Papilloma on the cervix: causes and methods of treatment

1. What is cervical papillomatosis
2. Reasons for development
3. Symptoms and diagnosis
4. Treatment methods for papillomas
   1. Drug therapy
   2. Surgical intervention
   3. Folk remedies
5. Postoperative period and prevention

Cervical papillomatosis is a disease manifested as multifocal abnormal proliferation of epithelium on the walls of the cervix. The development of growths is provoked by the human papillomavirus. The disease is dangerous. In the initial stages, HPV does not manifest symptoms other than the formation of growths. Since papillomas on the cervix are hidden from view, a woman may not be aware of the disease for a long time, which leads to many dangerous conditions, including cancer of the reproductive system.

What is cervical papillomatosis?

In the photo there is a papilloma on the cervix

Cervical papillomatosis is a very common disease in gynecological practice. Its main manifestation is numerous growths growing on the epithelium of the cervix.

The disease is considered quite serious, since in almost half of the cases there is a possibility of tumors degenerating into malignant ones. This is due to the fact that the genitals are often affected by HPV strains 16 and 18 - they are the most oncogenic among all varieties of the virus.

Pictured is cervical cancer

The situation is aggravated by the fact that a woman cannot detect growths on her own. With prolonged uncontrolled development of the human papillomavirus on the cervix, inflammation of adjacent organs occurs in the body, which in turn often becomes the cause of rapidly progressing cancer. This is why it is so important for women to regularly visit a gynecologist for a preventive examination, even if nothing is bothering them.

There are three types of papillomas on the cervix:

1. Pointed. They look like small folds. The growths grow into blood vessels and connective tissue and look like cauliflower.
2. Squamous. Similar to a common wart, they often lead to deformation of the uterus.
3. Inverted. As they grow, they penetrate deeply into the tissue and cause organ destruction. When diagnosing this type of human papillomavirus, they talk about the development of a precancerous condition on the cervix.

Causes of development of papillomas on the cervix

Papillomatosis of the cervix, just like any other organ, is not necessarily a consequence of sexual relations with a carrier of the virus. You can become infected with HPV, which causes papillomas on the cervix, in a completely innocent way.

There are the following routes of transmission of HPV:

1. Sexual relations with a carrier of the virus. Moreover, this means not only the sexual act itself, but also other forms of intimacy. The virus is transmitted through saliva, which means that it can be transmitted through the most ordinary kiss.
2. Contact and household path. HPV can be acquired through common objects, as well as when visiting high-risk public places, which primarily include saunas and swimming pools, but infection can also occur in a beauty salon, solarium, etc.
3. Birth canal. The virus can be transmitted to a person at birth if the mother was its carrier. The risk of infection of a newborn is especially high when passing through the birth canal affected by papillomas. HPV has a highly variable incubation period. This means that a virus received from the mother can appear immediately and cause a fatal condition in a newborn, or it may not manifest itself for many years.

Once again, please note: the passive form of the papilloma virus on the cervix is ​​not dangerous; the likelihood of developing dangerous conditions arises only when it is activated, which in turn is provoked by a decrease in the body’s immune forces. Suppression of the immune system can be caused by many reasons, including factors of both a psychological nature (stress, depression) and physiological (poor nutrition, long-term use of antibiotics, etc.).

Symptoms and diagnosis of papillomas on the cervix

Signs of papillomavirus on the cervix, at least in the initial stages, are rarely present. The only symptom is the appearance of growths, but in the case of damage to the internal genital organ, they are hidden from view, which means that for a long period of time the woman may not be aware of the disease at all.

When the disease has progressed far, there may be complaints of:

1. Pain in the groin area;
2. The appearance of atypical (including bloody) vaginal discharge;
3. Enlarged lymph nodes in the groin area;
4. Discomfort in the vagina of various types - itching, burning;
5. Disruptions in the menstrual cycle;
6. Edema of the lower extremities;
7. General deterioration in health and appearance; most often these symptoms manifest themselves in loss of appetite and rapid loss of body weight.

