Genital Warts (HPV Virus)

Genital warts are small fleshy growths, bumps or skin changes that appear on or around your genital or anal area. They’re caused by some types of human papilloma virus (HPV) and are the second most common STI in England after chlamydia.

Genital warts are small fleshy growths, bumps or skin changes that appear on or around the genital or anal area.

How do you get Genital Warts?

Genital warts can be spread during vaginal or anal sex, and by sharing sex toys. But you don’t need to have penetrative sex to pass the infection on because HPV is spread by skin-to-skin contact.

It can take months, or even years, for warts to develop after infection with HPV. So if you’re in a relationship and you get genital warts, it does not necessarily mean your partner has been having sex with other people.

HPV is most likely to be transmitted to others when warts are present, although it is still possible to pass the virus on before the warts have developed and after they have disappeared.
HPV is not passed on through kissing, hugging or sharing everyday items such as cutlery or a toilet seat.

A condom can help protect against genital warts. However, as it does not cover all of the genital area, it may still be possible to pass HPV on to uncovered areas of skin.

In rare cases, a mother can pass HPV on to her newborn baby during birth.

In very rare cases, someone with HPV warts on their hands could pass on an infection by touching somebody else’s genitals.

Symptoms

Most people who have an HPV infection will not develop any visible warts. If genital warts do appear, it can be several weeks, months or even years after you first came into contact with the virus.

The warts may appear as small, fleshy growths, bumps or skin changes anywhere on the genitals or around the anus. In some cases, the warts are so small they are difficult to notice.

A person can have a single wart or clusters of multiple warts that grow together to form a kind of “cauliflower” appearance. Warts are usually painless, although on some people they can become itchy and inflamed. If a wart becomes inflamed, it may lead to bleeding from the urethra, vagina or anus. The urethra is the tube connected to the bladder, which urine passes through. Warts that develop near or inside the urethra can also disrupt the normal flow of urine.

The most common places for genital warts to develop in women are:

around the vulva (the opening of the vagina)
on the cervix (the neck of the womb)
inside the vagina
around or inside the anus
on the upper thighs

The most common places for genital warts to develop in men are:

anywhere on the penis
on the scrotum
inside the urethra (tube where urine comes out)
around or inside the anus
on the upper thighs

Testing

There is no test for Genital warts and it can usually be easily diagnosed with a simple examination. At a check-up, the doctor or nurse will examine the warts. They may use a magnifying lens to do this. You may also be advised to have other areas of your genital skin examined – for example, inside the vagina or around your anus.

Treatment

Treatment for genital warts depends on the type of warts you have and where they are located. Book into one of our clinics and you will be advised what the best treatment plan is for you.

There are two main types of treatment for genital warts:

applying a cream, lotion or chemical to the warts
destroying the tissue of the warts by freezing, heating or removing them

Most topical treatments tend to work better on softer warts, and physical ablation tends to work better on harder and rougher-feeling warts. Sometimes, a combination of topical treatments is recommended.

For most people, treatment can take several months to remove the warts, so it is important to persevere.

You may be advised to avoid perfumed soap, bath bubbles or lotions while you are having treatment for warts as these can sometimes irritate the skin.

It is recommended you do not have sex, including anal and oral sex, until your genital warts have fully healed. This will help prevent you passing the infection on to others. It will also help your recovery, as the skin friction that occurs during sex can cause treated skin to become irritated and inflamed.

Even after the warts have gone, there may still be traces of human papilloma virus (HPV) in your skin cells. It is therefore recommended you use a condom during sex for the first three months after the warts have cleared up.

Learn more about genital warts by downloading this leaflet.