What are Genital Warts?
Genital warts are a symptom of the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are small, rough lumps that appear on or around the genitals and anus. Warts found on the fingers or soles of the feet (verruca) are also caused by HPV but cannot spread to the genitals.
Where to get help in Bexley
If you think you might have genital warts, you can visit your local sexual health clinic or GP in the London Borough of Bexley. They can provide confidential testing and treatment. If you are diagnosed with HPV following a cervical screening appointment, you may be invited for another screen within 1 year, or a colposcopy (cervical examination).
For more information, visit the NHS website or contact your local healthcare provider.
Genital warts are transmitted via direct skin to skin contact, during vaginal, anal or oral sex (rare). They can also be passed on from sharing sex toys, or from parent to baby during childbirth if the parent has genital warts, however this is rare.
You CANNOT catch genital warts from:
- Sharing towels
- Kissing
- Sharing cutlery
- Toilet seats
- Sharing baths, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms or swimming pools
Symptoms are the same for both sexes. These include:
- Small rough lumps on or around the genitals or anus. These may appear on their own or in clusters (resembling cauliflower)
- Problems urinating
- Pain or discomfort during sex
t is important to attend your cervical screening appointments as some strains of HPV can lead to cervical and other types of cancers. There is currently no routine blood test, or home testing kit available for HPV.
Use Condoms: Consistently using condoms during sex can significantly reduce the risk of STIs.
Screening: HPV screening is available to people with vaginas aged 25 and over in the UK. There is no routine blood test or STI screen available.
Communicate with Partners: Open and honest communication with sexual partners about STI testing and protection is essential.
Vaccination: HPV vaccines are offered to everyone aged between 12 and 13, and adults who are deemed high risk
Treatment: Avoid having sex whilst being treated for genital warts
Generally genital warts do not need any treatment and can go away on their own within 6 months. If treatment is recommended, a doctor will prescribe it to you.
The type of treatment depends on your symptoms, what the warts look like and where they are. Treatment options include:
Creams, ointments or liquids. These can cause a painful burning or stinging sensation. Some of these can cause damage to condoms, dams and diaphragms, so it’s best to avoid sex whilst using these
Freezing (cryotherapy). This can involve more than one appointment and can be painful
Surgery. The warts are cut, burned or lasered off under local anaesthetic (numbed but awake). This may cause pain, discomfort or scarring afterwards.
A doctor or nurse will need to examine the warts to diagnose you correctly. They may ask about your current or previous sexual partner(s), look inside your vagina, anus or urethra (pee hole), and use a magnifying lens when examining the warts. It is not possible to determine how long you have had the HPV virus for, or who you caught it from.
During your appointment, you will be encouraged to tell your current sexual partner(s) so they can access treatment, this can be done anonymously through partner notification services. You do not need to contact your previous sexual partner(s).
Warts can appear for the first time during pregnancy because of the immune system changes that happen when someone is pregnant. Genital warts can be treated with cryotherapy (freezing) during pregnancy. However, having genital warts rarely affects the baby during birth.
If you are pregnant, you can be reassured that there is little risk to the baby, but you should tell your doctor or nurse if you have genital warts. If you require treatment other than cryotherapy, it is generally delayed until 6 weeks after birth as they may disappear on their own.