The photo shows papillomas on the cervix 

If a woman is suspected of having human papillomavirus on the cervix, the doctor performs a colcoscopy - this process involves examining the organ through a microscope. A smear is also taken and a cytological analysis is performed, based on the results of which the stage of the disease is determined. The first two are characterized by minor disturbances in the structure of the tissues; in the third, additional individual studies are prescribed; in the fourth and fifth, transformation into a malignant formation is diagnosed.

Methods for treating papillomas on the cervix

The reasons for the development of papillomas on the cervix and treatment do not depend on each other - in other words, regardless of how the infection occurred, the therapy will be the same. However, the strain of the virus and the stage of the disease affect the recommended course of treatment.

Drug therapy for papillomas on the cervix

In the case when the disease is detected at an early stage, a decision is usually made on conservative treatment of the papilloma virus on the cervix through drug therapy.

The drugs prescribed are:

1. Immunity stimulating. The disease cannot be completely cured, but can only be stopped, that is, “driven” into a passive stage by increasing the level of the body’s defenses. That is why positive dynamics can often be achieved only by using immunomodulatory therapy. When the immune system is restored, the virus retreats on its own. Immunity-stimulating drugs are prescribed in the group of interferons - they promote the production of their own interferon and are practically harmless; even pregnant women can take them. The most commonly prescribed drug is Interferon and its analogues - Viferon, Genfaxon, Laferon.
2. Antiviral drugs. Often, treatment of papillomas on the cervix is ​​supplemented with antiviral drugs. This is done when the disease is on the verge of a dangerous stage and it is necessary to act as quickly as possible, in which case one’s own immunity alone is not enough to provide adequate resistance to the virus. Panavir is often prescribed. The drug has no absolute analogues, similar ones are Acyclovir, Amizon.
3. Cytotoxins. Drugs in this group belong to antitumor drugs and are prescribed only in situations where there is a high risk of malignant degeneration of papilloma on the cervix, or in cases where the transformation process has already begun. Drugs in this group are strictly contraindicated during pregnancy and are prescribed only when the risk to the mother outweighs the potential harm to the fetus. The most popular are Podophyllin and its analogues - Kondilin, Vartek.
4. Destructors. These drugs mean drugs for external use for a destructive effect on the growth - in other words, cauterization of papillomas on the cervix is ​​performed in a special way. The method is determined by the chosen agent, but in general the scheme of action is similar: destructor drugs cause the cells of the growth to die, but they do not harm healthy skin, as a result of which the papilloma falls off. Since the cervix is ​​a very sensitive area, not every drug can be used to eliminate papillomas. Solcoderm, trichloroacetic acid and Feresol are usually prescribed. However, if a malignant process occurs, drug removal is replaced by surgical resection.

Surgical intervention for papillomas on the cervix

Currently, there are a large number of alternative methods for removing single and multiple papillomas on the cervix. All of them can be divided into three groups:

1. Chemotherapy. In this case, this term refers to the removal of growths with special solutions that are much stronger than pharmaceutical products. Only a specialized doctor can use such solutions.
2. Cosmetic procedures. This includes many soft and modern methods for removing papillomas. Popular today are laser surgery, cryodestruction, electrocoagulation, and radio wave destruction. All these methods are good because they are practically painless and do not leave scars.
3. Surgery. This implies a classic resection - the papilloma on the cervix is ​​removed with a scalpel. The operation is performed under anesthesia and involves a long rehabilitation period. In this regard, it is significantly inferior to alternative modern methods of getting rid of growths, however, if there is a risk of developing a malignant process, only classical resection is indicated. Otherwise, malignant cells may remain under healthy skin, which will lead to the development of a new tumor.

