Genital warts are quite a common issue, but there are many ways to treat and prevent them. There is no cure for HPV, but in many cases the body clears the virus naturally within a couple of years. Until your immune system clears the virus, you may still be able to pass it on, even if the visible warts have been treated. It is very important to practice safe sex and use barriers such as condoms. This blog discusses how you can manage and prevent genital warts.
Genital warts, a sexually transmitted infection (STI), come from the human papillomavirus (HPV). Genital warts are small growths or bumps that are known to form in and around the genital and rectal areas caused by certain HPV strains. There is no cure for HPV, but genital warts can be treated. Genital warts can be passed through vaginal, anal or oral sex.
Genital warts can be found on and around the genital areas which includes the:
Genital warts can occur in anyone. However, they are most common in teenagers and young adults. Your risk of genital warts increases if you:
Yes, both genital warts and the human papillomavirus (HPV) causing them are contagious. There is no cure for HPV itself. Even if warts are removed, the virus can remain in your system for some time, and you may still pass it on until your body clears the infection. Even if you do not experience symptoms such as visible genital warts, or if you get rid of the warts once, you can still transmit HPV and genital warts to another person.
Genital warts are caused by certain types of HPV. Genital warts are sexually transmitted through skin-to-skin contact while having sex. A different strain of HPV causes the warts which occur on other parts of your body. But you cannot get genital warts just by touching another person or yourself with a wart on your hands or feet.
Genital warts are spread by:
It is also possible to have the type of HPV causing genital warts and never develop any genital warts! Therefore, you could unknowingly pass HPV to your partner, and then they could develop genital warts. This is also why it is complicated to determine which partner gave you genital warts.
Genital warts are small, rough lumps occurring around the penis, vagina or anus. Genital warts can be described as looking like cauliflower. They can be colourless, red or brown. Genital warts can occur alone or in groups of warts. They usually do not come with other symptoms; although they can be itchy, uncomfortable, and can bleed occasionally.
Some people get genital warts in as little as weeks after having sexual contact with an individual with the HPV. Generally, though, it can take months or even years for warts to appear. This is why it can be challenging to figure out specifically when you contracted genital warts.
It is also possible to have the virus without getting genital warts. You would not know if you have warts in your vagina or anus. If you have no symptoms, ultimately you may unknowingly pass along the virus to other people.
Your healthcare provider may diagnose external genital warts by just looking at them, and may do a biopsy to confirm that it is warts. However, internal warts are harder to diagnose.
Some tests that providers use to diagnose genital warts include:
Reach out to a health care provider if you suspect you may have a genital wart. Other sexually transmitted infections (along with things like skin tags or moles) can look like genital warts. The only way to know for sure is getting an accurate diagnosis so you can get the right treatment.
No, there is no cure for genital warts. This is because genital warts are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and the HPV infection does not have a cure. There are treatments that remove the visible warts and ease symptoms; however, the treatment does not get rid of the virus permanently. So, even if the genital warts are gone, they can return, if the immune system does not clear the HPV infection itself.
Genital warts can go away on their own because your immune system may effectively fight and clear the cause of the infection. However, genital warts can increase in size, multiply, and/or cause more undue discomfort. Removing visible warts can reduce the likelihood of transmission, since the virus is more easily spread when warts are present. But please keep in mind that treating your genital warts is not a cure.
There are many methods to remove genital warts. You might require various treatments to get rid of your genital warts. The goal of treatment is to remove the warts. When you are undergoing treatment, it is recommended that you refrain from engaging in sexual contact.
Your provider may use one of these options to treat genital warts:
Removing genital warts does not eliminate HPV. You can still spread HPV even if you do not have an outbreak and even if your warts were treated.
Genital warts may recur, as HPV can persist in the body for months or years. In many people, the immune system clears the virus within 1–2 years. This means that even if you have a treatment to get rid of them, they may reappear.
Everyone’s body reacts differently to treatment for the removal of warts. If you have genital warts, make sure to discuss which removal option is best for you with your healthcare provider.
