Genital wart creams are creams used primarily for the treatment of genital warts, a sexually transmitted disease caused by HPV (human papillomavirus). The three most popular types of genital wart creams are Podofilox, Condylox, and Aldara cream. All three of these creams work in different ways to treat genital warts. Some may be used at home, while a few others might have to be applied by a doctor in a doctor's office. Creams are not always needed for the treatment of genital warts because they occasionally clear up on their own, but a person should see his doctor just to be on the safe side before deciding not to treat his warts.
Podofilox cream is one of the most effective genital wart creams available. It works by stopping the growth of cells that cause genital warts. Most people who use Podofilox cream do not have problems with their warts recurring soon after using the medication is applied, although it is always possible. This cream is available in lotion, gel, or resin form and is typically only available by prescription. In most cases, a person can have the prescription filled and apply the cream in the privacy of her own home without the need for medical assistance.
Condylox cream is similar to Podofilox cream and can stop genital warts by destroying their tissue. The primary difference between Condylox and Podofilox cream is that Condylox must be applied by a medical professional at a doctor's office, while Podofilox can be applied at home by the affected person. A person who uses either Condylox or Podofilox should be cautious when engaging in sexual intercourse because these medications greatly lessen the effectiveness of certain types of birth control, including condoms and diaphragms.
Aldara is another of the most commonly used genital wart creams. It is available by prescription and can effectively boost a person's immune system. The immune system boost can help to clear up genital warts in most people. Just as with Podofilox and Condylox, Aldara can weaken condoms and diaphragms, so a person who is sexually active should be careful while using it.
People who have genital warts should remember that, even if the warts go away, they still most likely carry the HPV virus that causes the formation of the warts. Genital wart creams do not get rid of HPV. This means that it is still possible for a person to give genital warts to another person whether he has an outbreak of warts or not. In order to prevent the spread of genital warts, a person with HPV should always use condoms.