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Booking an appointment has never been more accessible or more discreet! With just a few clicks, schedule an online consultation to discuss genital warts treatment in the privacy and comfort of your own home.

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Get a treatment plan designed just for you. Our doctors will evaluate your symptoms and create a personalised approach to manage genital warts, including medication options and effective management strategies to help reduce outbreaks and discomfort.

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We’re here to support you every step of the way. Our doctors provide ongoing guidance, answer your questions, and adjust your treatment as needed to ensure you feel empowered and supported throughout your care journey.

Medically Reviewed

By

Chrysoula I. Liakou

MD, PhD, Internal Medicine Specialist and
Cancer Immunology Researcher.

What Are Genital Warts?

Genital warts are small, flesh-coloured bumps that appear on or around the genital and anal areas. They are a type of sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV). The types of HPV that lead to genital warts, usually HPV types 6 and 11, are considered low-risk. This means they’re not linked to cancers, unlike high-risk HPV types that can increase the chances of developing cervical or vulvar cancer.

 

Genital warts can be spread through skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. They might cause symptoms like itching, discomfort, or mild pain, though sometimes people with genital warts don’t notice any symptoms at all. It’s possible to have HPV and spread it without showing visible signs of warts, which is why practicing safe sex is essential.

Genital Warts Symptoms

While some people may not notice symptoms, others experience visible and physical signs. Here are the common symptoms to look out for:

 

  • Appearance of Small Bumps: These warts can be flat or raised and often have a rough, cauliflower-like texture. They may be skin-coloured or a bit darker.

  • Single or Clustered Warts: Genital warts may appear as a single bump or in clusters that form larger growths.

  • Location Variations:
    • In males: Warts can show up on the penis, scrotum, thighs, groin, or around the anus.
    • In females: Warts may appear outside or inside the vagina, on the cervix, or around the anus.

  • Oral contact with HPV can lead to warts on the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat.

  • Itching or Irritation: Affected areas might feel itchy or irritated, ranging from mild to more bothersome.

  • Burning Sensation: Some people feel a mild burning in the area where warts have developed.

  • Bleeding: In some instances, genital warts may cause minor bleeding, especially if they become irritated.

  • Discomfort: Larger warts or clustered growths may lead to mild pain.



If you notice any of these symptoms or suspect you might have genital warts, it’s a good idea to consult a healthcare provider.

Genital Warts Causes

Genital warts are caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Here’s a breakdown of how genital warts develop and spread:

 

  • Specific HPV Strains: Over 200 types of HPV exist, but mainly types 6 and 11 cause genital warts. These are considered "low-risk" HPV strains as they do not lead to cancers.

  • Transmission through Sexual Contact: Genital warts spread through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activities, including:

    • Vaginal, anal, or oral sex

    • Genital touching, even without intercourse

  • Different from Common Warts: The strains causing genital warts differ from those that cause warts on hands or feet, so touching non-genital warts does not spread genital warts.

  • Asymptomatic Carriers: Many people with HPV don’t show symptoms or develop warts, yet they can still spread the virus to others. This makes HPV challenging to detect and trace.

  • Risk Factors: Certain behaviours increase the likelihood of contracting genital warts, including:

    • Having unprotected sex

    • Smoking

    • Having multiple sexual partners

  • HPV Prevalence: HPV is ubiquitous among sexually active individuals. In most cases, the virus clears up without causing health issues, but it can still be passed on to others.

 

Practising safe sex and using barrier methods can help reduce the risk of contracting HPV and developing genital warts.

Genital Warts Treatment

Genital warts may go away on their own, but treatment helps control symptoms, reduce the size of the warts, and lower the chance of spreading the infection to others. Treatments remove visible warts but don’t cure the human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes them. Because HPV stays in the body, warts can return even after treatment.

 

Here are the main options for treating genital warts:

 

  • Topical Medications: Doctors can prescribe creams or solutions that you apply directly to the warts several times a week. These treatments, like imiquimod and podophyllin, help break down wart tissue. It may take several weeks to see results, and some people experience mild skin irritation as a side effect.

  • Cryotherapy (Freezing): In this procedure, a healthcare provider applies liquid nitrogen to freeze the warts. The freezing causes blisters to form around the warts, which eventually fall off. This method often requires a few sessions and may cause mild discomfort or redness.

  • Electrocautery (Burning): The healthcare provider “burns” off the warts using an electric current. This treatment is done with local anaesthesia to reduce pain and is helpful for stubborn warts.

  • Laser Treatment: A focused laser light targets the warts, destroying the blood vessels that keep them alive. Laser treatment is often used for larger or harder-to-reach warts, and it can be effective after other methods haven’t worked.

  • Surgical Removal: A doctor may surgically remove large or hard-to-treat warts under local anaesthesia. This method is typically a last resort if other treatments are unsuccessful.

 

Some treatments may cause minor side effects like soreness or redness, and multiple sessions may be necessary to remove the warts thoroughly. Although treatment reduces visible warts, HPV can remain in your skin cells, meaning warts could come back. While undergoing treatment, it’s best to avoid sexual contact to reduce the risk of passing the virus to others.

Genital Warts Prevention

Preventing genital warts involves a mix of safe sexual practices and getting vaccinated against HPV. While no method guarantees 100% protection, these steps can significantly reduce the risk:

 

  • HPV Vaccine: The HPV vaccine (such as Gardasil and Gardasil 9) is one of the best ways to protect yourself against genital warts. It protects against the types of HPV most likely to cause warts and some types linked to cancers. The vaccine is recommended for people aged 9 to 45 and is given in two or three doses. It’s most effective before someone becomes sexually active, but it can still help those who already are.

  • Using Condoms or Dental Dams: Using condoms or dental dams during any sexual activity, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex, lowers the chance of getting HPV. While these barriers don’t cover all skin-to-skin contact areas, they help prevent the virus from spreading.

  • Avoiding Sexual Contact During Outbreaks: If you or your partner have visible genital warts, it’s best to avoid sexual activity until they’re treated. Genital warts are most contagious during outbreaks, so waiting can help reduce the risk of spreading HPV.

  • Limiting Sexual Partners: Reducing the number of sexual partners and being in a mutually monogamous relationship can lower the chances of getting HPV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

  • Regular STI Checkups: There’s no routine test for HPV that detects genital warts specifically, but regular STI screenings are still important. Knowing your health status and your partner's can help you manage risks and make informed choices.

  • Quitting Smoking: Smoking weakens the immune system, making it harder for the body to fight off HPV. Quitting can improve your body’s ability to clear the virus independently.

 

Following these steps can significantly lower the chances of getting and spreading genital warts. Talking to a healthcare provider can help you decide which preventive methods work best. Mobi Doctor can help you manage and treat genital warts by connecting you with qualified healthcare providers online. They offer advice on prevention, treatment options, and ongoing support to ensure you have access to the right care from the comfort of your home.

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