Genital Warts

What are genital warts?

Genital warts are bumps or growths that can form in and around the vagina, penis and anus.^2,4,6 They are caused by certain strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV), namely types 6 and 11.^2,4–6 These strains of HPV do not cause cancer.⁶

You can treat genital warts.⁶ However, there is no cure for HPV.⁶

Genital warts symptoms

You may not know you have HPV for a few weeks or months after becoming infected, or at all, as the virus doesn’t always result in HPV genital warts.^2,3,4

However, if you do have HPV, you can develop:^2,4,6

• Genital warts in and around the vagina (genital warts in females)
• Genital warts on the penis and scrotum (genital warts in males)
• Genital warts around the anus
• Genital warts on the skin between the genitals and anus (perineum)
• Genital warts on the rectum

Genital warts do not usually cause any other symptoms.^2,4 However, they are sometimes:^2,4

• Painful
• Itchy
• Prone to bleeding

HPV can also cause:^2,4,7

• Pain or discomfort during sex
• Problems with peeing (blood or pain)
• Itching or discomfort in your genital area
• Bleeding when you have sex

What do genital warts look like?

Genital warts can feel soft or firm.^2,4 First stage genital warts are small.^2,4 They can be white, red, the same colour as your skin or darker than your skin.⁴ They can also appear on their own or in a group (which can make them easier to identify, as they look like a cauliflower).^2,4

How are genital warts passed on?

HPV and genital warts are extremely contagious.⁶ This means you can pass them on through^:2,4,6,8

• Skin-to-skin contact, such as touching an infected area and then touching another area of your body
• Vaginal and anal sex
• Sharing sex toys
• Oral sex, though this is rare
• Giving birth, though this is rare (the HPV virus can cause an infection in the baby’s throat or genitals)

Importantly, you do not need to have penetrative sex to be infected with HPV.⁸ However, you cannot get genital warts from kissing or from sharing things like towels, cutlery, cups or toilet seats.⁴

How are genital warts diagnosed

Genital warts can be diagnosed just by looking at them.⁹ Although, your GP may order a biopsy (for a sample to be examined under a microscope) if the warts aren’t typical (e.g. if they’re bleeding or ulcerated) to confirm their diagnosis.⁹

Your GP will examine your genital area to assess the extent of your genital warts and may also conduct a vaginal examination, using a speculum, if they suspect you have internal warts.⁹ 

Additionally, they will ask you some questions about your sexual history (e.g. sexual partners, use of contraception) and symptoms (e.g. discharge, bleeding).⁹

Cervical screening

The HPV virus can be identified through the presence of genital warts but, if you never develop genital warts, HPV can be identified through cervical screening (a smear test).⁸ During cervical screening, a small sample of cells is taken from the cervix and tested for HPV.⁸

Cervical screening is offered to anyone with a cervix between the ages of 25 and 64 to identify whether they are at risk of developing cervical cancer.⁹

How to get rid of genital warts

If you’re wondering “do genital warts go away?” The answer is yes. You don’t always need to treat genital warts; sometimes, they disappear on their own within six months.^2,4 Alternatively, if you get genital warts during pregnancy, they usually disappear within six weeks after giving birth.²

A doctor will be able to recommend the best treatment for you based on what your genital warts look like and where they are.^2,4

Treatment options include:^2,4,6

• Cream, liquid or ointment – you can usually apply cream for HPV genital warts to the warts yourself, a few times a week for several weeks. However, if the area is large, a doctor or nurse may need to apply genital wart cream. These treatments work by causing blisters to form under the warts and preventing blood from reaching the area. They can cause pain, irritation or a burning sensation and are typically not recommended for use during pregnancy
• Freezing (cryotherapy) – a doctor or nurse freezes the warts using liquid nitrogen. This treatment usually needs to be repeated once a week for four weeks. It can be painful and is often not successful during pregnancy
• Surgery – a doctor or nurse cuts or burns the warts off using heat or a laser. The area is usually numbed with local anaesthetic, so you don’t feel any pain during the procedure. Surgery is usually only recommended if the warts are not responding to other treatments or are too large for topical treatments or cryotherapy. Surgery can cause pain or irritation around the area and scarring

Genital wart treatment can take weeks or months to work.⁴ Sometimes, the treatment does not work and the warts can come back.⁴

How to prevent getting genital warts

To reduce your risk of getting genital warts, you should:

• Practice safe sex (use a condom for vaginal, anal, and oral sex, and when sharing sex toys)
• Avoid having sex while you’re having treatment for genital warts
• Avoid sharing sex toys (if you do share them, wash them or cover them with a new condom before someone else uses them)

You can get genital warts despite using condoms, as they do not cover the whole genital area. This means you should get tested for HPV regularly, even if you practice safe sex.

HPV vaccination

Getting the HPV vaccine is a great way to reduce your risk of contracting HPV. Although, it doesn’t treat warts once you have them.

Adolescents aged 12 to 13 years are offered the HPV vaccine as part of the NHS vaccination programme. Men who have sex with men and transgender people can also get the HPV vaccine from a sexual health clinic.  

Sources

1. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/warts-anogenital/background-information/prevalence/
2. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/sexual-and-reproductive/genital-warts/
3. https://shswl.nhs.uk/stis/genital-warts
4. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/genital-warts/
5. https://www.sexualhealthwirral.nhs.uk/stis/genital-warts/
6. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4209-genital-warts
7. https://www.devonsexualhealth.nhs.uk/stis/genital-warts/
8. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/human-papilloma-virus-hpv/
9. https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/warts-anogenital/diagnosis/assessment/
10. https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/cervical-screening/what-is-cervical-screening/