Human Papilloma Virus (Vaginal Genital Warts)

About 30 types of these viruses are sexually transmitted and cause genital HPV, affecting both men and women. The lesions are known as genital warts, infecting the skin of the vulva (area outside the vagina), cervix, in or around the anus, penis, scrotum (testicles), groin or thighs. 10 of the 30 identified genital HPV types can lead to the development of cervical cancer.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) the highest rate of infected people are between the ages and 18 and 28. By age 50, some 80 percent of women will have been infected with genital HPV infection. HPV is transmitted by having sex with an infected partner. It can be trasmitted by skin-to-skin genital contact or rubbing. Women most at risk are those with a history of multiple sexual partners.

During sexual intercourse the virus enters the body through layers of skin, cervix, or the vagina. Once the layers have been penetrated, the virus attacks the cells and multiplies. Once the virus becomes established in the skin, cervix, or vagina, it may become dormant or multiply to become a genital wart. The wart is contagious but the dormant infection can also be contagious, making it impossible to stop the virus from spreading. The use of a condom may not be full proof against the virus since the virus can be located on the testicles of the male or the vulva of the female. During sex the virus can easily spread, a woman can easily become infected by more than one type of virus. One of the viruses can cause pre-cancerous changes to the cervix for women and men can run the risk of developing anus and prostate cancer.