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Overview
What Are Genital Warts?
Genital warts are growths caused by certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV). They can affect the genitals, anus, or nearby skin and may appear as small bumps or larger clusters. Genital warts can occur in people of any sex. They are sometimes called g warts, HPV warts, or anogenital warts.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Genital Warts
Genital warts may appear weeks, months, or longer after HPV exposure. Some people have HPV without visible warts or other symptoms, so the absence of growths does not rule out infection.
- Small flesh-colored or gray bumps.
- Flat or raised growths.
- Clustered, cauliflower-like growths.
- Itching around the affected skin.
- Bleeding from a growth.
- Discomfort or irritation.
Do not self-diagnose
Get unusual growths checked
Do not assume that bumps near the genitals or anus, including growths sometimes described as warts around the bum hole, are genital warts. Other skin conditions can look similar, including lesions that need prompt medical evaluation.
How It Spreads
How Genital Warts Spread
HPV spreads mainly through intimate skin-to-skin sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. It can be transmitted even when no warts are visible, because a person may carry HPV without knowing it.
- Condoms and dental dams reduce the risk of HPV transmission but do not cover all potentially affected skin.
- A partner may have acquired HPV long before warts appear, so genital warts do not necessarily reflect a recent exposure.
- HPV is not usually spread through toilet seats, casual contact, or sharing utensils.
Risk Factors
Risk Factors for Genital Warts
- Intimate sexual contact can expose someone to HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases linked with genital warts.
- Having a new or multiple sexual partners increases the chance of encountering HPV.
- Inconsistent use of condoms or dental dams can increase exposure to HPV.
- Not being vaccinated against HPV leaves one important prevention opportunity unused.
- A weakened immune system can make it harder to control HPV and may increase the chance of visible warts.
- Smoking is associated with a higher likelihood of HPV-related problems.
- A history of other sexually transmitted infections may indicate increased exposure risk.
Having a risk factor does not mean someone will develop visible genital warts. HPV can affect people with one long-term partner or with no obvious risk factors, and a person may not know when exposure occurred.
Complications
Possible Complications
- Warts may recur after treatment.
- Growths can become irritated or bleed.
- Extensive growths may make urination or bowel movements difficult.
- Visible warts can cause anxiety, embarrassment, or emotional distress.
- HPV can be transmitted to sexual partners even when symptoms are limited.
The HPV types that cause visible genital warts usually do not cause cancer. However, abnormal, painful, bleeding, or rapidly changing growths need professional assessment because they may have another cause.
Diagnosis
How Genital Warts Are Diagnosed
A clinician usually diagnoses genital warts by inspecting the affected skin and asking about symptoms, sexual health, and medical history. The examination may include the external genital and anal area when appropriate.
- A biopsy or additional evaluation may be needed when lesions are atypical, pigmented, firm, fixed, ulcerated, bleeding, resistant to treatment, or when the diagnosis is uncertain.
- Clinicians may offer tests for other sexually transmitted infections based on sexual exposure, symptoms, and examination findings.
Treatment & Management
Treatment and Management of Genital Warts
Treatment removes visible warts but does not directly eradicate HPV. Some warts resolve without treatment, while others need medical care because they are bothersome, persistent, extensive, or difficult to diagnose.
| Approach | What to know |
|---|---|
| Clinician-prescribed topical medicines | Applied to selected external warts as directed. They can avoid a procedure but may cause skin irritation and are not suitable for every location or pregnancy. |
| Freezing treatment | A clinician freezes the growths, often over more than one visit. It may cause pain, blistering, or temporary swelling. |
| Chemical treatment | A healthcare professional applies a chemical solution to destroy warts. Careful application is needed because nearby skin can be irritated. |
| Electrosurgery or laser treatment | Heat or laser energy removes growths and may help with larger or difficult-to-treat lesions. Healing and local discomfort are possible. |
| Surgical removal | A clinician cuts away selected growths, sometimes when they are extensive or have not responded to other options. Recurrence can still occur. |
Use medical guidance
Genital-skin treatment
Do not use ordinary over-the-counter wart removers on genital or anal skin. If you are pregnant or could be pregnant, consult a clinician before using any topical medication.
Follow-up may be needed because warts can persist or return after treatment. Follow advice about avoiding sexual contact while lesions are present or treatment is underway, discuss HPV and STI testing with partners, and return for persistent or recurrent growths. Treatment for warts on genital skin should be chosen by a qualified clinician.
Prevention
Preventing Genital Warts
- HPV vaccination lowers the risk of infection with HPV types that can cause genital warts and other health problems.
- Using condoms or dental dams can reduce HPV transmission, although they do not cover all exposed skin.
- Having fewer overlapping sexual partners can reduce opportunities for HPV exposure.
- Avoiding sex when visible warts are present can help reduce transmission and irritation.
- Regular, honest communication about sexual health can support informed decisions and appropriate testing.
Vaccination and barrier methods reduce risk but cannot protect against every HPV exposure because uncovered skin can transmit the virus. There is no routine screening test for genital warts themselves, so new growths should be assessed rather than self-diagnosed.
Outlook and Prognosis
Outlook for Genital Warts
Genital warts often improve or disappear over time, with or without treatment, but the timing varies. Recurrence is possible, especially during the first months after treatment, because HPV may remain in the skin.
Genital warts are usually not dangerous, but new, changing, painful, or persistent lesions should be reviewed by a clinician. Follow-up can also help address concerns about anogenital warts, transmission, or treatment.
When Should You See a Doctor
When Should You See a Doctor?
- Arrange medical care for new bumps on the genitals or around the anus.
- Seek an assessment when you are unsure whether a growth is a wart.
- Make an appointment for itching or pain that does not settle.
- Have bleeding from a genital or anal growth checked.
- Seek care if a growth is increasing in size quickly.
- Ask for medical advice during pregnancy.
- Arrange an evaluation if you have a weakened immune system.
- Discuss care if you are concerned about another sexually transmitted infection.
Seek prompt care
Prompt assessment
Seek prompt assessment for lesions that are very painful, ulcerated, darkly pigmented, hard, fixed, or rapidly changing. Get urgent medical advice if growths cause difficulty urinating or passing stool.
