About genital warts
Genital warts are a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). This virus is passed on through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the virus on their skin. It can be passed during vaginal and but it’s rare that it’s passed through oral.
How do I get genital warts?
You can get genital warts by coming in contact with HPV, which can be passed on through sexual contact, including skin-to-skin contact of the genitals. The virus may be present on the skin without any warts being visible. You’re still at risk of HPV even if you use condoms because they don’t cover all of the genital skin.
Symptoms of genital warts
If you have Best Genital warts treatment, you may notice lumps or growths around your . However, it’s possible to carry the virus without developing actual warts.
You may develop symptoms years after you have been in contact with the virus, so it isn’t possible to know exactly when you came in contact with HPV.
Warts are more likely to appear or re-appear during pregnancy due to a change in how the immune system manages the virus.
If you have genital warts, you may notice lumps or growths around your . However, it’s possible to carry the virus without developing actual warts.
You may develop symptoms years after you have been in contact with the virus, so it isn’t possible to know exactly when you came in contact with HPV.
Warts are more likely to appear or re-appear during pregnancy due to a change in how the immune system manages the virus.
Testing for genital warts
A healthy immune system usually clears the virus or suppresses it over time, which eventually leads to the warts being cured.
If you think you might have genital warts, make an appointment with your GP or contact your local sexual health services. It’s imperative that warts are diagnosed by a doctor or nurse.
Treating genital warts
Genital wart treatment varies depending on the severity of the case and must be prescribed by a doctor or nurse. Treatment options include:
- Cream or liquid
- Freezing
- Surgery
Cream or liquid
You can apply this treatment to your warts a few times a week for several weeks.
A doctor or nurse will usually freeze the warts with liquid nitrogen every week for 4 weeks. If the warts are not responding to this treatment or are too large for cream or freezing, surgery may be recommended. This involves cutting, burning or lasering the warts off and comes with potential side effects such as bleeding, wound infection or scarring.
Recurring genital warts
Warts may return even after they have initially gone away, which can happen weeks, months, or even years later. However, you can try to reduce the likelihood of this by keeping yourself and your immune system healthy through diet and exercise. Additionally, since smoking decreases your chances of clearing the HPV virus, it’s advised that you quit if you are a smoker. Unfortunately, in some cases the virus does not respond to treatment and there is no cure for genital warts. However, it is still possible for your body to clear the virus over an extended period of time.
Avoiding passing on genital warts to a partner
The best way to avoid passing on genital warts is to use a condom every time you have ***. However, if the virus is present on skin not protected by a condom, it can still be passed on.
Your doctor or nurse may advise you to avoid while you’re having treatment for genital warts.
