Genital warts are soft, wart-like growths on the genitals caused by a virus. Genital warts are a type of sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Alternative NamesCondylomata acuminata; Penile warts; Human papilloma virus (HPV); Venereal warts; Condyloma; HPV DNA test; Sexually transmitted disease (STD)
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe virus responsible for genital warts is called human papilloma virus (HPV). More than 70 different types of HPV exist. Several types cause genital warts.
Genital warts may be found on the penis, vulva, urethra, vagina, cervix, larynx, and around and in the anus.
Other types of HPV are associated with common or flat warts found on other parts of the skin, such as the hands. However, people will not get genital warts from contact with warts on the hands or other parts of the body.
HPV infection around the genitals is common, although most people have no symptoms. Even if you do NOT have symptoms, however, you must be treated to prevent complications and spreading the condition to others.
In women, HPV can invade the walls of the vagina and cervix. These warts are flat and not easy to see without special procedures.
Certain types of HPV can lead to precancerous changes in the cervix, cervical cancer, or anal cancer. These are called high-risk types of HPV.
The following are important facts about how HPV and genital warts can be spread:
The following factors put you at higher risk for getting genital warts, having them spread more quickly, having them return, or having other complications of HPV:
If a child has genital warts, you should suspect sexual abuse as a possible cause.
SymptomsGenital warts can be raised or flat, and are usually flesh-colored. They may appear as cauliflower-like growths. Sometimes they are so small and flat that they cannot be seen with the naked eye.
Common places to find genital warts:
Other symptoms are rare, but may include:
However, many people with HPV infection often have no symptoms.
Signs and testsA genital examination reveals flesh-colored to white, flat or raised, single or clustered lesions anywhere on the genitalia.
In women, a pelvic examination may reveal growths on the vaginal walls or cervix. Magnification (colposcopy) may be used to see lesions that are invisible to the naked eye. The tissue of the vagina and cervix may be treated with acetic acid (dilute vinegar) to make the warts visible.
A Pap smear may note changes caused by HPV. Women with these types of changes often need more frequent Pap smears for a period of time.
An HPV DNA test can identify the high-risk types of HPV that are known to cause Cervical cancer. It may be done as a screening test for women over age 30, or for women of any age who have a slightly abnormal Pap test result.
TreatmentGenital warts must be treated by a doctor. Do NOT use over-the-counter remedies meant for other kinds of warts.
Your doctor may treat genital warts by applying a skin treatment in the office. Or, the doctor may prescribe a medication that you apply at home several times per week. These treatments include:
Surgical treatments include:
If you develop genital warts, all of your sexual partners must be examined by a health care provider and treated if genital warts are found.
After your first treatment, your doctor will schedule follow-up examinations to see if the warts have returned.
Women who have had genital warts, and women whose partners have ever had genital warts, should have Pap smears at least once a year. For warts on the cervix, women may be advised to have Pap smears every 3 to 6 months after initial treatment.
Women with precancerous changes caused by HPV infection may need further treatment.
Young women and girls ages 9 - 26 shoul be vaccinated against HPV.
Expectations (prognosis)Most sexually active young women become infected with HPV, but very few remain infected for more than 5 years. In many cases, HPV goes away on its own.
Most men who become infected with HPV never develop any symptoms or problems from the infection. However, they can pass it on to current and sometimes future sexual partners.
Even after you have been treated for genital warts, you may still infect others.
Certain types of genital warts increase a woman's risk for cancer of the cervix and vulva.
ComplicationsSome types of HPV have been found to cause cancer of the cervix and vulva. They are the main cause of cervical cancer.
The types of HPV that can cause genital warts are not the same as the types that can cause penile or anal cancer.
The warts may become numerous and quite large, requiring more extensive treatment and follow-up procedures.
Calling your health care providerCall your doctor if a current or past sexual partner is found to have genital warts. Call if you have visible warts on your external genitals, itching, discharge, or abnormal vaginal bleeding. Keep in mind that genital warts may not appear for months to years after having sexual contact with an infected person.
Call your doctor if a young child is thought to possibly have genital warts.
Women should begin to have Pap smears at age 21.
PreventionTotal abstinence is the only foolproof way of avoiding genital warts and other STIs. You can also avoid STIs by having a sexual relationship with only one partner who is known to be disease-free.
Skin near the warts and around the genitals, anus, and other areas can pass the virus from one person to the next. Therefore, male and female condoms cannot fully protect you. Nonetheless, condoms reduce risk and should still be used. They reduce your chances of getting or spreading STIs. These precautions must be taken at all times. HPV can be passed from person to person even when there are no visible warts or other symptoms. See: Safe sex
Stop smoking.
Two vaccines are available that prevent infection against four of the HPV strains responsible for the majority of cervical cancer in women. The vaccine is given as a series of three shots. It is recommended for girls and women ages 9 to 26. See: HPV vaccine for more detailed information.
ReferencesDiaz ML. Human papilloma virus: prevention and treatment.Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am.2008;35(2):199-217.
Mayrand MH, Duarte-Franco E, Rodrigues I, Walter SD, Hanley J, Ferenczy A, et al. Human papillomavirus DNA versus Papanicolaou screening tests for cervical cancer. N Engl J Med. 2007;357:1579-1588.
