Papillomas on the vaginal lips are a rather delicate problem that causes dissatisfaction with oneself and a decrease in the quality of sexual life. They are difficult to hide, they can cause discomfort during sexual intercourse, so the papillomas must be removed. Also, in some cases, growths on the genitals of women can pose a dangerous risk of developing cancer.
Reasons for the formation of papillomas.
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, which differ 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 decrease in immunity. At the same time, a man who has infected a woman may not have visible signs of the presence of the virus, since papillomas in men do not always appear on the skin.
A decrease in immunity occurs against the background of recently transferred infectious diseases, lack of vitamins or chronic stress. Papillomas on the lips can be caused by a decrease in local immunity, as a result of various inflammatory and infectious diseases of the genital organs, such as thrush 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 unsightly growths appear on the lips.
Therefore, despite the fact that the virus is transmitted from one person to another, the reasons for the appearance of papillomas on the lips of women are as follows:
- decreased immunity after ARVI, pneumonia, flu, or tonsillitis;
- vaginal infections;
- non-compliance with personal hygiene;
- stress;
- unbalanced diet;
- the presence of a chronic focus of infection in the body;
- promiscuous sex.
All these factors lead to a decrease in immunity, both general and local. As a result, the body becomes susceptible to various negative influences and cannot resist the human papillomavirus.
Most often, the virus does not manifest itself, restricted by human immunity. This is true only if the person is completely healthy. So the virus can remain asymptomatic in the body for a long time. The formation of papillomas will occur against the background of a decrease in immunity. If this does not happen in the next few years, the body can cope with the virus on its own; however, self-healing usually takes at least 18 months.
What do papillomas look like on the genitals?
The way the infection manifests itself on the lips of a woman depends on several factors:
- type of virus;
- the concentration of the virus in the body;
- growth location.
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 how such papillomas look on the lips, knowing what condyloma is. These are small papillae with serrated edges that rise above the surface of the mucous membrane. They usually do not differ in color or are slightly lighter than mucous membranes. Manifestations of the papillomavirus on the lips, which provoke the development of genital warts, can spread to the perineum, vulva and vagina of a woman.
Condylomas always form only on the mucous membranes. Papillomas on the inner lips of women do not appear, they form only in areas with a thin epidermis.
Papillomas are small balls on the leg that rise above the skin. They have smooth edges in the right way, they can be a little lighter or darker than the rest of the skin. When pressed, papillomas on the lips do not hurt, under the fingers the homogeneous structure of growth is felt. This type of neoplasm appears in the folds of the groin and on the labia majora.
Almost all known methods are used to remove papillomas on the lips, since the risks of burns or deep damage to the epidermis are minimal. Treatment of papillomas on the labia minora is carried out comprehensively, since such growths are potentially dangerous.
Warts can form in the following areas:
- small lips;
- vulva;
- vagina;
- Cervix;
- anal opening;
- crotch;
- urethra.
The photo of the papilloma on the lips does not differ from the pictures of growths on other parts of the body, while papillomas or condylomas on the vagina and vagina are difficult to notice on their own.
The formation of papilloma on the lips 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 infection of the child as it passes through the birth canal.
Why are papillomas dangerous?
Sexual contact and the human papillomavirus on the lips of women are directly related. First of all, when coming into contact with the affected mucosa, there is a risk of transmitting the virus to the sexual partner. Second, with friction during intercourse, the papillomas and condylomas can be damaged, which is accompanied by pain. There is a risk of papilloma infection, as it becomes inflamed and can begin to degenerate into cancer.
There are cases when, due to repeated injuries, a woman has a huge papilloma on the labia majora. No woman is insured against such risk. Large growths are very dangerous and must be removed first.
Papilloma on the mucous membrane of the labia minora and in the vagina can lead to the development of cervical cancer. This is due to the activity of the papilloma virus, which is manifested by an excessive division of epithelial cells in the labia minora and other parts of the mucous membrane. In this case, the damage to the cells of the cervix develops in several stages. First, erosion is formed due to HPV on the lips, then it turns into dysplasia, which is a precancerous condition. The lack of timely treatment of dysplasia leads to the development of cervical cancer.
It should be understood that any papilloma on the mucous membrane of the lips is a potential danger. The papilloma itself can degenerate into cancer and not just lead to cervical oncology. Signs of malignant papilloma are an increase in the size of the growth, pain and itching, discharge with an unpleasant body odor from the growth, and blackening of the skin of the affected area. If you notice such symptoms, you should see 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 self-medicate, but to consult a doctor who will tell you in detail what to do to remove and prevent the reappearance of papillomas on the lips.
To get rid of papillomas on the lips you need to be constant. First, the activity of the virus is suppressed, then the growth itself is eliminated, and, if necessary, immunostimulating therapy is carried out. To accurately determine the sequence of treatment, a PCR analysis must be passed, 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 strain of the virus, 16 or 18, complex therapy is needed. In this case, each removed papilloma is sent for histological analysis and a comprehensive examination of the cervix is carried out to detect changes in the epithelium.
The way 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 on the labia majora is thick enough that there are rarely complications after removal. It is fair to say that the formations on the labia majora in most cases do not pose a health hazard and do not cause cancer.
Removal of genital warts on mucous membranes is carried out with the help of laser exposure or radio wave method. These two methods are considered the gentlest, while they do not obstruct the vessels that feed the growth, so the risk of bleeding is minimal. When removing neoplasms of the cervix or vagina, a histological analysis is required to exclude the onset of the pathological process.
You should consult your doctor on how to remove papillomas on the lips. If the analysis showed a high concentration of the virus in the body, there is a risk that genital warts will re-form, therefore, complex therapy is carried out, which includes three stages.
- After determining the strain of the virus, the woman is prescribed antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy. This is necessary to suppress the virus and minimize the risk of new papilloma formation.
- After drug therapy, which lasts for several weeks on average, the papillomas are removed using the method selected and agreed with the doctor. The laser or radio wave removal method is recommended.
- Some time after the removal of the growths, the analysis should be repeated. If the concentration of the virus is still high, a second cycle 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 mucous membranes, it is indicated to take pills.
As a rule, after removal of papillomas and drug therapy, the body heals on its own after a few months or years. To avoid the new formation of papillomas, a woman should follow the rules of hygiene, maintain her own immunity, and avoid unprotected sexual intercourse.