Genital Warts
Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and are small growths which form on or around the genital or anal area.
They can appear on their own or in clusters and are normally painless but in some cases can be itchy, inflamed or even bleed.
Here we will discuss the signs and symptoms of genital warts and how you can get treated.
Genital Warts
Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) and are small growths which form on or around the genital or anal area.
They can appear on their own or in clusters and are normally painless but in some cases can be itchy, inflamed or even bleed.
Here we will discuss the signs and symptoms of genital warts and how you can get treated.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person and you may not experience all of the symptoms listed.
But you may experience:
- Some painless growths or lumps around your vagina, penis or anus
- Itching or bleeding from your genitals or anus
- A change to your normal flow of pee that does not go away
How is it Transmitted?
Genital warts don’t always show visible warts but the STI can still get passed on to your partner. After you’re infected, it can take weeks before any symptoms start to show.
It is possible for you to get genital warts from:
- Skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal and anal sex
- Sharing sex toys
- Oral sex, but this is rare
How to Get Tested
The free, easy and discreet way to discover if you have an STI.
Call our Helpline
Speak to a friendly advisor and get the advice and support you need.
You’re not alone.
There are people who care about you and want to help you through this.
Prevention
The best ways you can prevent genital warts is to have safe sex and:
- Use a condom every time you have vaginal or anal sex
- Avoid sharing sex toys without washing in-between uses
Treatment
The treatment for genital warts depends on your circumstances. Your doctor will prescribe the right treatment for your needs.
These treatments can include:
- Cream or liquid you apply yourself a few times a week
- A doctor or nurse may need to surgically remove the warts
- A doctor or nurse may need to freeze the warts
FAQs
Genital Warts
Clear answers to common questions
Contacting a sexual health service for the first time may be a little daunting, especially if you’re not keen on talking to someone. So, here are answers to some of the questions we get asked a lot.
Is there a cure for genital warts?
There’s currently no cure for genital warts but it’s possible for your body to reduce how bad the warts are over time.
Do genital warts come back?
Yes, genital warts do come back because they’re caused by the HPV virus which can stay in your body forever.
What do I do if I think I have genital warts?
If you think you may have an STI you should visit your GP or local sexual health clinic, or call our helpline on 0300 003 1212.
