What Are Genital Warts?

Genital warts can occur as a result of having human papillomavirus (HPV)—a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). If you have genital warts, you'll notice that they look like small, raised bumps on or near your genitals and anus.

While anyone can have genital warts, most people who develop them are between the ages of 17 and 33. Research estimates that between 10% and 20% of the general population have the type of HPV that can cause genital warts, though only about 1% of people with HPV tend to develop warts.

At this time, there is no outright cure for genital warts, however, treatments can help manage symptoms and reduce the appearance of the warts.

Symptoms

Not everyone with an HPV infection has the specific type or strain of HPV that causes genital warts. Most people who develop genital warts have HPV type 6 or type 11. It's also important to note that 90% of people who have these two types of HPV never develop symptoms at all.

In the chance you do experience genital warts, you may experience the following symptoms:

• A bump or cluster of bumps that is skin-colored or darker
• A raised and cauliflower-like appearance on the warts
• Bumps that are usually painless, but may cause itchiness or burning at times

Typically, genital warts can develop in or around any of the following areas:

• Vagina
• Labia
• Cervix
• Penis
• Scrotum
• Anus
• Groin
• Upper thigh
  

Causes

There are over 100 types of HPV, of which two—types 6 and 11—lead to 90% of genital warts cases. In most cases, your body’s immune system is able to keep the virus at bay, preventing the infection from producing wart symptoms.

HPV is an STI, meaning it’s primarily transmitted through sexual contact with someone else who has the infection. Typically, it takes anywhere from a few weeks to months after getting the virus before you develop genital warts or other HPV symptoms. You can get or transmit HPV through the following ways:

• Vaginal sex
• Oral sex
• Anal sex
• Skin to skin contact
• Sharing sex toys
• Childbirth, which can pass HPV from the birthing parent to the baby

Risk Factors

While anyone can develop genital warts, some people are at a higher risk of experiencing symptoms. The risk factors for genital warts due to HPV include:

• Being between the age of 17 and 33
• Being assigned female at birth
• Smoking tobacco
• Having a history of multiple HPV infections
• Living with an autoimmune disorder that makes affects how well your immune system functions

Diagnosis

If you suspect you have genital warts or know about your HPV status, it may be a good idea to see your healthcare provider for proper testing. Since genital warts are relatively common, a range of providers can diagnose you with warts, including:

In order to give you with an accurate diagnosis for genital warts, your healthcare provider can use the following diagnostic assessments and tests:

• Medical history: Learning more about your sexual and medical history
• Physical exam: Visually assessing the presence of genital warts
• Anal exam: Examining your anus using a special device called an anoscope
• Pap smear: Checking for the presence of genital warts and collecting a sample of cervical tissue in people assigned female at birth to test for HPV
• Biopsy: Taking a sample of wart tissue to send the sample in for testing under a microscope and confirm a diagnosis for genital warts

Generally, diagnosing genital warts also involves ruling out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms or bumps. Your healthcare provider may also test you for the following conditions:

• Condyloma lata: Skin symptoms that occur due to a syphilis infection
• Benign nevi: A noncancerous skin growth
• Other STIs: May include chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea, among others
  

Treatments

There’s no outright cure for genital warts, so the goals of treatment are to manage symptoms and reduce the appearance of warts. Keep in mind: there is no cure for HPV so your body can't get rid of the virus that causes genital warts. However, managing the warts or removing them can help reduce your changes of transmitting the infection to someone else.

There are two main types of treatment for genital warts: topical solutions and surgical removal. Here's what you need to know about each.

Topical Medications

To help reduce the appearance of genital warts and manage any burning or itching you might be experiencing, your healthcare provider can prescribe any of the following skin creams:

• Condylox (podophyllotoxin)
• Aldara (imiquimod)
• Veregen (sinecatechin)

Surgical Removal

In the case topical treatments help and your genital warts become more severe, your provider can suggest surgical removal. Surgical procedures focus on physically removing the genital warts from your skin. There are a variety of procedures to help remove warts, including:

• Surgical excision: Removes warts with a scalpel (sharp knife) or laser
• Liquid nitrogen cryosurgery ablation: Uses liquid nitrogen to destroy and then remove genital wart tissue
• Electrocauterization: Involves using heat from an electric current to remove the warts
• Laser vaporization: Heats up and destroys warts with specialized laser beams
• Photodynamic therapy: Applies a special photosensitizing agent to warts and exposes them to light, which works to remove the warts

How to Prevent Genital Warts

Since HPV is an STI, abstaining from sexual activity of any kind will prevent you from contracting the disease in the first place. However, refraining from having sex isn't always possible. So it's more important to practice safe sex by using condoms or dental dams to reduce your risk of getting or transmitting the infection.

In addition, getting vaccinated is one of the best ways to prevent getting HPV and experiencing genital warts. Gardasil is the specific vaccine that’s effective for HPV 6 and 11—so if this is something you're looking to get, talk to your healthcare provider for more information and whether this vaccine is right for you.

Compromised immunity (or having a lower functioning immune system function) can increase your risk of developing genital warts due to HPV. That said, making certain lifestyle changes can boost immunity. You might try the following strategies:

• Eating a diet full of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains
• Avoiding foods high in saturated fats, cholesterol, salt, and sugar
• Getting 150 minutes of light to moderate exercise each week
• Sleeping at least seven hours of sleep each night
• Limiting tobacco intake or quitting smoking
  

Living With Genital Warts  

While there is no cure for both HPV and genital warts, having warts is not life-threatening and the risk of developing complications is very low. In most cases, people with HPV may not ever develop genital warts or other symptoms. However, if you do develop symptoms, treatments can reduce the appearance of your warts and manage any related burning or itching that may occur.

Keep in mind: even with treatment, genital treatments can often come back. In fact, most people with warts have recurring warts within three months of treatment. However, consistent treatment and getting routine check-ups can help you better manage the condition, reduce symptoms, and lower your chances of transmitting the infection to your sexual partners.

In some cases, having genital warts can affect your emotional well-being. If you are unhappy with the appearance of your warts or feel distressed about your condition, it can be helpful to talk to a mental health professional about your concerns. Not only can they help you come to terms with your condition, but may also help you learn how to talk to your sexual partners about your infection.