Papillomas on the labia are pathogenic structures in the intimate area of a woman caused by one or more genotypes of the papilloma virus. And although not all strains that provoke the development of tumors in this area are oncogenic, the disease must be treated. Even small growths in such a sensitive area can be damaged and subsequently cause a number of complications. Considering the prevalence of the disease, every woman should know what to do for papillomas on the labia, which doctor to see and what procedures to carry out. Particular attention should be paid to preventive measures, because practically no one is immune from papillomas on the labia minora.
Causes of papillomas on the labia
Having seen a photo of papilloma on the labia, one should not blame the patient for promiscuity. Indeed, HPV is most often transmitted through intimate intimacy, but this is not the only possible way for pathogenic microorganisms to reach a patient. HPV is also transmitted as a result of ordinary household contacts or at the time of birth. In this case, the carrier of the virus may not even be aware of his infection. A person with a well-functioning immune system is a carrier of the disease, but will not find unpleasant growths on himself.
In order for the papilloma virus on the labia to begin to manifest itself in the form of the proliferation of pathogenic formations, a combination of several factors is necessary:
- presence of HPV in the body;
- decreased protective functions of the body;
- a woman's inattention to her own health.
The virus, not contained by the patient’s immune system, destructively affects the process of cell division, causing the appearance of benign structures. And if such a process is not stopped in the early stages, the protective functions are not restored, then the woman turns to the doctor with a specific question about the removal of papillomas on the labia, and not with questions about the prevention of the disease. A decrease in immunity, and accordingly, activation of the virus, is facilitated by constant stress, seasonal vitamin deficiency, age-related hormonal imbalance or pregnancy.
Note!Men are much less likely to suffer from formations in the anogenital area, although they are carriers of diseases. The reason for this is also the specific structure of the woman’s genital organs, which are more susceptible to the appearance of microcracks, and, accordingly, to local decreases in protective functions.
Symptoms of papillomas on the labia
Whatever the cause of infection (violation of hygiene standards in public places or unprotected sexual intercourse), it is important to establish the presence of the disease in a timely manner. Treatment in the early stages is much easier and faster. To do this, it is enough to regularly examine the intimate area yourself, as well as visit a gynecologist for preventive examinations.
Photos of papillomas on the labia can easily be found online and compared with a developing growth. During a self-examination or a routine visit to the doctor, the following may be discovered:
- Unit formations- small flesh-colored seals, rarely exceeding 6 mm in diameter.
- Multiple structures, in appearance the formations resemble a cockscomb. Such growths are evidence of an advanced stage of the disease. If the formations are injured during standard hygiene procedures, their color may change from flesh to dark brown.
Not all structures have a flat shape; some HPV genotypes provoke the formation of formations on a thin stalk.
Some symptoms that require an immediate visit to the doctor are discomfort and even pain in the intimate area when performing standard hygiene procedures or sexual intercourse, and unusual discharge. The papilloma virus on the labia may initially affect the hidden area of the intimate area.
Self-studying photos of papillomas on the labia and identifying similar formations does not eliminate the need to visit a doctor. Only a thorough diagnosis will help establish the real cause of the disease and determine the best treatment methods.
Initial conclusions about papilloma on the labia can be made during a visual examination by a professional. However, the final diagnosis is made after a series of tests that identify not just the presence of the virus in the body, but its genotype and the concentration of active cells. A patient who has not yet developed growths in the intimate area, but is suspected of being infected with the virus, will receive a similar list of tests.
List of tests:
- blood and urine to assess general health;
- tissue biopsy for already formed growths;
- PCR test and Digen test are narrow-profile tests to confirm the presence of the virus in the body and determine its strain.
The woman should also visit a gynecologist, since there is a possibility that the activation of the virus has caused not only papillomas on the outer labia, but also on the inside of the reproductive organs (vagina, cervix). Based on the test results and general assessment of the patient’s health, therapy is prescribed.
Note!Papillomas on the labia can appear under the simultaneous influence of various strains of the virus, some of them are oncogenic (16, 18, 33 and others). Only a complete examination will help identify all active genotypes.
