Genital Warts is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) passed on through vaginal, anal and, rarely, oral sex. Treatment from a sexual health clinic can help them go away.
What happens at a sexual health clinic
A doctor or nurse can usually diagnose warts by looking at them. They will:
- ask you about your symptoms and sexual partners
- look closely at the lumps around your genitals and anus
- possibly need to look inside your vagina, anus or urethra (where pee comes out) depending where your warts are.
It is not possible to find out who you got Genital Warts from or how long you have had the infection.
Treatment for genital warts
Treatment for genital warts needs to be prescribed by a doctor. The type of treatment you will be offered depends on what your warts are like. The doctor or nurse will discuss this with you.
- Cream or liquid: you can usually apply this to the warts yourself a few times a week for several weeks, but in some cases you may need to go to the clinic every week for a doctor or nurse to apply it – these treatments can cause soreness, irritation or a burning sensation.
- Surgery: a doctor or nurse can cut, burn or laser the warts off – this can cause irritation or scarring.
- Freezing: a doctor or nurse freezes the warts, usually every week for 4 weeks – this can cause soreness.
It may take weeks or months for treatment to work, and the warts may come back. In some people the treatment does not work. There is no cure for genital warts but it is possible for your body to clear the virus over time.
How genital warts are passed on
The genital warts virus can be passed on whether or not there are visible warts. Many people with the virus do not have symptoms but can still pass it on. If you have genital warts, your current sexual partners should get tested as they may have warts and not know it.
If symptoms do appear, it can happen over a year after infection. You can get genital warts from:
- skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal and anal sex
- sharing sex toys
- rarely, oral sex.
The virus can also be passed to a baby from the mother at birth, but this is rare.
You cannot get genital warts from:
You cannot get genital warts from:
- kissing
- things like towels, cutlery, cups or toilet seats.
Preventing the spread of genital warts
You can prevent warts passing on by:
- using a condom every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex – but if the virus is present in skin not protected by a condom, it can still be passed on
- not having sex while you're having treatment for genital warts.
Why genital warts come back
Genital warts are caused by a virus called Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). There are many types of HPV. The HPV virus can stay in your skin, and warts can develop again.
Warts may go away without treatment but this can take many months. You can still pass the virus on, and the warts may come back.
Schematic diagram of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
Genital warts and cancer
Genital warts are not cancer, and do not cause cancer. The HPV vaccine offered to girls in the UK to protect against cervical cancer also protects against genital warts.
Genital warts and pregnancy
During pregnancy, warts:
- can grow and multiply
- might appear for the first time, or come back after a long time of not being there
- can be treated safely, but some treatments should be avoided
- may be removed if they're very big, to avoid problems during birth
- may be passed to the baby during birth, but this is rare – the virus can cause infection in the baby's throat or genitals.
Most pregnant women with genital warts have a vaginal delivery. You might be offered a caesarean depending on your circumstances.
