Genital Warts
Genital warts are thought to be caused by the epidermotropic human papillomavirus (HPV). More than 100 types of double-stranded HPV viruses have been identified but the list is ever increasing. They are common, developing in about 67% of those who have sexual contact with an infected partner. The incubation period is generally regarded to be 3 months.
Sometimes during pregnancy genital warts grow and/or bleed, much to the puzzlement of doctors. Although it is rare, complications may develop if the warts grow and obstruct the birth canal or perineum, making delivery or episiotomy more challenging.
There are few effective treatment options so research is underway to improve treatment of this viral condition. Catechins in green tea have been identified at powerful antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents and antimicrobial treatments. Researchers are looking at the use of a sinecatechin ointment, which contains catechins from green tea.1 Researchers tested the effects of placebo, 10% sinecatechin or 15% sinecatechin containing ointments. One of 3 ointments was applied 3 times daily either until the warts cleared up or 16 weeks lapsed.
A follow up assessment of wart recurrence was conducted after a 12-week period when no wart treatment was used. They observed that around 50% of the cases of genital warts were cured whether using the 10% or 15% sinecatechin ointment, compared to 30% cure rate for the placebo ointment. A recurrence rate of 7% was observed in patients using sinecatechin ointment. They also concluded that the treatments are well-tolerated by patients.
A topical ointment called Polyphenon E (made by MediGene AG, Munich, Germany) has been tested as a treatment for genital warts.2 Two strengths (10% or 15% Polyphenon E) were randomly assigned to study subjects along with a placebo treatment. Results were similar to the study using sinecatechins, with the higher strength ointment providing clearance from warts in 53% of the cases and the lower strength ointment clearing up 51% of the cases. They also noted that effectiveness varied by gender. Women experienced 60% effectiveness and men gained 45% effectiveness. Follow up assessments were made and the recurrence rate was less than 7%.
Candida albicans
Candida albicans is another bothersome condition that can be treated with green tea catechins during pregnancy. It is a fungal species that normally exists in mucous membranes like the mouth, stomach and vagina. Under certain conditions the environment of the mucous membranes can change, or the immune system can become depressed leading to rapid growth of Candida albicans. The end result can be the development of disease or infection, neither of which is desirable.
Until green tea was credited with antimicrobial properties the typical course of treatment was topical application of antifungals from the azole family. These ointments gave limited results because they are not toxic to fungi. Their mode of action is to inhibit enzymes that produce cholesterol but they are not effective enough to prevent recurrences.
EGCG has been found to inhibit folate activity which was found to be effective against Candida albicans by scientists in Spain.3,4 Folate metabolism in Candida albicans was disrupted by EGCG and prevented the fungi from propagating. An additive effect on growth and survival inhibition of Candida albicans was observed when EGCG was administered along with topical azole antifungals. This means that the combined treatment was more effective against the fungi than either treatment alone.
1Sinecatechins, a Defined Green Tea Extract, in the Treatment of External Anogenital Warts (2008). Silvio, T; Swinehart, JW; Thielert, C; Tawfik, H; Mescheder, A and Beutner, KR. Obstetrics & Gynecology 2008. 111:1371-1379.
2Topical Polyphenon E in the treatment of external genital and perianal warts: a randomized controlled trial. Stockfleth E, Beti H, Orasan R, Grigorian F, Mescheder A, Tawfik H, Thielert C. Br J Dermatol. 2008.158(6):1329-38.
3Influence of green and black tea on folic acid pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers: potential risk of diminished folic acid bioavailability. Alemdaroglu, NC; Dietz, U; Wolffram, S; Spahn-Langguth, H and Langguth, P. Biopharm Drug Dispos. 2008. 29(6):335-48.
4Effects of folate cycle disruption by the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate. Navarro-Perán, E; Cabezas-Herrera, J; Campo, LS and Rodríguez-López, JN. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2007. 39(12):2215-25.
