Genital Wart Treatment Options

Dear Ask The Doctor: I have (3) genital warts near the base of my penis. One is very small, and the largest is about half the size of a pencil eraser in circumference. I have had them for 8-9 months. When they first appeared, my research advised me that they could become worse in size or number, or completely disappear on their own. In my particular case, I have watched them closely and noticed no change. Although I am not currently sexually active I want to treat this condition before I am active again. What are my options for treatment? What is my most confidential and cost efficient method of treatment as I do not currently carry health insurance?

Dear Robert: Genital warts, sometimes called condyloma acuminata, are flesh-colored or gray growths found in the genital area and anal region of both men and women. They are the most common sexually-transmitted disease caused by a virus: the human papillomavirus (HPV).

There is no single treatment 100% effective in eliminating warts and preventing them from coming back. Genital warts may go away on their own in about 10%-20% of people over a period of three to four months. The treatment options are as follows: Cryotherapy: this freezes the wart using liquid nitrogen or a "cryoprobe." It is an excellent first-line treatment because response rates are high with few side effects. Laser treatment: is used for extensive or recurrent genital warts. It may require local, regional, or general anesthesia. The laser destroys the HPV-induced lesion. It is very costly, increased healing time, scarring, and potentially infectious viral particles in the air caused by the laser plume. Electrodessication: uses an electric current to destroy the warts. It can be done in the office with local anesthesia.