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STDs (Expert Forum)
laser surgery
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Warts, Yeast Infection.All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
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laser surgery
by wartsnogood, Nov 06, 2005 12:00AM
hello,
Well I have had HPV for over a year now and at first i had abnormal cells, but i just recently had an outbreak of warts on my outer walls. At first i went to the gyno and she treated the only one i had with medicine that burned, sorry i dont know what it was, then i got an outbreak worse three weeks later. I just recently went back and she scheduled me for laser surgery. I really just want to get rid of them. Is laser surgery just a quick fix? or should i be using something different before i have laser surgery. I do have a pre opp coming up soon and i will ask many questions, but at the time I had no idea what to discuss with the gyno, because i was just upset that i had an outbreak? I don't know if she just sheduled it because I heard they get plenty of money for it and it is not in my best interest or because I really need it? Do you mind filling me in on the pros and cons.
Also is there anything i can use to stop the itching from the warts?
Also if you have warts is it true that there is more discharge and moisture? And do warts have an odor? I don't think they do but just have to ask?
thanks for any information
Well I have had HPV for over a year now and at first i had abnormal cells, but i just recently had an outbreak of warts on my outer walls. At first i went to the gyno and she treated the only one i had with medicine that burned, sorry i dont know what it was, then i got an outbreak worse three weeks later. I just recently went back and she scheduled me for laser surgery. I really just want to get rid of them. Is laser surgery just a quick fix? or should i be using something different before i have laser surgery. I do have a pre opp coming up soon and i will ask many questions, but at the time I had no idea what to discuss with the gyno, because i was just upset that i had an outbreak? I don't know if she just sheduled it because I heard they get plenty of money for it and it is not in my best interest or because I really need it? Do you mind filling me in on the pros and cons.
Also is there anything i can use to stop the itching from the warts?
Also if you have warts is it true that there is more discharge and moisture? And do warts have an odor? I don't think they do but just have to ask?
thanks for any information
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Nov 07, 2005 12:00AM
, Nov 07, 2005 12:00AM
All treatments for genital warts depend on identifying and then destroying the infected lesions and tissues. Laser does it quickly, but neither laser nor any other method can remove HPV from nearby tissues that may look normal but nonetheless are infected. So that means yes, laser surgery is "just a quick fix"--but so is every other treatment for warts. There is no treatment method that eradicates HPV infection itself. Over time, however, your immune system will eradicate the infection.
But my guess is that your provider hasn't chosen an expensive treatment just for her economic gain. She probably is simply most experienced and comfortable with that particular treatment. I'm not sure what you mean by "outer walls". If your warts are in the vagina, laser probably is the best all around choice. For external genital lesions, freezing, podofilox (Condylox), imiquimod (Aldara), trichloroacetic acid, or podophyllin resin all are as effective as laser in the long run, but take longer (and more treatments) than laser. Other surgical methods--electrocautery, surgery itself--are more or less the same as laser in speed, but just as expensive.
Warts themselves do not itch. You might have irritation from the treatment, or something else. Warts also do not cause discharge or odor; those are clues to other vaginal infections.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
But my guess is that your provider hasn't chosen an expensive treatment just for her economic gain. She probably is simply most experienced and comfortable with that particular treatment. I'm not sure what you mean by "outer walls". If your warts are in the vagina, laser probably is the best all around choice. For external genital lesions, freezing, podofilox (Condylox), imiquimod (Aldara), trichloroacetic acid, or podophyllin resin all are as effective as laser in the long run, but take longer (and more treatments) than laser. Other surgical methods--electrocautery, surgery itself--are more or less the same as laser in speed, but just as expensive.
Warts themselves do not itch. You might have irritation from the treatment, or something else. Warts also do not cause discharge or odor; those are clues to other vaginal infections.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
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