Genital warts are caused by a virus called HPV (human papillomavirus), one of the most common sexually transmitted infections. An estimated 40 million Americans are infected with HPV, with 1 million new cases each year. HPV is the name of a group of viruses that includes more than 60 different types.
You can get genital warts anytime you have direct skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, oral or anal sex with someone who has this infection. And you can’t always tell by looking if someone has genital warts because most HPV infections are subclinical – there are no visible signs. They are different from warts people get on their hands or feet. Genital warts are soft, flat or raised growths or bumps on, around or inside the penis, scrotum, vagina, vulva, cervix or anus. They may also develop in the mouth. Warts can be different colors and sizes, but are often flesh-colored and may look like little cauliflowers. There may be only one wart, or they may appear in bunches. They are usually painless. They may be too small to see or may be inside your body where only your health care provider can see them. Genital warts usually appear 3 weeks – 8 months, sometimes even longer, after you have been infected. This time period makes it difficult to track the infection as it is passed from partner to partner.
If you think you have warts or have been exposed to HPV, see a health care provider. A Pap smear can detect precancerous cervical changes – not HPV. However, an abnormal Pap smear often shows changes that could be caused by HPV infection. Women with abnormal Pap smears should be examined further.
There are several ways to remove visible genital warts, but the underlying HPV infection can’t be cured. The virus that causes genital warts stays in your body and may cause warts to appear in the future. Types of treatment include:
– Cryotherapy (freezing off the wart with liquid nitrogen) is relatively inexpensive and effective in many cases.
– Podofilox and podophyllin are chemical compounds that can be applied to the wart surface. Both are relatively inexpensive and effective in a large number of cases. Podoflox can be applied by the patient, while podophyllin is more caustic and must be applied by a health care provider.
– Trichloracetic acid (TCA) is another chemical applied to the surface of the wart by a health care provider.
– Electrocautery (destroying the infected tissue with electric current) is another option.
– Laser therapy (using an intense light to destroy the warts) or surgery (cutting off the warts) is expensive and generally used in more complicated cases.
– Imiquimod cream (Aldara) is a patient-applied cream that is expensive.
Certain ways to lower your risk of getting any sexually transmitted disease also may be effective with HPV or genital warts:
– You can reduce your risk of getting HPV or genital warts by not having sex with anyone or by having sex only with one uninfected partner who has sex only with you. The more people you have sex with, the greater your chances of getting sexually transmitted infections.
– Using latex condoms every time from start to finish provides some protection if they cover the area of the HPV infection.
– Talk to your partner and get checked during your regular health exam, or make a separate appointment.
It’s normal to feel emotional or upset about having HPV or genital warts. Some people feel ashamed, less attractive or less interested in sex. They may feel angry at their sexual partner(s), even though it is not always possible to know exactly when or from whom the virus was spread. But genital HPV can be managed.