Kahn JA. HPV vaccination for the prevention of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. N Engl J Med. 2009;361:271-278.
HPV and Men - CDC Fact Sheet. April 3, 2008. Accessed December 20, 2009.
Genital warts are soft growths on the skin and mucus membranes of the genitals. They may be found on the penis, vulva, urethra, vagina, cervix, and around and in the anus.
Genital warts are a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Alternative NamesCondylomata acuminata; Penile warts; Human papilloma virus (HPV); Venereal warts; Condyloma; HPV DNA test; Sexually transmitted disease (STD) - warts; LSIL-HPV; Low-grade dysplasia-HPV; HSIL-HPV; High-grade dysplasia HPV; HPV
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThe virus that causes genital warts is called human papilloma virus (HPV). More than 70 different types of HPV exist. Certain types of HPV can lead to precancerous changes in the cervix, cervical cancer, or anal cancer. These are called high-risk types of HPV.
Not all types of HPV cause genital warts. Other types of HPV cause warts on other parts of the skin, such as the hands. This article focuses on warts on the genitals.
HPV infection around the genitals is common. However, most people have no symptoms. In women, HPV can spread to areas inside the walls of the vagina and cervix. They are not easy to see without special procedures.
Important facts about HPV:
You are more likely to get genital warts and spread them more quickly if you:
If a child has genital warts, you should suspect sexual abuse as a possible cause.
SymptomsGenital warts may be so tiny, you might not see them.
The warts may look like:
In females, genital warts may be found:
In males, genital warts may be found on the:
Genital warts may also occur on the
Other symptoms are rare, but may include:
The health care provider will perform a physical exam.
In women, this will include a pelvic examination. Magnification (colposcopy) is used to spot warts that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Your doctor may place watered-down vinegar (acetic acid) on the area. This helps better see any warts.
The virus that causes genital warts can cause abnormal results on a Pap smear. If you have these types of changes, you will probably need more frequent Pap smears for a while.
An HPV DNA test can tell if you have a high-risk type of HPV known to cause cervical cancer. This test may be done:
Genital warts must be treated by a doctor. Do NOT use over-the-counter medicines meant for other kinds of warts.
Treatment may include:
Prescription medicines include:
The warts may be removed with surgery, including:
If you have genital warts, all of your sexual partners must be examined by a health care provider and treated if warts are found. Even if you do NOT have symptoms, you must be treated to prevent complications and spreading the condition to others.
You will need to return to your health care provider after treatment to make sure all the warts are gone.
Regular Pap smears are recommended if you are a woman who has had genital warts, or if you parter had them. If you had warts on your cervix, you may need to have Pap smears every 3 to 6 months after the first treatment.
Women with precancerous changes caused by HPV infection may need further treatment.
Young women and girls ages 9 - 26 should be vaccinated against HPV, even if they already have genital warts, though the vaccine is somewhat less effective in preventing cervical cancer if you have already had an infection with high risk HPV.
Expectations (prognosis)Many sexually active young women become infected with HPV. In many cases, HPV goes away on its own.
Most men who become infected with HPV never develop any symptoms or problems from the infection. However, they can pass it on to current and sometimes future sexual partners.
Even after you have been treated for genital warts, you may still infect others.
ComplicationsSome types of HPV have been found to cause cancer of the cervix and vulva. They are the main cause of cervical cancer.
The types of HPV that can cause genital warts are not the same as the types that can cause penile or anal cancer.
The warts may become numerous and quite large, requiring more extensive treatment and follow-up procedures.
Calling your health care providerCall your doctor if:
Women should begin having Pap smears at age 21.
PreventionNot having sexual contact is the only foolproof way to avoid genital warts and other STIs. You can also decrease your chance of getting an STI by having a sexual relationship with only one partner who you know is disease-free.
Male and female condoms cannot fully protect you, because the virus or warts can be on nearby skin. Nonetheless, condoms reduce your risk and you should still use them at all times. HPV can be passed from person to person even when there are no visible warts or other symptoms. See: Safe sex
Two vaccines are available that protect against four of the HPV types that cause most cervical cancers in women. The vaccine is given as a series of three shots. It is recommended for girls and women ages 9 to 26.
See: HPV vaccinefor more detailed information.
ReferencesDiaz ML. Human papilloma virus: prevention and treatment.Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am.2008;35(2):199-217.
Mayrand MH, Duarte-Franco E, Rodrigues I, Walter SD, Hanley J, Ferenczy A, et al. Human papillomavirus DNA versus Papanicolaou screening tests for cervical cancer. N Engl J Med. 2007;357:1579-1588.
Kahn JA. HPV vaccination for the prevention of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. N Engl J Med. 2009;361:271-278.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 11/07/2011
David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Bellevue, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine.
You can be reinfected with genital warts in the future. HPV vaccination can lower the risk.
Yes they are; HPV is the virus that causes genital warts.
No it is not.
HPV or genital warts is often cauliflower shaped.
genital warts
Yes women with HPV give men genital warts.
Genital warts typically go away on their own. Treatments are available to get rid of them faster.
No, finger warts are not caused by the same subtype of HPV that causes genital warts.
Genital warts don't run in the family; you must come into contact with the virus to be infected.
No, only for genital warts like Giardasil.
Genital Warts
Yes