Genital Warts
Genital warts are painless skin bumps in your genital area. You may have a single wart or several grouped together. They can have a flat or rough surface. Genital warts can appear on the penis, scrotum, vagina, vulva, or anus.
Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the U.S. Most people who become infected with HPV won't have any warts. But they can still pass the virus on to another person. HPV is passed on through skin contact with a wart during sex.
It can take 1 to 6 months for warts to appear after you're exposed to the virus. But sometimes a wart may not appear until years later. Genital warts can grow at different rates. Warts may grow and spread faster in people who are pregnant. Or in people who have a weak immune system. Large warts may be uncomfortable or block the vagina, urethra, or anus.
About 30 types of HPV can cause genital warts. Most of these types cause no other problems. But a few types of HPV can infect the cervix. If a cervical infection with one of these viruses goes undiagnosed and untreated, you're at higher risk for cervical cancer. It takes many months or years for signs of cancer to develop from an HPV virus infection of the cervix. People who have genital warts and people who have a partner with genital warts should get regular Pap tests. These tests look for changes that may lead to cervical cancer. HPV may also cause anal cancer.
Most warts go away on their own in 1 to 2 years. But it’s important to think about treatment. Treatment can:
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Make the warts go away sooner
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Lower the risk of spreading HPV to others
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Lower the risk for cervical cancer
Warts can be treated by freezing them, cutting them, removing them with a laser, using a prescription cream (imiquimod) to boost the immune system around the warts, or applying a liquid or gel to dissolve them. You may need more than 1 treatment session to make the warts go away. But even after the warts are gone, the virus stays in your skin. The warts may come back. Tell your healthcare provider if there's any chance that you could be pregnant before starting treatment.
You can get an HPV vaccine. The vaccine protects against certain types of HPV that cause genital warts and cervical cancer. You have HPV now. But being vaccinated could still help you. It can protect you from getting other types of HPV in the future. This is true for your partner as well. Ask your provider if getting vaccinated makes sense for you. Urge your partner to also ask about getting vaccinated.
Home care
Follow these tips to care for yourself at home:
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Apply an ointment or gel prescribed for you exactly as directed. Be careful not to get the ointment or gel on nearby healthy skin.
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After applying the ointment or gel, keep the area clean and dry. Wear loose-fitting cotton underwear to prevent chafing.
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If you have pain after treatment, sit in a tub with a few inches of warm water for 20 minutes (sitz bath). Do this 3 times a day for the next 2 to 3 days. Add a cup of cornstarch or baking soda, or a packet of colloidal oatmeal or astringent solution powder to the water. This will help soothe your skin.
How to prevent passing on the virus
The HPV virus is spread by having sex with someone who's infected. The risk of passing on the virus is greatest when you have warts. But there's a chance of spreading the virus even after treatment, when the wart can’t be seen. Condoms offer only limited protection from the warts. This is because HPV can infect skin in the genital area not covered by the condom.
Partners often have the same type of HPV. So you likely don't need to stop having sex with your current partner. But don’t have sex with any new partners until all visible warts are gone. Tell all current and future sexual partners that you've had genital warts. This way, a partner can be sure to have a regular Pap test, if appropriate.
Follow-up care
When you first learn that you have genital warts, you may feel guilty, angry, and upset. Getting the facts helps put you back in control. Follow up with your healthcare provider. Or with your local public health department. You can get a complete STI screening, including HIV testing. For more information, call the national STI hotline at 800-232-4636. After treatment, you should be rechecked in about 3 months to make sure all warts are gone.
When to get medical advice
Call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur after treating a wart:
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Redness or burning on your skin that doesn’t stop in a few hours
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Swollen skin around the treated area
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Pus draining from the treated area
Otherwise, get medical care right away if you have:
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Trouble peeing or having a bowel movement
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Fluid coming from the vagina or penis
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Skin rash or pain in a joint