Condyloma of the urethra is widespread, which is associated with the unique survivability of the virus in the human body. Modern treatment methods do not allow to completely get rid of it, but it is possible to eliminate a specific manifestation of the infection in the form of condyloma quite effectively.
This pathology can provoke serious complications, and therefore the process must be controlled, and treatment should be carried out in a timely and adequate manner.
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What are condylomas in the urethra
In the general case, condyloma is a warty-type growth generated by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Its urethral variety or genital wart has the form of a reddish, gray or light pink growth on the walls of the urogenital canal. This is the most characteristic localization of pathology, both for men and women.
In fact, such a wart is a zone of deformation of the outer cover as a result of the growth of the deep layers of the epidermis affected by the virus and the thickening of the skin in the process of its keratinization. Uneven growth and causes the appearance of characteristic growths.
The virus that entered the body after contact with an infected person penetrates the epithelial cells of the basal skin layer, changing their structure. The transformed cells move to the outer layers, where they affect healthy tissues.
The uniqueness of HPV should be emphasized. Once it enters the human body, it remains in it forever, and it is impossible to remove it completely by modern means. However, a normally functioning immune system easily copes with the virus on its own, driving it into a latent state. Its activation occurs when immunity deteriorates and favorable conditions appear.
Types of neoplasms
Urethral warts vary in shape, size, color and structure. At the initial stage, single warts usually germinate, and as the pathology progresses, they become multiple, spreading throughout the genitourinary canal.
There are such main types of genital warts that can be localized in the urethra:
- Flat variety. It is quite rare, but carries a high risk of complications. The flat shape causes growth over the area with minimal elevation. Being under the outer layer of the skin, such formations go unnoticed for a long time. The main danger is the likelihood of malignancy.
- Pointed type. Its specific shape implies the presence of a leg. Condyloma has a small base area, and growth is vertical, and it can occur very quickly. So, under the influence of provoking factors, the wart can rise by 5-6 mm in just 2-3 hours. With the multiple nature of the formations, the pathology causes noticeable problems and pain during urination. The danger is caused by a high probability of mechanical damage and torsion of a thin, high leg, which leads to bleeding. These growths can fall off on their own, but they cannot be torn off.
Causes
HPV infection most often occurs through sexual contact with an infected person. At the same time, a woman suffers much more often, which is associated with a higher risk of mechanical damage to the female genital organs during sex.
The probability of infection is also quite high by the contact-household method – when wearing someone else’s underwear, in baths and saunas, pools, toilets, etc. If there are scratches and other damage to the skin and mucous membrane, the risk of infection increases significantly.
The penetration of HPV into the body is not enough for the growth of warts. Favorable conditions should appear, namely, immune protection (general or local) will significantly worsen. This is due to various inflammatory processes, chronic and infectious diseases (especially the genitourinary system), hormonal imbalance, excessive psychological and physical stress, poor nutrition, poor lifestyle and bad habits.
Depending on gender, the following prevailing factors are distinguished:
- In men – chronic physical overwork, beriberi, hypothermia of a local nature, smoking and excessive alcohol addiction, frequent colds, non-traditional sexual orientation.
- In women – emotional overload, rash diets for weight loss, childbirth (especially of a complex type), abortion, improper contraception, self-treatment of genitourinary problems, promiscuity with frequent changes of partners.
Clinical picture
Symptoms of urethral warts depend on the gender of the person, the type of education and the characteristics of the body. For a long time, the course of the disease can occur, generally without pronounced manifestations.
Explicit symptoms appear with the multiple nature of growths and an increase in their size. Among the general signs characteristic of both sexes, there is a general intoxication of the body (weakness, lethargy, drowsiness), problems with urination and sex (soreness, discomfort).
In the development of formations, the following patterns are noted:
- constancy or increase in the size of warts;
- the merger of formations located in close proximity to each other;
- the possibility of ulceration and bleeding of growths;
- an increase in the frequency of inflammatory reactions in the genitourinary system.
Given the anatomical features, the symptoms of urethral warts have specific features in men and women.
Characteristic signs in men
Condyloma in the urethra in men is often accompanied by its growth in the genitals and in the anus. Often there is a reverse process, when the pathology passes into the urethral canal from these areas. The presence of formations can be suspected by the following manifestations:
- violation of urination – increased urge, feeling of incomplete release of the bladder after the completion of the process, painful urination;
- pain and burning during defecation;
- bloody discharge from the urethral opening;
- excessive spraying of the urinary stream;
- pain during sex.
Most often, warts do not have such obvious symptoms. A man feels discomfort in the penis, lower abdomen, perineum and anus.
