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They are currently known as the most common sexually transmitted disease in the U.S.  Because HPV itself is not a disease but a group of viruses that contribute to different diseases, and cervical cancer is not caused by the strain of HPV that causes genital warts, you should still be checked out by a doctor because cervical cancer is caused by certain types of HPV.  Also, abnormal growths that are checked early can also be cured more easily than those that have fully grown.
 
Feeling as if the whole world knows about your genital warts, many will put off going to a doctor for treatment because genital warts are associated with an STD (sexually transmitted disease).

Genital warts are small fleshy bumps similar to a regular wart.  Most women get them in and outside the vagina, the cervix (opening to the womb), or even around the anus.

For men, they can be found on the shaft or, usually the tip of the penis and also the scrotum.

Genital warts are spread through direct contact with the skin and can also be found in the mouth or throat of a person (usually when there is oral sex involved).  These warts vary in size; some are smaller than the tip of a ballpoint pen, or can be as large as a very large pimple.  They can cluster together and look like a cauliflower.

Genital warts are highly contagious and spread rapidly.  There may be instances of bleeding, itching and mild pain, especially if the wart is located in a woman’s vagina.

 As far as the over-the-counter genital wart medications you need to be quite careful.  Not all of these wart removers can be used on sensitive areas of the body first of all.  Plus you are not sure you can really get rid of them because almost all the medications are not “good enough” (for lack of a better term) to be used in getting rid of genital warts.

Your best bet is to find a competent doctor and follow his advice to help get rid of this problem.  Most likely you will have the choice of medications or surgical methods.  The choice is yours.  If you are pregnant you would have to choose the surgical procedure because you would not be allowed to take the medications due to the side effects and the baby.

Because it is difficult to diagnose a genital  wart it is best to be checked by a doctor right away.  An acetic solution can be applied on the area to whiten the warts so they can be seen through a colposcope (special microscope).  Women can have a pap test to determine if the warts have made any changes on their cervix. 

Genital warts cannot be eliminated.  In many cases the HPV infection will go away by itself without any significant complications.  With genital warts, the warts can be removed, but that doesn’t eliminate the virus that causes them.  That is why genital wart recurrences do happen.

There are topical treatments for removing warts that you can apply yourself.  These treatments work by “burning” off the bumps and warts.  You have the privacy of doing this in your own home without needing someone else to apply  the treatment for you.  (With genital warts would you want someone else to do it?)

The down-side of this is that these treatments are for EXTERNAL use only and can only be used on the external warts around your pubic area; internal warts need to be treated by your physician.

Any treatment over-the-counter is not going to work – it would be bet to consult your physician who may have a specific treatment for you.

Although it sounds simple enough applying the treatment yourself, you need to keep in mind that these are chemicals and they can cause irritation when applied on non-infected skin.  If that happens, immediately wash the area.  And ALWAYS read the instructions and adhere strictly to the dosage.

If you are pregnant, do NOT attempt to use this type of medication.

If topical treatments do not work, you may need to have surgery. 

Cryotherapy will freeze the warts using liquid nitrogen.  This needs to be done every week to two weeks.  In time the skin will heal and the warts begin to slough off, allowing the new skin to form.

Electrocautery is using an electrical current to burn off the wart.
 
Excisions are very similar to surgery; instruments are used to cut off the warts (anesthesia is applied).

Laser surgery is the last resort, usually used for the very tough to treat and extensive warts.  This is a very expensive procedure.

Remember that even though the warts can be removed – the virus will always be there.  Prevention is the only way to stay genital wart-free.  How?  Abstain from sex as much as possible.  Genital warts are caused by HPV – the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States.  Each time you engage in any sexual activity with anyone, you risk a 7% chance of HPV infection.

Condoms are not enough to prevent genital wart infection (or any HPV infection for that matter).  These warts are caused by skin contact with someone who has them.  Condoms do not cover the entire genital area.