Papillomas on the lips are a rather delicate problem that causes self-dissatisfaction and a decrease in the quality of sexual life. They are difficult to hide, they can cause inconvenience during intercourse, so papillomas should be removed. Also, in some cases, growths on the genitals in 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 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 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, due to various inflammatory and infectious diseases of the genital organs, including 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 in women are as follows:
- decreased immunity after ARVI, pneumonia, flu or tonsillitis;
- vaginal infections;
- non-compliance with personal hygiene;
- fatigue;
- 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.
Quite often, the virus does not manifest itself, held back by human immunity. This is only true if the person is completely healthy. So 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 on the genitals look like?
How the infection on 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 strains of the virus (16, 18, 31, 32, 45 and other types). It is easy to understand how such papillomas on the lips look, knowing what condyloma is. These are small papillae with jagged edges that rise above the mucosal surface. They usually do not differ in color or are slightly lighter than the mucous membranes. Manifestations of the papilloma virus 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 mucous membranes. Papillomas on 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, they can be slightly lighter or darker than the rest of the skin. When pressed, the papillomas on the lips do not hurt, the homogeneous structure of growth is felt under the fingers. This type of neoplasm appears in the inguinal folds 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, as such growths are potentially dangerous.
Warts can form in the following areas:
- labia minora;
- vulva;
- vagina;
- Cervix;
- anal opening;
- fork;
- urethra.
The photo of the papilloma on the lips does not differ from the images of growths on other parts of the body, while papillomas or condylomas in 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 baby as it passes through the birth canal.
Why are papillomas dangerous?
Sexual contact and human papillomavirus on the lips in women are directly related. First, in contact with the affected mucosa, there is a risk of transmitting the virus to the sexual partner. Secondly, with friction during intercourse, papillomas and condylomas can be damaged, which are 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 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 is manifested by excessive division of epithelial cells on the labia minora and other parts of the mucosa. 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. Lack of timely treatment of dysplasia leads to the development of cervical cancer.
It should be understood that any papillomas on the mucous membrane of the lips are a potential danger. The papilloma itself can degenerate into cancer and not just cause cervical oncology. Signs of malignant papilloma are an increase in the size of the growth, pain and itching, discharge with an unpleasant odor from the body of the growth and blackening of the skin of the affected area. If you notice such symptoms, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible: an oncologist, a gynecologist or a dermatovenerologist.
Treatment and removal of papillomas
How to treat papillomas on the lips depends on their number and size. It is advisable 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 should be consistent. First, the activity of the virus is suppressed, then the growth itself is removed and, if necessary, immunostimulating therapy is performed. To accurately determine the sequence of treatment, it is necessary to pass a PCR analysis, 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 required. In this case, each removed papilloma is sent for histological analysis and a complete 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 any available way, from surgery to people. This is due to the fact that the skin of the labia majora is thick enough, so there are rarely any 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 the mucous membranes is carried out with the help of laser exposure or by the radio wave method. These two methods are considered the gentlest, while they do not clog the vessels that feed growth, so the risk of bleeding is minimal. When removing neoplasms from 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 of genital warts reformation, then a complex therapy is performed, 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 papilloma reformation.
- After drug therapy, which lasts on average several weeks, the papillomas are removed using the method chosen and agreed with the doctor. Laser removal or radio wave method is recommended.
- Some time after the removal of the growths, the analysis should be repeated. If the virus concentration is still high, a second course of drug therapy is prescribed.
The drugs 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, then taking pills is indicated.
As a rule, after the removal of papillomas and drug therapy, the body heals on its own after a few months or years. To avoid the reformation of papillomas, a woman must follow the rules of hygiene, maintain her immunity and avoid unprotected sexual intercourse.