Genital warts themselves usually don’t cause serious health problems. They are caused by low-risk HPV types (mainly 6 and 11).
If you get an active outbreak of genital warts in pregnancy, some rare complications might occur:
If you have previously experienced genital warts and do not have a current outbreak while pregnant, you likely will not have any issues.
The HPV vaccine can safeguard you from specific types of HPV, including those causing genital warts and certain cancers. There are over 100 different types of the human papillomavirus. Even if you carry the type of HPV causing genital warts, the vaccine may protect you from other types of HPV that cause more serious disease.
Two federal agencies, CDC and FDA, recently updated their recommendation to allow individuals up to 45 years of age to get vaccinated against HPV for its protection. HPV is the most common STI and can cause genital warts and some cancers. However, it is best to consult your doctor about your eligibility for the HPV vaccine.
If you are sexually active, follow these steps to protect yourself from becoming infected with HPV, developing genital warts and contracting other STIs:
You should visit your healthcare provider if you notice:
Tens of thousands of people get genital warts each year, and tens of thousands more are infected with the virus that causes genital warts. Genital warts can take months – and in some cases, years – to develop. Once you know you have developed HPV and genital warts, you should inform your sexual partners about the infection. A healthcare specialist at STI Clinic can give you some tips for avoiding the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You can also take steps to reduce your chances of contracting other STIs.
There are several things you can do to prevent genital warts from spreading to your partner:
If your partner is infected with genital warts, there are risks of transmission through sexual contact. Use of condoms does lower the risk but does not completely eliminate it. You may also want to discuss the possibility of vaccination against HPV with your healthcare provider.
Genital herpes (herpes simplex type 2) are a type of sexually transmitted infection, similar to genital warts. But the herpes infection produces sores and blisters filled with fluid to develop on your genitals. Warts, on the other hand, are small bumps, typically without open sores. However, both are transmitted during vaginal or anal sex.
Yes, most cases of genital warts are caused by HPV, a virus that is typically spread by sexual contact.
Yes, most individuals who have an HPV infection do not even know they are infected because they do not develop signs or symptoms. Some individuals experience genital warts and only then realise they have the infection, while others transmit the infection to others even if they have never had visible symptoms themselves.
Genital warts are caused by HPV, but the strains that cause genital warts (6 and 11) do not typically cause facial warts. Other HPV types (such as 1, 2, 4, 27 and 29) are responsible for common warts on the face and skin. All warts are caused by the HPV and there are over 100 types of the virus, but only a couple of those HPV strains cause warts. For genital warts, these are typically HPV types 6 and 11. For facial warts, these are typically from HPV types 1, 2, 4, 27 and 29.
Yes, it is possible to develop warts on your hands, arms and legs, but these are usually common warts. Genital warts will be rare in the case of having warts on the hands.
Warts are not the only thing that can produce bumps in the genital area, other sexually transmitted diseases, for instance, genital herpes may have similar symptoms.
You may also have an uncommon, non-infectious condition in the form of a tag or cyst. The only way you can understand which condition is responsible for your symptoms is to talk to a doctor – the sooner you know if they are genital warts, the better it is for your wellbeing.
Genital warts can look a lot like genital skin tags and vice versa because of their similar appearance. Skin tags are typically hanging protrusions of skin that are flesh-coloured, and not involved in itching or irritation as genital warts can be.
Genital warts tend to show up in or around your genital area while skin tags generally develop in areas of folding skin, such as around your groin, neck or eyelids.
Yes, there is no cure for HPV virus – the cause of genital warts. Therefore, you can get genital warts over and over again.
The HPV types that cause genital warts (mainly types 6 and 11) are considered low-risk and do not lead to cancer. However, other high-risk HPV types are linked with cancers such as cervical or anal cancer.
Both HPV and genital warts are common STIs. These warts, and the HPV types that cause genital warts, do not increase your risk for cancer. Some people experience genital warts only once, while others experience ongoing outbreaks. Treatment is available to remove the warts, but it does not cure them or the HPV. You may remain infectious while the virus is active in your system. Some people have one outbreak only, while others experience recurrences until their immune system clears the infection.
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