Genital Wart Removal: What to Expect During Healing

Genital warts can be removed using four different methods: freezing them, cutting them off, removing them with special chemicals, or burning them with a laser. Which method is used depends on the location of the warts, how many are present, and sometimes, a choice on the part of the doctor. After removal, patients can expect weeks of healing, new precautions to take, and careful monitoring to make sure complications are avoided.

Time Frame

• While healing may take up to four weeks, patients should be able to resume normal daily activities after one to three days.

Aftercare

• If warts have been cut, stitches are possible. If that's the case, you will have to care for the area, cleaning it several times a day and ensuring that no infection appears.

Precautions

• Sexual intercourse should be stopped until the area heals completely. Depending on how the warts were removed, this can take up to several weeks.

Problems

• You should pay careful attention to the area and tell your doctor if you notice severe pain, a yellowish discharge or a fever. These are all signs that an infection or other complications may be present.

Expert Insight

• Removal of genital warts does not get rid of the human papillomavirus (HPV) that caused them. Women who are infected should get checked frequently to ensure no abnormal cells are growing on the cervix. Men should use condoms to prevent spreading the infection further.