Papillomas on the labia are a rather delicate problem that leads to dissatisfaction and a decrease in the quality of sex life. They are difficult to hide, they can cause discomfort during sex, so papillomas need to be removed. In addition, in some cases, female genital growth can be a dangerous risk of cancer.
Causes of papilloma formation
Papillomas on the lips or genital warts are a consequence of human papillomavirus infection. In total, there are more than 100 strains of this virus that differ in the type of neoplasm and the degree of risk of developing oncology.
The virus enters the body mainly during sexual contact, when immunity is reduced. At the same time, a man who infects a woman may not have visible signs of the virus because male papillomas do not always appear on the skin.
Decreased immunity results from recently transmitted infectious diseases, vitamin deficiencies, or chronic stress. Papillomas on the labia can cause a decrease in local immunity due to a variety of inflammatory and infectious diseases of the genitals, including thrush and bacterial vaginosis. At the same time, it is enough to use other people's personal hygiene products for the infection to cause non-aesthetic growths on the lips after a while.
Thus, despite the fact that the virus is transmitted from one person to another, the causes of papillomas in the female lips are as follows:
- decreased immunity after ARVI, pneumonia, influenza or tonsillitis;
- vaginal infections;
- failure to observe personal hygiene;
- stress;
- unbalanced diet;
- the presence of a chronic source of infection in the body;
- unfair sex.
All of these factors lead to a decrease in immunity, both general and local. As a result, the body becomes sensitive to various adverse effects and cannot resist the human papillomavirus.
Quite often the virus does not occur, constrained by human immunity. This is true only if the person is completely healthy. The virus can then be asymptomatic in the body for a long time. The formation of papillomas will result from a decrease in immunity. If this does not happen in the coming years, the body can cope with the virus on its own, but spontaneous treatment usually lasts at least 18 months.
What do papillomas look like on the genitals?
How an infection occurs in a woman's lips depends on several factors:
- virus type;
- the concentration of the virus in the body;
- localization of growth.
The formation of papillomas on the small labia is caused by the influence of oncogenic or relatively oncogenic strains of the virus (16, 18, 31, 32, 45 and other types). It’s easy to understand what such papillomas look like on the labia, knowing what a warts are. These are small papules with uneven edges rising above the mucosal surface. They are usually not different in color or are slightly lighter than the mucous membranes. Manifestations of the papillomavirus on the labia, provoking the development of genital warts, can spread to a woman’s perineum, vulva, and vagina.
Condylomas always form only on the mucosa. Papillomas on the inner labia of women do not occur, they occur only in places where there is a thin epidermis.
Papillomas are small balls on the leg that rise above the skin. They have smooth edges of the right shape, may be slightly lighter or darker than the rest of the skin. When pressed, the papillomas on the labia do not hurt, a uniform growth structure is felt under the fingers. This type of neoplasm occurs in the groin wrinkles and on the large labia.
Almost any known method is used to remove papillomas from the labia because the risk of burns or deep damage to the epidermis is minimal. Papilloma treatment of the small labia is carried out comprehensively because such growths are potentially dangerous.
Warts can form in the following areas:
- small labia;
- vulva;
- vagina;
- Cervix;
- anal opening;
- crotch;
- urethra.
A photo of a papilloma on the labia is no different from images of growth in other parts of the body, while papillomas or warts in the vagina and vagina are difficult to spot separately.
The formation of papillomas on 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 the child becoming infected through the birth canal.
Why are papillomas dangerous?
Sexual contact and the human papillomavirus on the labia of women are directly related. First, there is a risk of transmission of the virus to the sexual partner through contact with the affected mucosa. Second, abrasion during intercourse can damage papillomas and warts, which are accompanied by pain. There is a risk of contracting papilloma when it becomes inflamed and can begin to develop into cancer.
There are cases where a woman has a large papilloma on the big labia due to repeated injuries. No woman is insured against such risks. Large growths are very dangerous and need to be eliminated first.
Papilloma on the labia minora and vagina can lead to the development of cervical cancer. This is due to the activity of the papillomavirus, which manifests itself in the excessive division of epithelial cells on the small labia and other parts of the mucosa. In this case, the damage to the cervical cells develops in several stages. First, erosion is caused by HPV on the labia, then it turns into dysplasia, which is a precancerous condition. If dysplasia is not treated in time, cervical cancer develops.
It should be understood that any papillomas on the lining of the labia are a potential hazard. The papilloma itself can develop into cancer and not just provoke cervical oncology. Signs of malignant papilloma include increased growth, pain and itching, discharge with an unpleasant odor from the growth body, and blackening of the affected area of skin. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor - an oncologist, gynecologist or dermatovenerologist - as soon as possible.
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 papillomas and not recur on the labia.
To get rid of papillomas on the labia should be consistent. First, the virus is inhibited, then the growth itself is removed and, if necessary, immunostimulatory therapy is performed. To accurately determine the treatment sequence, PCR analysis should be performed, which indicates the degree of activity and concentration of the virus, as well as the detection of its strain.
If a woman is found to have a potentially dangerous strain of the virus, 16 or 18 years of age, complex therapy is needed. In this case, each removed papilloma is sent for histological analysis and a thorough examination of the cervix for epithelial changes is performed.
How to remove papillomas on the labia depends on the exact location. Skin tumors are removed by any available method, from surgical to folk. This is because the skin on the big labia is thick enough that there are rarely complications after removal. It is fair to say that labia majora formations in most cases do not pose a health risk and do not cause cancer.
Removal of genital warts from the mucosa is performed using laser radiation or radio wave method. These two methods are considered the mildest, although they do not clog growth-feeding vessels, so the risk of bleeding is minimal. After removal of tumors from the cervix or vagina, histological analysis is necessary to avoid the pathological process.
You should consult your doctor on how to remove papillomas on the labia. If the analysis has shown high levels of the virus in the body, there is a risk of genital warts recurring, leading to a combination therapy involving three stages.
- Once a strain of the virus has been identified, the woman is given antiviral and immunomodulatory treatment. This is necessary to suppress the virus and reduce the risk of papilloma recurrence.
- After drug therapy, which lasts an average of several weeks, the papillomas are removed by a method of your choice and agreed with your doctor. Laser removal or radio wave method is recommended.
- The analysis should be repeated some time after the removal of the growth. If the virus concentration is still high, a second course of drug therapy is given.
The drugs used to treat papillomas are in the form of tablets and ointments. Antiviral ointments with immunomodulatory properties are recommended for the treatment of cutaneous papillomas. If growths occur on the mucosa, the tablets are prescribed.
Usually, after the removal of papillomas and treatment with drugs, the body heals on its own after a few months or years. To prevent the formation of papillomas, a woman must follow the rules of hygiene, maintain her immunity and avoid unprotected sex.