Genital warts

What are they?

Genital warts are small fleshy growths, bumps or skin changes that appear on or around the genital or anal area. They are the second most common type of sexually transmitted infection (STI) after chlamydia and are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Genital warts are usually painless and do not pose a serious threat to health but can be unpleasant to look at and cause psychological distress. There is no evidence that your fertility will be affected by genital warts.

 

The human papillomavirus (HPV)

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is not a single virus, but a family of more than 100 different strains of viruses. Different strains usually affect different parts of the body, including the hands or feet. Around 90% of all cases of genital warts are caused by two strains of the virus – type 6 and type 11.

 

The types of HPV that cause visible genital warts do not cause genital cancer.

 

Gardasil, the HPV vaccination, can not only help protect against HPV types 6 and 11, but also protects against types 16 and 18, which are linked to more than 70% of cases of cervical cancer.

 

How do they spread?

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

 

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. It can take months, or even years, for warts to develop after infection with HPV.

 

Condoms do not provide complete protection because it is possible for the skin around your genital area not covered by the condom to become infected.

 

Who is affected?

Both men and women can be affected by genital warts. They are most common in sexually active teenagers and young adults.

 

Treating genital warts

  • It is possible to have more than one STI, so if you think you have warts, it is a good idea to have a check-up.
  • You can go to your local sexual health or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic whatever age you are. If you’re under 16, the service is still confidential and the clinic won’t tell your parents.
  • The treatment for genital warts depends on how many warts you have and where they are. Several treatments are available, such as liquids or creams and freezing the warts (cryotherapy).
  • You should not use wart creams that are available over the counter because they are designed to only treat warts on the hands or verrucas.
  • If you are diagnosed with genital warts, 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 speed up your recovery.

 

Will the warts come back?

Some people only ever get one episode of genital warts. For many others, the warts will come back weeks, months or years later.

 

If you do develop a new wart, it is not possible to say if these are a result of the original infection or a new infection with HPV.