Genital warts fpa (Family Planning Association) Genital warts are the most common STI seen at genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics in the UK, although many people who carry the virus that causes them have no physical symptoms.

In this article

What are genital warts? Causes and risk factors

Symptoms Treatment and recovery

Advice and support How to avoid STIs

Genital warts are the most common sexually transmitted infection. They are caused by a virus known as the human papilloma virus (HPV). There are more than 100 different types of HPV, some causing visible and invisible warts on the hands, feet or genital areas.

A few types of wart virus are linked to changes in the cells in the cervix, which could lead to cervical cancer many years later. Women should have regular cervical screening tests whether or not they have genital warts. Visible genital warts are not linked to cervical cancer and women who have had them don’t need cervical screening tests more often than other women.

Genital warts can be passed from one person to another during sex, and by skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the wart virus. The virus can remain in the body and be passed on before they are noticeable, or after they have disappeared.

Warts can be external or internal. In women, warts can be found on or in the vagina, vulva (the lips around the opening to the vagina), cervix and anus. In men, warts can be found on or around the penis, scrotum and urethra, and on or inside the anus.

The virus can spread if you have vaginal or anal sex, or share sex toys. Sometimes the virus can be passed on just by close intimate contact. It’s possible, but unusual, to develop warts in the mouth or on the lips from oral sex. In rare cases, it is possible for a pregnant woman to pass the virus to her baby at birth.

You can’t get genital warts from hugging, sharing baths or towels, from swimming pools, toilet seats, cups or cutlery.

Most people infected will not have any visible signs or symptoms at all. It can take from two weeks to several months after coming into contact with the virus before warts appear. You might notice small, fleshy growths, bumps or skin changes which may appear anywhere in the genital or anal area, either externally on the skin or internally.

You or your partner might see or feel them. They can be smooth, flat, large or small and appear singly or in groups. They’re usually painless, but sometimes may itch and cause inflammation which can bleed.

If you think you could have the virus, go for a check up. Testing is free on the NHS from genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics, sexual health clinics or general practices. You can be checked any time after you think you may have been in contact with the virus. If there are no visible warts, you may be asked to come back at a later time.

If warts are suspected you will have an examination of the whole genital area, including the anus. They might use a solution of weak vinegar over the area as this can help detect warts.

A new type of cervical screening test is being introduced which can diagnose the wart virus. From 2008, young women have been vaccinated against cervical cancer and several (but not all) strains of the wart virus.

There are a range of treatments for visible warts depending on where and how many warts there are, including:

• Special cream or liquid put onto the warts. This can be done at the clinic or at home. Do not use wart preparations that you can buy from the pharmacy, these will not work on genital warts.
• Heat treatment to burn them off, freezing them or using a laser.
• Surgery to remove them.
• Injecting a drug directly into the wart - this is less common.

The treatments can be uncomfortable but should not be painful. If you are pregnant, or trying to get pregnant, tell the doctor so they can choose a treatment that won’t be harmful to the developing baby.

Although the treatment is simple it may have to be repeated several times as warts can be stubborn. As the virus cannot be removed completely from the body, warts may recur.

If left untreated, warts may disappear, stay the same or grow larger in size or number. They remain infectious.

You can go to your general practice, a genitourinary medicine clinic or a sexual health clinic. All services are confidential.

You can also call the fpa helpline on 0845 122 8690 or the NHS Sexual Health Helpline on 0800 567 123.

• Male and female condoms, when used correctly, can help protect against STIs.
• Before you have sex, talk to your partner about using condoms.
• Use condoms every time you have vaginal or anal sex.
• If you have oral sex, use a dam.

This article was last medically reviewed by Dr Gill Jenkins in August 2009.