Genital Warts

What are genital warts?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

Genital warts are a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are many types of HPV. Some types of HPV can cause genital warts. Other types of HPV can cause cancer.

There is no treatment for HPV, but your health care provider can treat genital warts. HPV vaccines may help prevent some of the HPV infections that cause genital warts.

Who is at risk for genital warts?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

If you are sexually active, you can get genital warts during oral, vaginal, or anal sex with an infected partner. You can still get genital warts even if they are so small that you can't see them.

It doesn't happen often, but genital warts can also be spread from a woman to her baby during childbirth.

What are the symptoms of genital warts?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

Genital warts are often painless and may not cause any symptoms. You might not even know that you have them. Sometimes, they can also cause itching, burning, bleeding, or discomfort.

The warts usually appear as a small bump or group of bumps in the genital area. They are flesh-colored and can be flat or look bumpy like cauliflower.

How are genital warts diagnosed?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

Your provider can usually find out if you have genital warts by seeing them during a physical exam or pelvic exam. In women, the warts usually occur in or around the vagina, on the cervix, or around the anus. Men may have warts on the tip of the penis, around the anus, or on the scrotum, thigh, or groin.

What are the treatments for genital warts?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

The warts might disappear on their own, stay the same, or grow bigger or increase in number. A few ways that your provider can treat them include:

• Use medicines, cream, or ointment
• Remove them by burning, freezing, or cutting out the warts

HPV stays in your body even after treatment. This means that warts can come back, and you can still spread HPV to others after genital warts are removed.

Can genital warts be prevented?

From: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

Getting an HPV vaccine may help prevent genital warts. HPV vaccines provide the most protection if you get them before exposure to the virus. This means that it's best to get vaccinated before becoming sexually active. If you're over age 26 and haven't been vaccinated, talk with your provider about the possible benefits of vaccination.

Correct usage of latex condoms greatly reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of catching or spreading HPV. If you or your partner is allergic to latex, you can use polyurethane condoms. The best way to avoid infection is not to have anal, vaginal, or oral sex.

Dept. of Health and Human Services Office on Women's Health

Understanding terms used in the source

These definitions explain medical words used above. A definition is not evidence that another condition is present, and it does not predict how a symptom will develop. Ask the clinician which terms apply to the actual examination or test result.

Genital warts

Warts affecting the skin in the genital area (penile shaft, scrotum, vagina, or labia majora). Warts can be small, beginning as a pinhead-size swelling that may become larger and take on a pedunculated appearance. Warts can spread and coalesce into large masses in the genital or anal area. Their color is variable but tends to be skin colored or darker, and they may occasionally bleed. Warts may cause itching, redness, or discomfort. An outbreak of genital warts may also cause psychological distress.

Which doctor should you see?

The suggested department for discussing Genital Warts is Dermatology, with a dermatologist as the relevant type of clinician. Dermatologist; paediatric services for children as appropriate.

This is an editorial referral starting point. The appropriate clinic depends on the person’s age, symptoms, previous diagnosis and local services. The first clinician can decide whether another specialty or a team is needed; a department label does not confirm the diagnosis.

How to prepare for an assessment

Bring a short timeline of the main symptoms: when they first appeared, whether they are constant or episodic, what seems to change them, and how they affect daily activities. Include previous reports, discharge summaries, current medicines and supplements, allergies, and any relevant family history. A dated record is more useful than trying to match every feature in an online article.

Ask the clinician what is already established and what remains uncertain. If a test is suggested, ask what question it answers, what its limitations are and how the result would change the next step. The information here is not an instruction to arrange every possible test. In children, bring growth, developmental and school information if it is relevant to the concern.

• Which features of the skin, hair or nails distinguish the possibilities?
• Would photographs over time help document the changes?
• What should be expected from treatment, and how will irritation or other adverse effects be managed?

Treatment discussions and follow-up

Where the source describes treatments, these are an overview of possible care, not a prescription for an individual. Ask which option applies to the confirmed diagnosis, what benefit is expected, what adverse effects to watch for and how progress will be assessed. Availability, approvals and local practice can differ from the country described in the source.

Before leaving the appointment, clarify the next review date, who will communicate results, and whom to contact if the situation changes. Discuss difficulties with sleep, work, school, mobility, eating or emotional wellbeing when these are relevant. Practical support may require coordination between the treating clinician and other services.

The collected references do not establish a complete prevention or long-term outlook section for this entry. Missing information should not be interpreted as proof that prevention is impossible or that a particular outcome is inevitable. Ask what is known for the exact subtype, stage and personal circumstances, and which uncertainties remain.

When to seek emergency help

Severe breathing difficulty, collapse, new stroke-like symptoms, a seizure that is prolonged or repeated without recovery, uncontrolled major bleeding, or an immediate risk of self-harm require emergency help. In India, call 112 or reach the nearest emergency department. This is a general, non-exhaustive warning list; it is not a condition-specific triage tool.