Causes of HPV

Human Papillomavirus Causes

Unfortunately, the human papillomavirus (HPV,) which causes genital warts, is found in an estimated 60% to 80% of all people. While HPV may not present observable symptoms in all that are infected with the virus, the virus can cause significant complications, including cancer. Both men and women are susceptible to HPV and the usual cause is sexual contact, and the typical symptoms include fleshy growths on the genitals. These growths can vary in size, but most resemble a flat, cauliflower type pattern, and can spread to cover the entire genital area.

When it comes to the cause of genital warts, transmission is usually reserved for skin to skin contact of the genitals, but even when using condoms, HPV can still be passed on. While sexual contact of the genitals is the overwhelming cause of HPV transmission, the virus can be passed on through birth. Much like the herpes virus, mothers can pass on HPV to their children during childbirth as they pass through the vaginal canal. Due to females infected with HPV often having unseen warts that can be deep within the vagina, when giving birth, a child may come in direct contact with the infected area. As a result, someone may develop genital warts later in life, even if they have had no sexual contact with another person.

Of course, having unprotected sexual contact is the number one cause of HPV infections around the world. It should be noted that oral sex is unlikely to spread genital warts, but it is possible. As well, the strains of HPV that cause genital warts do not cause genital warts on other parts of the body, so there is no need to worry about genital warts causing warts in other places, or vice versa. In addition, the strains of HPV that cause genital warts, of which there are at least 40, do not generally cause cervical cancers to develop. Instead, the strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer often affect women with no outward symptoms.

People wishing to treat their genital warts have a few options, including creams and other topical treatments that strengthen the immediate immune system, as well as destroy the skin that has been affected by wart growth. However, many people also seek natural genital wart treatments, as many medicinal treatments can cause burning pain and scarring. Natural genital wart treatments are usually more affordable than prescription treatments, and these natural treatments treat the symptoms of HPV without pain, scarring, or drugs while bolstering the healing power of the body's natural immune system.