Genital warts are one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). A virus called the human papillomavirus (HPV) causes genital warts. There are many different kinds of wart viruses. The kind of wart virus that causes genital warts is a different kind of virus than the type that causes warts on the hands and feet.
What do genital warts look like?
Many genital wart infections have no visible signs. Your care provider can usually tell if you have genital warts. Genital warts are growths on the skin on or around the vagina, anus, rectum, scrotum, or penis. They can be as big as nickels or so small that you cannot see them. Genital warts can be flat or look like they have lots of little fingers. They can be slightly darker in color than regular skin. Women who have genital warts cannot see them growing in the vagina or on the cervix. Getting a Pap smear every year is a good way for your care provider to see genital warts. Genital warts can also develop in the mouth and throat of a person who has had oral sex with an infected partner.
How do you get genital warts?
Genital warts are very contagious. The virus is passed from one person to another during oral, genital or anal sex with an infected partner. About two-thirds of people who have sexual contact with someone with genital warts will develop warts. Usually people develop genital warts within 3 to 6 months of contact.
Are genital warts dangerous?
Women with genital warts get cancer of the cervix more often. Pap smears are very important and should be done every year for a woman with genital warts. If a Pap smear result is not normal, more tests are done. Your care provider will decide which treatment is best for you. Genital warts can grow and bleed during pregnancy, but usually do not cause problems. Usually, a C-section is not needed if a woman has genital warts.
Is there treatment for genital warts?
Don’t ever use over-the-counter wart medicine to treat genital warts! Get treatment from your care provider. Treatment will depend on where the warts are and how big they are. If the warts are not too big and are easy to reach, they will be treated with medicine to kill and dissolve the warts. Most warts need many weekly treatments before they go away. It is very important that you keep treatment appointments in the Clinic. If the warts are big or if they are inside the vagina or rectum they may be treated by burning them, freezing them, or with lasers or surgery. The doctor will decide which treatment is best for you.
How can I avoid getting genital warts?
If you or your sexual partner has genital warts, avoid any sexual contact until the warts are treated. The best way to not pass them on is to not have sex. Condoms, if they cover the area of infection, may slow the spread of genital warts. People who have many sex partners are at higher risk to get genital warts. After genital warts have been treated, the risk of transmission seems to be lower.