Symptoms and Manifestations of Genital Warts in Women

Genital warts, medically termed as condyloma acuminatum or venereal warts, are a common sexually transmitted disease caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The main symptoms and manifestations in female patients include:

1. Appearance: They are pink or gray-white in color, presenting as papillary, cockscomb-like, or cauliflower-like growths of varying sizes, which may be single or multiple. The lesions initially appear as small, pale red or skin-colored papules that gradually increase in size and number, with some lesions possibly coalescing together.

2. Location: Most commonly found on the vulva, vagina, around the anus, and cervical region; they may also appear near the urethral opening or inside the vagina, as well as in non-genital areas such as the mouth, breasts, and armpits.

3. Discomfort: Symptoms may include vulvar itching, burning pain, increased vaginal discharge accompanied by an unusual odor or bleeding, especially during sexual intercourse or menstruation.

4. Cervical changes: Infections located on the cervix may not exhibit obvious external symptoms, but abnormal cells can be detected through cervical smear tests (Pap smears). If left untreated for a long time, there is an increased risk of developing cervical cancer.

If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately. Additionally, practicing good personal hygiene and using preventive measures such as condoms can help reduce the risk of transmission.