Methods for treating papillomas on the labia
A special feature of the treatment of papillomas on the labia is its complex nature. That is, the patient is prescribed antiviral and immunostimulating drugs to activate the body’s internal reserves to fight the virus (the so-called conservative treatment), and, if necessary, hardware procedures are prescribed to remove formations. Mild growths (single and small in size) can also be treated with medications, and in some cases even with compounds recommended by alternative medicine. Thus, early diagnosis greatly simplifies treatment.
Medicines for papillomas on the labia
The main course of internal drug therapy is aimed at improving protective functions. The body is stimulated to fight the virus from the inside. For this purpose, for papillomas on the labia, the following may be prescribed:
- Antiviral drugs, suppressing the development of pathogenic microorganisms.
- Immunomodulators, which, thanks to synthetic elements, help the immune system perform its tasks.
- Immunostimulantsthat help the immune system function.
Note!There is no single method of drug treatment for papillomas on the labia. The doctor selects the drugs, their dosage and combinations based on the patient’s condition, individually in each specific case.
Removal of papillomas on the labia
Multiple small formations lead to the question of how to get rid of papillomas on the labia using the surgical method. Modern medicine has a large selection of hardware procedures for destruction:
- Electric current- a rather painful, but accessible method that has proven itself for many years.
- Cryodestruction— removal of formations under the influence of low temperatures.
- Laser— advanced technologies allow you to remove the growth without pain using high temperatures.
- Radio knife- the most modern method, removal of papilloma on the labia is carried out using directed radio waves.
Traditional surgical interventions today are used extremely rarely if there is a risk of malignancy of the formation or its large size does not allow the removal of the papilloma by another method. Excision with a scalpel requires a long rehabilitation period, and after that it can leave a scar.
Note!All of the listed methods can be used to remove papillomas on the outer and inner labia. But in view of the greater sensitivity of the mucous membrane of the labia minora, it is preferable to choose a laser or radio knife for destruction at this location.
Traditional medicine against papillomas on the labia
When treating papillomas on the labia with folk recipes, you must follow a number of rules:
- The compositions must be prepared immediately before applying to the growth, unless this is specifically stated in the recipe;
- Do not exceed the dosage indicated in the prescription;
- If at the time of using the product a burning sensation appears, the papilloma begins to grow or deform, you must stop self-medication and consult a doctor;
- If the papilloma does not go away within the specified time frame, you cannot do without the help of a specialist.
The most popular folk recipes for papilloma on the labia are also the simplest. It is recommended to lubricate the growth with celandine or Kalanchoe juice twice a day. After 2-3 weeks, you can expect destruction of the papilloma.
Another equally popular recipe is compresses made from finely grated potatoes. Only red potato tubers are suitable for treatment. The compress must be replaced with a fresh one every 12 hours. The procedure is repeated for at least 30 days.
Important!The difficulty in calculating the concentration of the drug is the reason why most doctors do not support the treatment of papillomas on the labia using traditional medicine methods. An increased dose of the active substance can lead to irritation of adjacent healthy tissues.
Preventive measures against papillomas on the labia
The appearance of growths in the intimate area is prevented by vaccination against the human papillomavirus. Such vaccinations are not mandatory in the post-Soviet countries, but can be performed on adolescents at the request of their parents. Vaccines are recommended for girls from 9 to 15 years of age, that is, before the onset of sexual activity.
Also, preventive measures against papilloma on the labia are:
- compliance with personal hygiene rules;
- giving up bad habits, promiscuity;
- proper nutrition and moderate exercise;
- preventive examinations by doctors;
- refusal to self-medicate papillomas on other parts of the body.
The appearance of papillomas on the labia indicates not only the presence of a virus in the body, but also systemic failures (decreased immunity, local inflammation or various diseases). Such signals should never be ignored. It is necessary to remove papillomas on the labia in the early stages, preventing their secondary infection or oncological transformation. Fortunately, modern medicine makes it possible to eliminate unpleasant growths quickly and almost painlessly.