Papillomas on the labia are a very delicate problem that causes dissatisfaction with oneself and reduced quality of sex life. They are difficult to hide, they can cause discomfort during intercourse, so papillomas should be removed. In addition, in some cases, growths on the genitals in women can be a dangerous risk factor for developing cancer.
Reasons for papilloma formation
Papillomas on the labia or genital warts are a consequence of human papillomavirus infection. In total, there are more than 100 types of this virus, which vary in the type of neoplasms and the degree of risk of developing oncology.
The virus enters the body mainly through sexual contact against the background of a decline in immunity. At the same time, a man who has infected a woman may have no obvious signs of the presence of the virus, as papillomas in men do not always appear on the skin.
A decline in immunity occurs against the background of recently transferred infectious diseases, vitamin deficiency or chronic stress. Papillomas on the labia can be caused by a decrease in local immunity as a result of various inflammatory and infectious diseases of the genitals, including mosquitoes and bacterial vaginosis. At the same time, for infection, it is enough to use other people's personal hygiene products, so that after a while in the labia appear unaesthetic growths.
Thus, despite the fact that the virus is transmitted from one person to another, the reasons for the appearance of papillomas on the labia in women are as follows:
- decreased immunity after ARVI, pneumonia, influenza or tonsillitis;
- vaginal infections;
- non-observance of personal hygiene;
- stress;
- unbalanced diet;
- the presence of a chronic focus of infection in the body;
- debauched sex.
All these factors lead to a decrease in immunity, general and local. As a result, the body becomes susceptible to various negative influences and can not resist human papillomavirus.
Too often, the virus does not show up, contained by human immunity. This is only true if the person is completely healthy. Then the virus can be asymptomatic in the body for a long time. Papilloma formation will occur against the background of a decline in immunity. If this does not happen in the coming years, the body can cope with the virus on its own, however, self-healing usually lasts at least 18 months.
What do papillomas look like on the genitals?
How the infection appears in a woman's labia depends on several factors:
- virus type;
- the concentration of the virus in the body;
- localization of growths.
The formation of papillomas in the labia minora is caused by the influence of oncogenic strains or oncogenic condition of the virus (16, 18, 31, 32, 45 and other types). It is quite easy to understand what such papillomas look like on the labia, knowing what condyloma is. These are small papillae with serrated edges that rise above the surface of the mucosa. They usually do not change in color, or are slightly lighter than the mucous membranes. Manifestations of the papilloma virus in the labia, provoking the development of genital warts, can spread to a woman’s perineum, vulva, and vagina.
Warts always form only on the mucosa. Papillomas in the inner labia in women do not appear, they form only in areas with a thin epidermis.
Papillomas are small balls on the legs that rise above the skin. They have smooth borders of the right shape, may be slightly lighter or darker than the rest of the skin. When pressed, papillomas in the labia do not damage, under the fingers feels the homogeneous growth structure. This type of neoplasm appears in the folds of the hips and in the labia majora.
Almost every known method is used to remove papillomas on the labia, as the risks of burning or deep damage to the epidermis are minimal. Treatment of papillomas in the labia minora is carried out comprehensively, as such growths are potentially dangerous.
Warts can form in the following areas:
- small labia;
- vulva;
- vagina;
- Cervix;
- anal opening;
- crotch;
- urethra
The picture of papilloma on the labia does not differ from the images of growths on other parts of the body, while papillomas or warts on the vagina and vagina are difficult to see on their own.
The formation of papilloma in the labia during pregnancy is associated with a decrease in immunity. In this case, timely treatment of the consequences of HPV plays an important role, otherwise there is a risk of infecting the baby while passing through the birth canal.
Why are papillomas dangerous?
Sexual contact and human papilloma virus in the labia in women are directly related. First, after contact with the affected mucosa, there is a risk of transmitting the virus to the sexual partner. Second, by rubbing during intercourse, papillomas and warts can be damaged, which is associated with pain. There is a risk of papilloma infection as it becomes inflamed and may begin to degenerate into cancer.
There are cases when, due to recurrent injuries, a woman has a large papilloma in the labia majora. No woman is safe from such a risk. Large growths are very dangerous and must be removed first.
Papillomas in the mucosa of the labia minora and in the vagina can lead to the development of cervical cancer. This is due to papillomavirus activity, which is manifested by excessive division of epithelial cells in the labia minora and other parts of the mucosa. In this case, the damage to the cells of the cervix develops in several stages. First, erosion is formed due to HPV in the labia, then it turns into dysplasia, which is a precancerous condition. Lack of timely treatment of dysplasia leads to the development of cervical cancer.
It should be understood that any papilloma in the labia mucosa is a potential risk. Papilloma itself can degenerate into cancer, and not just provoke cervical oncology. Signs of malignant papilloma are an increase in the size of the growth, pain and itching, discharge with an unpleasant odor from the growing body and darkening of the skin of the affected area. If you notice such symptoms, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible - an oncologist, gynecologist or dermatovenerologist.
Treatment and removal of papillomas
How to treat papillomas on the labia depends on their number and size. It is recommended not to treat yourself, but to consult a doctor who will tell you in detail what to do to remove and prevent the recurrence of papillomas on the labia.
To get rid of papillomas on the labia must be consistent. First, the activity of the virus is suppressed, then the growth itself is removed and, if necessary, immunostimulatory therapy is performed. To accurately determine the treatment sequence, a PCR analysis must be performed, which shows the degree of activity and concentration of the virus, and also allows you to determine its strain.
If a woman is found to have a potentially dangerous type of virus, 16 or 18, complex therapy is needed. In this case, any removed papilloma is sent for histological analysis and a thorough examination of the cervix is performed for changes in the epithelium.
How to remove papillomas on the labia depends on the exact location. Skin neoplasms are removed in any available way - from surgical to folk. This is due to the fact that the skin of the labia majora is quite thick, so there are rarely complications after removal. It is fair to say that formations in the labia majora in most cases do not pose a health risk and do not provoke cancer.
Removal of genital warts on the mucosa is performed either with the help of laser exposure or the radio wave method. These two methods are considered milder, as they do not block the vessels that nourish the growth, so the risk of bleeding is minimal. When removing neoplasms from the cervix or vagina, a histological analysis is required to rule out the onset of the pathological process.
You should consult your doctor on how to remove papillomas on the labia. If the analysis showed a high concentration of the virus in the body, there is a risk of re-formation of genital warts, therefore, complex therapy is performed, including three phases.
- After determining the type of virus, the woman is prescribed antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy. This is necessary to suppress the virus and minimize the risk of papilloma re-formation.
- After drug therapy, which lasts an average of several weeks, the papillomas are removed using the method of choice and agreed with the doctor. Laser removal or the radio wave method is recommended.
- Some time after removal of the growths, the analysis should be repeated. If the virus concentration is still high, a second course of drug therapy is prescribed.
Medications used to treat papillomas are available in the form of tablets and ointments. Antiviral ointments with immunomodulatory properties are recommended for the treatment of papillomas on the skin. If growths appear on the mucosa, taking the pill is indicated.
As a rule, after the removal of papillomas and drug therapy, the body heals on its own after a few months or years. To avoid papilloma reshaping, a woman should follow the rules of hygiene, maintain her immunity, and avoid unprotected sex.