.php/balidv/article/view/9
- Erman-Vlahovic, et al. (2017). Coexistence of Condylomata Acuminata with Warty Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Medical Archives, 71(1), pp. 72–75. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5364785/
- Sharma, N., Sharma, S., & Singhal, C. (2017). A Comparative Study of Liquid Nitrogen Cryotherapy as Monotherapy versus in Combination with Podophyllin in the Treatment of Condyloma Acuminata. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 11(3), pp. WC01–WC05. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5427413/
- Cleveland Clinic (2020). Health. Genital Warts.
- Mayo Clinic (2022). Diseases & Conditions. Genital Warts.
- Gabrielee, K. Healthline (2020). Everything You Need to Know About Sex Toys and STIs
