About 4 months ago, I was diagnosed with Genital Warts, there were only 2 little "groups". My gynecologist prescribed Aldara, and within a week and a half the wards were gone. I was very happy. About two weeks later after I stopped the treatment, I had intercourse and I experience a lot of pain and sensitivity, to the point of pealing. Ever since I stopped the treatment, I'm very sensitive in that area and I cannot have sex every day because the area is extremely irritated. The warts were originally located around the vagina orifice, that's where the Aldara cream was placed during treatment, which I followed religiously. Is this a side effect of the cream? how longer will I experience this? Thank You

Aldara is a cream which is quite effective against genital warts. Depending upon the location of the warts, patients apply the Aldara to either the genital or anal area. Typically it is applied three times per week. I recommend to my patients that they apply a little bit at night, and that they wash it off in the morning.

Aldara cream can indeed be irritating. For some patients, just backing off the Aldara from three times a week to twice a week is all it takes to get the redness from growing away. If there is severe irritation, then it does pay to come off the Aldara until the redness resolves.

So to answer your two specific questions:

Is this a side effect of the cream? Answer: YES

How long will this last? Answer: Over a period of days to weeks, the situation should get better.