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Genital Warts

Genital warts are a type of sexually transmitted infection (STI) that causes warts (small bumps or growths) to form in and around your genitals and rectum. Certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) cause genital warts. While there’s no cure for HPV itself, you can receive treatment for genital warts. You can give genital warts to other people through vaginal, anal or oral sex.

Where can you get genital warts?

Genital warts can infect your:

  • Groin area
  • Anus
  • Rectum
  • Penis and scrotum
  • Vagina (including inside of your vagina), vulva, vaginal lips (labia minora and labia majora) and cervix.
  • Lips, mouth, tongue or throat.

Genital warts affect all genders. It’s most common in teenagers and young adults. People assigned male at birth (AMAB) are slightly more at risk. Your chances of getting genital warts increase if you:

  • Don’t use condoms or dental dams while having sex.
  • Have multiple sexual partners.

Genital warts and the virus that causes them (HPV) are both contagious. There isn’t a cure for HPV. Once you have the virus, you’re always infectious (you can always spread it to others). Even if you don’t have symptoms like visible genital warts, or you have the warts removed, you can still infect another person with HPV and genital warts.

Symptoms and Causes

  • Intercourse, including anal, vaginal-penile and vaginal-vaginal.
  • Genital touching (skin-to-skin contact without ejaculation).
  • Giving oral sex to someone who has HPV or genital warts.
  • Receiving oral sex from someone who has HPV or who has genital warts on their mouth, lips or tongue.

What are the symptoms of genital warts?

Warts look like rough, skin-coloured or whitish-grey growths on your skin. Genital warts often have a bumpy cauliflower look, but some are flat. Genital warts aren’t usually painful. Occasionally, they cause:

  • Mild bleeding.
  • Burning sensation.
  • Discomfort.
  • Genital itching or irritation.

Diagnosis and Tests

Your healthcare provider can diagnose external genital warts by looking at them and may request a biopsy to confirm. Internal warts are more challenging to diagnose.

Providers use the following tests to diagnose genital warts:

  • Pelvic exam: You may get a Pap test as part of a pelvic exam to check for cervical changes caused by genital warts. Your provider may also perform a colposcopy to examine and biopsy your vagina and cervix.
  • Anal exam: Your provider uses a device called an anoscope to look inside your anus for warts.

Management and Treatment

Genital warts may go away on their own because your immune system can fight off the infection that causes it. However, they may get larger, multiply or become increasingly uncomfortable. Removing genital warts reduces your chances of spreading the infection since an active outbreak spread more easily. Remember, treatment for genital warts isn’t a cure.

How long do genital warts last?

Genital warts and HPV is lifelong. That means even with treatment to remove them, the warts may come back. Everyone responds differently to treatment to remove warts. If you have genital warts, talk to your healthcare provider about what removal option works best for you.

Is there a vaccine for genital warts?

The HPV vaccine can protect against certain types of HPV, including the ones that cause genital warts and certain cancers. There are more than 100 different types of HPV. Even if you already have the type of HPV that causes genital warts, the vaccine could still protect you from other more serious strains.

What can I expect if I have genital warts?

Genital warts and HPV are common STIs. These types of warts, and the HPV types that cause them, don’t increase your risk for getting cancer. Some people have genital warts just once, while others have recurring outbreaks. Treatment can get rid of the warts, but it can’t cure them or HPV. You’ll always be infectious and need to practice safe sex with your partners.

Conclusion

Thousands of people get genital warts every year, and thousands more have the virus that causes them. Genital warts may not appear until months, sometimes years after infection. Once you know you have genital warts and HPV, you should share this information with your sexual partners. Your healthcare provider can offer suggestions for preventing the spread of this sexually transmitted infection (STI). You can also take steps to lower your risk of getting other STIs.

 

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