Papillomas on the lips are quite a delicate problem that causes dissatisfaction with oneself and a decrease in the quality of sex life. They are difficult to hide, they can cause discomfort during intercourse, so papillomas must be removed. Also, in some cases, growths on the genitals in women can present a dangerous risk of developing cancer.
Reasons for the formation of papillomas
Papillomas on the lips or genital warts are a consequence of infection with the human papillomavirus. 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 show 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, a 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 genitals, including thrush and bacterial vaginosis. At the same time, for infection it is enough to use the personal hygiene products of other people, so that after some time unsightly growths appear on the lips.
So, despite the fact that the virus is transmitted from person to person, the reasons for the appearance of papillomas on the lips 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 focus of chronic infection in the body;
- promiscuous sex.
All of these factors lead to a decrease in immunity, both general and local. As a result, the body becomes sensitive to various negative influences and cannot resist the human papillomavirus.
Quite often the virus does not manifest itself, limited by human immunity. This is only true if the person is in perfect health. Then the virus can be 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?
How the infection of a woman's lips manifests itself depends on several factors:
- type of virus;
- the 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 viral strains (16, 18, 31, 32, 45 and other types). It is easy to understand what these papillomas on the lips look like, knowing what condyloma is. They are small papillae with jagged edges that rise 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, causing the development of genital warts, can spread to a woman's perineum, vulva and vagina.
Condylomas always form only on the mucous membranes. Papillomas of the inner lips in women do not appear, they are formed only in areas with a thin epidermis.
Papillomas are small balls on the leg that rise above the skin. They have smooth edges of the correct shape, may be slightly lighter or darker than the rest of the skin. When squeezed, papillomas on the lips do not hurt, under the fingers one feels the homogeneous structure of the growth. 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 from the lips, since the risk of burns or deep damage to the epidermis is 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 papilloma on the labia does not differ from images of growths on other parts of the body, while papillomas or warts in the vagina and vagina are difficult to notice on their own.
The formation of papillomas on the lips during pregnancy is associated with a decrease in immunity. In this case, the timely treatment of the consequences of HPV plays an important role, otherwise there is a risk of infection of the child when passing through the birth canal.
Why are papillomas dangerous?
Sexual contact and the human papillomavirus on the lips in women are directly related. First, in contact with the affected mucosa, there is a risk of transmission of the virus to the sexual partner. Second, with friction during sex, papillomas and warts can be damaged, which is accompanied by pain. There is a risk of infection with the papilloma, as it becomes inflamed and may 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 a risk. Large growths are very dangerous and should 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 papillomavirus, which manifests itself in the excessive division of epithelial cells on 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 because of HPV on the lips, and 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 on the mucous membrane of the lips is a potential danger. The papilloma itself can degenerate into cancer and not just cause cervical oncology. The signs of malignant papilloma are an increase in the size of the growth, pain and itching, discharge with an unpleasant odor of the growth body and darkening of the skin of the affected area. If you notice such symptoms, you should see a doctor as soon as possible - an oncologist, a gynecologist or a dermatovenerologist.
Treatment and removal of papillomas
Treatment of papillomas on the lips 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.
Getting rid of papillomas on the lips should be consistent. First, the activity of the virus is suppressed, then the growth itself is suppressed and, if necessary, immunostimulatory therapy is carried out. To accurately determine the sequence of treatment, a PCR analysis should be performed, which shows the degree of activity and concentration of the virus, and also allows you to determine its strain.
If a woman has 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 for changes in the epithelium.
How to remove papillomas on the lips depends on the exact location. Skin neoplasms are removed in all available ways - from surgery to folk. This is due to the fact that the skin on the labia majora is thick enough, so there are rarely complications after removal. It is fair to say that the formations on the labia majora in most cases are not harmful to health and do not cause cancer.
Removal of genital warts on the mucous membranes is carried out either with the help of laser exposure or by the radio wave method. These two methods are considered the gentler, while they do not clog the vessels that feed the growth, so the risk of bleeding is minimal. When removing neoplasms from the cervix or vagina, histological analysis is necessary to exclude the onset of the pathological process.
You should consult your doctor to find out how to remove papillomas from the lips. If the analysis showed a high concentration of the virus in the body, there is a risk of reformation of genital warts. Therefore, complex therapy is carried out, comprising 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 papillomas re-forming.
- After drug treatment, which lasts on average for several weeks, papillomas are removed according to the method chosen and agreed with the doctor. Laser removal or the radio wave method is recommended.
- Some time after the growths are removed, the analysis should be repeated. If the concentration of the virus is still high, a second drug treatment is prescribed.
Medicines 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 of the skin. If the growths appear on the mucous membranes, taking pills is indicated.
As a rule, after the removal of papillomas and drug treatment, the body heals on its own after a few months or years. In order to avoid reformation of papillomas, a woman should follow the rules of hygiene, maintain her own immunity and avoid unprotected sex.