Papillomas on the labia are a very sensitive problem that causes dissatisfaction and decreased quality of sexual life. It is difficult to hide, can cause discomfort during intercourse, so papillomas should be removed. In addition, in some cases, genital enlargement in women can be a dangerous risk for developing cancer.
Causes of papillomas
Papillomas on the labia or genital warts are a result of human papillomavirus infection. In total, there are more than 100 strains of the virus, which differ in the type of neoplasms and the degree of risk of developing oncology.
The virus enters the body mainly through sexual intercourse against the background of reduced immunity. At the same time, a man infected with a woman may not have visible symptoms of the virus, because in men, papillomas are not always visible on the skin.
Decreased immunity occurs against the background of recently transmitted infectious diseases, vitamin deficiency or chronic stress. Lip papillomas can cause a decrease in local immunity as a result of various inflammatory and infectious diseases of the genital organs, including cotton swabs and bacterial vaginosis. At the same time, it is enough to use other people's personal hygiene products for the infection, so that after a while non-aesthetic growths appear on the labia.
Thus, despite the fact that the virus is transmitted from one person to another, the reasons for the formation 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 infection in the body;
- perverted sex.
All these factors lead to a decrease in both general and local immunity. As a result, the body becomes sensitive to various adverse effects and is unable to resist human papillomavirus.
Often, the virus is not limited to human immunity. This is true only when a person is completely healthy. Then the virus can be asymptomatic in the body for a long time. The formation of papillomas will occur against the background of reduced immunity. If this does not happen in the coming years, the body may be able to cope with the virus on its own, but self-medication generally takes at least 18 months.
What do genital papillomas look like?
How an infection manifests itself in a woman's labia depends on several factors:
- virus type;
- concentration of the virus in the body;
- localization of growths.
The formation of papillomas on the labia minora is caused by the influence of oncogenic or conditionally oncogenic strains of the virus (16, 18, 31, 32, 45 and other types). It is easy to understand what these papillomas on the lips look like by knowing what a condyloma is. These are small papillae with curved edges rising above the surface of the mucous membrane. They usually do not differ in color or are slightly lighter than the mucous membranes. Manifestations of the papilloma virus on the labia, which causes the development of genital warts, can spread to a woman's perineum, vulva and vagina.
Condylomata always occur only in the mucous membranes. In women, papillomas do not appear on the inner labia, but only in areas with a thin epidermis.
Papillomas are small balls that rise above the skin on the foot. They have well-shaped smooth borders and can be slightly lighter or darker than the rest of the skin. Papillomas on the labia do not hurt when pressed, a homogeneous structure of growth is felt under the fingers. These types of neoplasms appear in the groin folds and large lips.
Almost any method is used to remove papillomas on the labia, as the risk of burns or deep damage to the epidermis is minimal. Papillomas on the labia minora are treated comprehensively, as such growths are potentially dangerous.
Warts can occur in the following areas:
- small labia;
- vulva;
- vagina;
- Cervix;
- anal opening;
- groin;
- urethra
Photographs of papillomas on the labia do not differ from those of growths in other parts of the body, and papillomas or condylomas in the vagina and vagina are difficult to distinguish on their own.
Papilloma on the labia during pregnancy is associated with decreased immunity. In this case, timely treatment of the consequences of HPV plays an important role, otherwise there is a risk of infection of the child through the birth canal.
Why are papillomas dangerous?
In women, sexual contact and human papillomavirus on the labia are directly related. First, there is a risk of the virus passing to a sexual partner when in contact with the affected mucous membrane. Second, papillomas and condylomas, which are accompanied by pain and friction during contact, can be damaged. There is a risk of infection with papilloma, but it can become inflamed and turn into cancer.
There are cases when a woman has a large papilloma on the big lip due to repeated injuries. No woman is insured against such a risk. Large growths are very dangerous and must be removed first.
Papillomas in the mucous membranes of the labia minora and vagina can lead to the development of cervical cancer. This is due to the activity of papillomavirus, which manifests itself in the excessive division of epithelial cells in the labia minora and other parts of the mucous membrane. In this condition, the damage to the cervical cells develops in several stages. Initially, HPV causes erosion on the lips, which then turns into dysplasia, a pre-cancerous condition. Lack of timely treatment of dysplasia leads to the development of cervical cancer.
It should be understood that any papilloma in the mucous membrane of the lips is a potential danger. Papilloma itself can turn into cancer and not just cause cervical oncology. Symptoms of malignant papilloma include an increase in the size of the growth, pain and itching, discharge from the body of the growth with an unpleasant odor, and darkening of the skin of the affected area. If you see such symptoms, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible - an oncologist, gynecologist or dermatovenerologist.
Treatment and removal of papillomas
How papillomas on the labia are treated depends on their number and size. It is recommended that you do not self-medicate, but it is advisable to consult a doctor who will explain in detail what you can do to prevent the reappearance and removal of papillomas on the labia.
It should be consistent to get rid of papillomas on the labia. First, the virus is stopped, then the growth itself is removed, and if necessary, immunostimulatory therapy is performed. To accurately determine the sequence of treatment, a PCR analysis should be performed, which shows the degree of activity and concentration of the virus, as well as its strain.
If a woman is found to have a potentially dangerous type of virus at the age of 16 or 18, complex treatment is needed. In this case, each removed papilloma is sent for histological analysis and a complete examination of the cervix is performed to change the epithelium.
How papillomas on the labia are removed depends on the exact location. Skin neoplasms can be removed in any way - from surgery to the ring. 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 the formation on the labia majora in most cases does not pose a threat to health and does not cause cancer.
Removal of genital mucus in the mucous membranes is performed either by laser or radio wave. These two methods are the mildest, do not clog the arteries that nourish the growth, so the risk of bleeding is minimal. When removing neoplasms from the cervix or vagina, histological analysis is required to rule out the onset of the pathological process.
You should consult your doctor about how to remove papillomas on the lips. If the test shows a high concentration of the virus in the body, there is a risk of recurrence of genital herpes, so it is a complex treatment, including three stages.
- After determining the type of virus, the woman is prescribed antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy. This is to suppress the virus and minimize the risk of recurrence of papillomas.
- After an average of several weeks of drug treatment, papillomas are removed in a manner selected and agreed with the doctor. Laser extraction or radio wave method is recommended.
- The analysis should be repeated some time after the growths have been removed. If the concentration of the virus is still high, a second course of drug treatment is prescribed.
Medicines used in the treatment of papillomas are available in the form of tablets and ointments. Antiviral ointments with immunomodulatory properties are recommended for the treatment of skin papillomas. If growths appear on the mucous membranes, the pill is indicated.
As a rule, after the removal of papillomas and drug treatment, the body heals itself in a few months or years. To prevent the recurrence of papillomas, a woman should follow the rules of hygiene, maintain her immunity and avoid unprotected sex.