Symptoms in women
Urethral condyloma occurs more frequently in women than in men. It can develop towards the vaginal walls, labia, anus, and thighs. The most characteristic manifestation of pathology during urination, sexual intercourse and during menstruation is burning, itching, discomfort, pain. During sexual intercourse, there is a high probability of damage to the pointed growths, which causes bleeding. Pain may be felt in the lower abdomen.
During pregnancy
During pregnancy, hormonal balance is disturbed and immunity is reduced, which affects the activation of HPV. During this period, the likelihood of the formation of urethral warts increases markedly. Previously born small formations begin to grow, acquire a multiple character.
The danger is fraught with the development of formations in the birth canal. In this case, there is a difficulty for the passage of the fetus. In addition, the risk of HPV infection in the newborn is high. Since radical methods of treatment during pregnancy are used only in exceptional cases, it is necessary to resort to a caesarean section during childbirth.
Complications
Despite the fact that condylomas are benign formations, the risk of serious complications with advanced pathology is quite high. The most typical problems are:
- Inflammatory reactions of various types , which is explained by the appearance of a favorable environment for the vital activity of pathogenic microorganisms, especially with frequent bleeding of growths.
- Condylomatosis . This disease is associated with the active growth of genital warts, as a result of which the functions of the urethra are impaired. Often, the growth of formations is observed deep into the body.
- Complication of childbirth in a woman and a high risk of infection of the child.
- Provoking diseases of the genitourinary system . The development of bacterial urethritis is quite characteristic. In women, an effect on the appearance of cervical erosion is found.
- Transformation of genital warts into a malignant neoplasm . The risk of such a process is estimated at 9-12 percent, depending on the HPV strain.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of warts in the urethra is carried out by collecting an anamnesis, examination and using instrumental methods. The following diagnostic methods are used:
- Inspection of the urogenital canal . It is carried out visually and with the help of a colposcope. The formations of the pointed type are easily distinguishable. To identify flat growths, dilute acetic acid is applied to them. The whiteness of the growth after treatment indicates condyloma. A colposcope allows you to more accurately examine the structure.
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). This technique is aimed at identifying the HPV strain, which makes it possible to assess the risk of malignancy of the formation.
- Biopsy – sampling of the affected tissues of the urethral mucosa. Microscopy allows to determine the oncological transformation
- cytological research . Mucosal scrapings are used as samples. The presence of precancerous signs is assessed.
- Histological studies . On a tissue section, the cellular structure is studied.
Conducting the entire complex of diagnostic studies allows you to accurately determine the type of HPV, differentiate the type of pathology, and assess the risk of possible complications. Only after an accurate diagnosis is made, a treatment plan is developed.
Methods of treatment
Treatment of condyloma is carried out by conservative and surgical methods. The therapy is aimed at suppressing HPV activity and putting it into a latent state, increasing immune defenses, strengthening the body, eliminating symptoms, restoring damaged tissues and functions of the urethra. Operational methods allow you to remove education.
Basic therapy is carried out by prescribing antiviral drugs such as Panavir and Ingaron. To increase immune security, immunostimulants are taken – Immunal, products based on ginseng and echinacea.
Positive results are obtained by local therapy using ointments and creams – Panavir, Aldar, Epigen-Intim aerosols , Genferon suppositories. It should be noted that the use of oxolinic ointment, iodine-based products and celandine do not give the desired effect, especially with self-medication.
Removal of genital warts in the urethra can be provided in several ways:
- laser impact . This is a modern technology in which the formation is destroyed using a laser beam. Such an operation can only be performed by a specialized clinic with the appropriate equipment.
- Electrocoagulation . This method is based on cauterization of the growth with an electric current. The procedure is accompanied by pain, and therefore is performed under local anesthesia.
- cryogenic destruction . The destruction of warts is provided by rapid and deep freezing when applying liquid nitrogen. In this way, only small formations can be removed. After the procedure, it takes about 20 days for a full recovery.
- Chemical destruction . For cauterization of genital warts, preparations based on acids or alkali are used. This procedure is carried out under vigilant control and using a special device for dosed and accurate supply of the substance.
After surgical treatment, it is necessary to provide a recovery period, the duration of which depends on the technology used. At this time, a sparing regimen is provided, with the exception of physical exertion and sex. At the same time, rehabilitation therapy is carried out.
Disease prevention
The disease is much easier to prevent than to treat. To avoid the appearance of urethral warts allow preventive measures. First of all, it is necessary to minimize the risk of infection, and this is due to the regulation of sexual life.
An important condition is the maintenance of immunity. This requires proper, fortified nutrition, rejection of bad habits, activation of lifestyle and a combination of activity with good rest. All diseases of the genitourinary system must be treated promptly and in full.
Urethral condylomas are dangerous for their complications. In order to avoid serious problems, pathology must be detected in a timely manner and treated with effective methods. Warts may not manifest themselves for a long time, which makes it difficult to diagnose, but when the first signs of the disease appear, you should consult a doctor.
