Genital Warts Test: Proper Genital Warts Diagnosis is the Key to Successful Treatment
Genital warts seem to be the most common sexually transmitted diseases. Due to the lack of proper information, many people become scared on discovering that they have the infection. Proper genetic warts diagnosis is the first step towards treatment and recovery. The rest becomes quite easy. This kind of warts appear as tiny bumps and are grey or flesh-colored. Genital or anal area is most commonly affected. Though these warts may not show any symptoms in the beginning, but may later become visible. This makes it hard to determine their presence or otherwise. It is highly advisable to consult a doctor in case of any doubt about them.
Before commencing with the genital warts diagnosis, the doctor might ask you several questions. These questions will be mostly related to the symptoms that made you think in these terms, you previous medical and sexual history or other related health problems you have experienced. One or more physical genital warts tests may also be done to identify the signs and symptoms. The doctor will thoroughly examine the pelvic region, genital areas and the thighs. The mouth and tongue may also come under inspection.
Pap smear – In women, doctors recommend annual pap smears because it helps determine if there are potential health problems within the female reproductive organs. With a routine pap smear, evidences of the HPV (the virus causing the genital warts) and abnormal cells on the cervix can be found.
Biopsy – In rare cases when lesion appears unusual or the warts recur after proper treatment, a biopsy may be necessary. This process involves obtaining a small tissue sample from the cervix or affected area and examining it under a microscope. Tests results would confirm whether you have genital warts or not.
Special Tests – If the results of the other tests still cannot confirm genital warts, the doctor may test for other conditions, such as pearly penile papules, skin cancer, genital herpes, moles, skin tag, seborrheic keratoses, condyloma lata, bowenoid papulosis and molluscum contagiosum. Diagnosis of genital warts is usually based on the findings of any of these methods, appearance of the warts and health history of the patient.
Learn more about how to get help with Curing HPV Genital Warts.