Genital warts
Genital warts is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) passed on through vaginal, anal and, rarely, oral sex. Treatment from a sexual health clinic can help them go away.
Go to a sexual health clinic if you have:
- 1 or more 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 (for example, sideways) that does not go away
- a sexual partner who has genital warts, even if you have no symptoms
You could have genital warts.
Go if you have 1 or more of these symptoms so you can find the cause.
Treatment can help get rid of the warts and prevent the infection being passed on.
Why you should go to a sexual health clinic
You can see a GP, but they'll probably refer you to a sexual health clinic if they think you might have genital warts.
Sexual health clinics treat problems with the genitals and urine system.
Many sexual health clinics offer a walk-in service where you do not need an appointment.
They'll often get test results quicker than GP practices, and you do not have to pay a prescription charge.
What happens at a sexual health clinic
A doctor or nurse can usually diagnose warts by looking at them.
They will:
- ask you about your symptoms and sexual partners
- look closely at the lumps around your genitals and anus
- possibly need to look inside your vagina, anus or urethra (where pee comes out) depending on where your warts are
It's not possible to find out who you got genital warts from or how long you have had the infection.
Treatment for genital warts needs to be prescribed by a doctor.
The type of treatment you'll be offered depends on what your warts are like. The doctor or nurse will discuss this with you.
- cream or liquid: you can usually apply this to the warts yourself a few times a week for several weeks, but in some cases you may need to go to the clinic every week for a doctor or nurse to apply it – these treatments can cause soreness, irritation or a burning sensation
- surgery: a doctor or nurse can cut, burn or laser the warts off – this can cause irritation or scarring
- freezing: a doctor or nurse freezes the warts, usually every week for 4 weeks – this can cause soreness
It may take weeks or months for treatment to work, and the warts may come back. In some people the treatment does not work.
There's no cure for genital warts, but it's possible for your body to clear the virus over time.
Do
- tell the doctor or nurse if you're pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, as some treatments will not be suitable
- avoid perfumed soaps or bubble baths during treatment as these can irritate the skin
- ask the doctor or nurse if your cream treatment will affect condoms, diaphragms or caps
Don't
- do not use wart treatment from a pharmacy – these are not made for genital warts
- do not smoke – many treatments for genital warts work better if you do not smoke
- do not have vaginal, anal or oral sex until the warts have gone – if you do, use a condom
How genital warts are passed on
The genital warts virus can be passed on whether or not there are visible warts.
Many people with the virus do not have symptoms but can still pass it on.
If you have genital warts, your current sexual partners should get tested as they may have warts and not know it.
If symptoms do appear, it can happen over a year after infection.
You can get genital warts from:
- skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal and anal sex
- sharing sex toys
- rarely, oral sex
The virus can also be passed to a baby from the mother at birth, but this is rare.
You cannot get genital warts from:
- kissing
- things like towels, cutlery, cups or toilet seats
Preventing the spread of genital warts
You can prevent warts passing on by:
- using a condom every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex – but if the virus is present in skin not protected by a condom, it can still be passed on
- not having sex while you're having treatment for genital warts
Why genital warts come back
Genital warts are caused by a virus called human papillomavirus (HPV). There are many types of HPV.
The HPV virus can stay in your skin and warts can develop again.
Warts may go away without treatment, but this can take many months. You can still pass the virus on, and the warts may come back.
Genital warts and cancer
Genital warts are not cancer and do not cause cancer.
The HPV vaccine offered to girls in the UK to protect against cervical cancer also protects against genital warts.
Since April 2018, the HPV vaccine has also been offered to men who have sex with men (MSM), trans men and trans women who are eligible.
Find out more about the HPV vaccine
Genital warts and pregnancy
Important
Tell your midwife or doctor if:
- you're pregnant, or think you're pregnant, and you have genital warts or think you have genital warts
During pregnancy, warts:
- can grow and multiply
- might appear for the first time, or come back after a long time of not being there
- can be treated safely, but some treatments should be avoided
- may be removed if they're very big to avoid problems during birth
- may be passed to the baby during birth, but this is rare – the virus can cause infection in the baby's throat or genitals
Most pregnant women with genital warts have a vaginal delivery. You might be offered a caesarean depending on your circumstances.
Page last reviewed: Fri Aug 2020 Next review due: Fri Aug 2020
