Genital warts (HPV)

Overview

HPV spreads through skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Most people with HPV never have symptoms, and the virus often goes away on its own.

Some types of HPV cause genital warts. Other types can cause cancer of the cervix and other areas; those are found with regular screening. Warts are not dangerous, but they can be bothersome.

Symptoms

Most people with HPV have no symptoms.

• Genital bumps or warts, raised or flat
• Warts shaped like a cauliflower
• Bumps around the vagina, penis, scrotum, or anus

Less common

• Itching
• Bleeding or discomfort
• An abnormal Pap test or positive HPV test

How it usually goes

• Weeks to months after contact: Warts may appear.
• Untreated: Warts may go away, stay the same, or grow.
• After treatment: They may come back in the first few months.

Look up a symptom: Abnormal Pap test or positive HPV test · Genital bumps or warts · Genital itching

When to get medical care

Causes

Genital warts are caused by certain types of HPV, mostly types 6 and 11. HPV spreads through genital skin contact during sex, even when there are no warts.

Does it spread or run in families?

• Yes, it can spread from person to person.
• How it spreads: sex or touch.
• Condoms lower the risk. Sex partners should be tested and treated too.

Who is more likely to get it

• Not being vaccinated against HPV
• A new partner or more than one partner
• A weak immune system

Possible complications

• Molluscum contagiosum: Different bumps that can look similar

Diagnosis

A healthcare professional can usually tell by looking at the warts.

Questions you may be asked

• When you noticed the bumps
• Itching, bleeding, or pain
• Recent partners
• Whether you've had the HPV vaccine
• Your last Pap or HPV test

The exam

They'll look at the genital and anal area.

Tests

Tests are usually not needed. Sometimes:

• Biopsy: A small sample if the bump looks unusual or doesn't respond to treatment.
• Pap and HPV tests: For women, to screen for cervical changes from cancer-causing HPV types.

Treatment

Warts can be treated, or you can wait, since some go away on their own within a year.

Self-care

• Don't use wart removers made for hands on genital warts
• Use prescription creams exactly as directed
• Avoid sex while cream is on the skin
• Use condoms, which lower but don't remove the risk of spread

Medicines

Prescription treatments you put on at home:

The HPV vaccine doesn't treat warts you already have, but it protects against types you haven't had.

A healthcare professional can freeze, burn, or cut off warts. Warts often come back in the first few months, even after treatment.

How it compares

Prevention

You can lower your risk:

• Get the HPV vaccine; it's recommended at age 11 or 12 and through age 26 if missed
• Use condoms
• Limit your number of partners
• Women should get regular cervical cancer screening

Which doctor treats this

• Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
• They may send you to a sexual health clinic, an OB-GYN, or a urologist; your local health department can test for free or low cost.

Back to school, work, or sports

• You can go to school and work as usual.
• Don't have sex until you and your partners finish treatment and your doctor says it's OK.

Children, pregnancy, and older adults

• Preteens and teens: The HPV vaccine works best before any sexual contact. Two doses are needed if started before age 15.
• Adults 27 to 45: Ask your healthcare professional if the HPV vaccine is right for you.
• Pregnancy: Some wart treatments aren't safe in pregnancy. Ask first.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

• If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
• Some skin medicines, like isotretinoin and retinoid creams, aren't safe in pregnancy.
• Some infections can pass to the baby during pregnancy or birth. Tell your provider if you've been exposed.
• Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
• Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
• Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.

Outlook

Warts can be treated, and many go away on their own. They may come back. The HPV vaccine prevents most new cases.

Getting ready for your visit

Visits are private.

What to bring

• When you noticed the bumps
• Recent partners
• Your vaccine record
• Your last Pap or HPV test

Questions to ask

• Should I treat them or wait?
• Will they come back?
• Should I get the HPV vaccine?
• Do I need other STI tests?

Research studies

Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.

Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on Genital warts (HPV)