What is it?
Genital warts are small lumps on the skin, which can affect the vaginal area, the penis, testicles and the area around the anus (back passage). Less commonly they can be seen inside the rectum, in the vagina or cervix. Genital Warts are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
This is a common virus, but not everyone who has the virus develops genital warts. It is a STI that is passed on via skin-to-skin contact. You don’t need to actually have penetrative sex (vaginal, anal or oral) to pass it on. Most transmissions occur when warts are present, but it is still possible to transmit the virus when there are no visible warts.
Symptoms
Many people who get HPV don’t show any signs or symptoms (including genital warts) and over time the virus may go away on its own. If you do get genital warts they can develop from 3 weeks to many years after coming into contact with the virus, so it is impossible to say when and who you got it from. They look like small growths, bumps or skin changes that appear in the genital area that weren’t there previously.
There can be one or several and usually do not cause any pain. They can occasionally itch or bleed depending on where they are. Testing There is no routine test for HPV (including genital warts). If you think you may have genital warts a doctor or nurse will examine you and confirm the diagnoses.
Treatment
Treatment depends on what your warts look like, where they are and how they are affecting you. We will also consider your general health and immune system before deciding the best treatment for you.
Treatment usually involves creams at home or applying freezing therapy in clinic. Rarely they can be removed with surgery (using local anaesthetic).
A vaccine is available that protects you from getting the main types of HPV. This is now given to all girls and boys aged 12–13 as part of the national vaccination programme.
However the HPV vaccine is not something we routinely provide in our clinics for this age group.
Men who have sex with men aged 15-45 will be offered the vaccine at our clinics under the new HPV programme.
Long Term Effects
If untreated, genital warts may disappear, stay the same or grow larger in size or number. It is not usually harmful to your health if the warts are not treated but you may find them uncomfortable and may not like the way they look.