Condyloma is also known as genital warts. Whereas Chlamydia is the most reported STD, Condyloma is the most common STD. This is due to the fact that most HPV infections which are related to Condyloma do not cause symptoms. This is most common for those under 25. Condyloma is the most common lesion of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus), but many HPV types do not cause condyloma. There are over 100 types of HPV and 15 of these types are high risk for cervical cancer. The most important hiph risk HPV types are HPV-16, -18, -31, -33, -35, -39, -51, -52, -58, and 61.
One third to one half of women who have condyloma also have high risk HPV types. External genital warts are more common in women than men. It is estimated that there are 1 million new cases of external genital warts every year and two thirds of these occur in women. The incidence of HPV is increasing. Over the past few decades the incidence has increased and there was a four-fold rise in reported cases during the sixties, seventies and eighties. HPV is sexually transmitted and most lesions appear within two months after exposure. Smoking is a risk factor, due to both behavioral and immune response factors.
There are numerous treatment options that help eliminate the warts, but there are no treatments that directly target the virus. It is important to screen for other STDs when HPV is detected. There is no evidence that the partner is at increased risk for being reinfected by HPV after being exposed or treated. There are situations in which the external genital warts clear up without being treated.
It is important to use safe treatment options especially during pregnancy since there are cases of warts that form in the throat of the baby due to exposure during labor and delivery. Some of these warts require several treatments.