1. Read also: The danger of removing papillomas during menstruation

Treatment of papillomas on the cervix with folk remedies

Papillomas on the cervix are a serious illness, and therefore treating it lightly and treating it purely with folk remedies is fundamentally wrong. Moreover, if we talk about the most popular home methods for removing tumors, they are usually too aggressive and should not be used on the sensitive area of ​​the cervix.

1. Read the article about the treatment of papillomas in intimate places in pregnant women

However, grandmother's recipes can still have a beneficial effect as an auxiliary therapy. Let's take a closer look at what folk remedies can be used to treat papillomas on the cervix:

1. Herbal infusions. They will provide good assistance in boosting immunity. You can brew any favorite infusion, but herbs such as lemon balm, plantain, dandelion root, horsetail, and nettle will be especially effective. They can be used either individually or in combination. All infusions are prepared according to the classical scheme: 1 tablespoon of the mixture is poured with a glass of boiling water, covered and infused for 10-15 minutes.
2. Juices, vitamin pastes. When treating papillomas on the cervix, freshly squeezed juices also play an important role in stimulating the defenses. Berry juices are especially effective. You can prepare a vitamin paste from dried fruits, nuts and honey in arbitrary proportions, you will get a very tasty and healthy medicine.
3. Essential oils. The sensitive mucous membrane of the cervix is ​​no joke; you should not apply a folk remedy to papillomas without consulting a doctor. In addition, it is often quite problematic and inconvenient. However, if you have the opportunity to treat the growths yourself, it is best to use various oils - for example, castor oil or tea tree ether. But only with the doctor's permission.

Postoperative period and prevention of papillomas on the cervix

It doesn’t matter what kind of operation was performed - cosmetic or surgical, there will be a rehabilitation period after removal of papilloma on the cervix, although its duration will vary.

The minimum recovery time after cosmetic surgery is 7 days, the maximum is 14 days. After surgery, the minimum recovery time is 14 days, the maximum is 30 days. Please note that these data are only valid if there are no complications after removal of papillomas on the cervix.

The following phenomena are normal during rehabilitation:

1. Pain and discomfort when urinating;
2. Unpleasant sensations in the groin area when walking;
3. Burning in the vagina;
4. Minor bleeding;
5. Atypical transparent discharge.

In the same situation, when the discharge turns color or there is pus in it, you must urgently seek medical help.

To reduce the risk of complications on the cervix after surgical treatment of papillomas, it is very important to maintain hygiene and follow the care procedures prescribed by your doctor.

There are certain general rules:

1. Hygiene must be carried out carefully, daily, using a special product, and not ordinary soap. Liquid soap for intimate hygiene can be bought today at any cosmetic store. It is important to rinse the product from front to back - this will prevent infection from entering the anal area. By the way, special attention should also be paid to washing this area during the rehabilitation period.
2. Use your own towel and wash it regularly.
3. Do not use tampons, but if you are used to using them during your period rather than pads, change your tampon at least once every 2 hours.
4. Douching should not be done, as this can disrupt the vaginal microflora and cause additional problems.
5. Treat the surgical area only with products recommended by your doctor; iodine, alcohol solutions, brilliant green, peroxide are usually prohibited; baneocin, chlorhexedine and other mild agents are allowed.

As for prevention, it is important to remember that papilloma on the cervix can return at every “convenient” opportunity. This means that if you want to avoid relapses, it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle - eat right, exercise, periodically take vitamin supplements, get enough sleep, avoid stress.

How to get rid of papillomas on the cervix - watch the video:

Cervical papillomatosis is an insidious disease; it often develops asymptomatically, and the only sign - the proliferation of papillomas - is invisible to the eye. It is all the sadder that it is the growths on the genitals that, as a rule, most often transform into malignant formations. That is why it is so important for a woman to regularly visit a gynecologist and conduct a preventive examination, and take the necessary tests on schedule. In this case, treatment of the papilloma virus on the cervix can be carried out quickly with the help of medications, otherwise it will be necessary to resort to surgery of varying degrees of complexity.

1. Related article: Treatment of papillomas on the labia during pregnancy