Genital Warts
Genital warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is a very common virus. Some types of HPV can cause genital warts.
Genital warts are different from the common warts that can appear on your hands or feet.
How are genital warts passed on?
HPV can be passed from one person to another through:
- Vaginal or anal sex
- Genital skin-to-skin contact
- Sexual contact with an infected area, even when there are no visible warts
Condoms can reduce the risk of passing on HPV, but they do not provide complete protection because HPV can affect areas of skin that are not covered by a condom.
What do genital warts look and feel like?
Genital warts can appear as:
- Small pink, skin-coloured or whitish lumps
- Flat or raised areas
- Lumps with a cauliflower-like appearance
They can occur on the:
- Vulva
- Penis
- Scrotum
- Around the anus
- Inside the vagina
- Around or inside the anus
Genital warts are usually painless, although they can sometimes itch or become irritated.
There are many other possible causes of lumps or changes to the skin around the genitals. For example, skin tags and molluscum contagiosum can look similar to genital warts.
If you notice a new lump or change to your genital skin, speak to your GP or a healthcare professional for advice.
Do genital warts go away on their own?
Genital warts often clear without treatment because the body’s immune system can clear the HPV infection.
How long this takes varies from person to person. Some warts clear within weeks, while others can take longer.
Warts can also come back after treatment or after they have cleared.
Do genital warts need treatment?
Small genital warts often do not need treatment and may clear on their own.
Treatment may be helpful if:
- The warts are large.
- They are causing discomfort.
- They are causing distress.
- They are not clearing on their own.
Treatment options can include medicines applied to the warts or treatments such as freezing.
Your GP can examine the area and discuss whether treatment is appropriate for you.
Treatment can take several weeks to work, and larger warts may take longer to clear.
Can I be seen at Chalmers for genital warts?
At present, Chalmers does not routinely see people with genital warts without a referral from their GP.
If you think you have genital warts, the best place to start is your GP. They can examine the area, discuss treatment and arrange a referral to Chalmers if specialist advice is needed.
A referral may be appropriate if your warts have not cleared following treatment from your GP.
My partner has genital warts. What should I do?
If your partner has genital warts but you do not have any symptoms or visible warts, you do not usually need treatment.
There is no treatment that removes HPV from your body. Most HPV infections are cleared naturally by the immune system.
If you notice any new lumps, warts or other changes, speak to your GP or a healthcare professional.
If you are concerned about your sexual health, you can also contact a sexual health service for advice.
My partner has genital warts and I think I have them too. What should I do?
If you think you have genital warts, arrange an appointment with your GP.
Your GP can examine the area and discuss whether treatment is needed.
Treatment is not always necessary. Small warts may clear without treatment, while larger or troublesome warts may benefit from treatment.
Can genital warts cause cancer?
The types of HPV that usually cause genital warts are different from the types of HPV that are most strongly associated with cancer.
Having genital warts does not mean that you have cancer or that you have a higher risk of developing cancer.
Some types of HPV can cause cancers, including cervical, anal, penile, vulval and vaginal cancers. These are usually different HPV types from those that cause genital warts.
You should continue to attend cervical screening when invited. Having genital warts does not mean that you need cervical screening more often than recommended.
Can the HPV vaccine prevent genital warts?
The HPV vaccine protects against several types of HPV, including types that can cause genital warts and types associated with some cancers.
Vaccination can significantly reduce your risk of developing genital warts, but it does not protect against every type of HPV.
If you are eligible for HPV vaccination, speak to your GP, sexual health service or another healthcare professional about whether vaccination is appropriate for you.