STIs

Genital warts

Alsoanogenital wartscondylomata acuminatagenital wartvenereal wartsHPV warts

Not yet reviewed by a clinician. This health entry was written from the public-health sources listed below and is general information only. It is not medical advice.

Definition

Genital warts are small, usually painless growths on or around the genitals or anus caused by low-risk types of HPV.

At a glance

  • Genital warts are caused mainly by HPV types 6 and 11.
  • They are not dangerous and are not linked to cancer.
  • A clinician can usually diagnose them by looking.
  • Treatments include creams, freezing or other clinic procedures, and warts sometimes return.
  • The HPV vaccine protects against the types that cause most genital warts.

In detail

Genital warts are caused mainly by HPV types 6 and 11, which spread through skin-to-skin contact during sex. Warts can appear weeks to months after contact, and some people carry the virus without ever developing them.

They are not dangerous and are not linked to cancer, but they can be itchy or distressing. A clinician can usually diagnose them by looking, and treatments include creams, freezing or other clinic procedures. They sometimes return after treatment.

The HPV vaccine protects against the types that cause most genital warts, and rates have dropped sharply in countries with vaccination programmes.

In a sentence

  • The clinic offered freezing treatment for genital warts.
  • The leaflet explained that genital warts are caused by low-risk HPV types, not the ones linked to cancer.

Where the word comes from

Doctors also use the medical name "condylomata acuminata" for genital warts.

Not to be confused with

Common questions

Are genital warts cancer?

No. Genital warts are caused by low-risk HPV types that are not linked to cancer. They can still be itchy or upsetting, and a clinician can advise on treatment.

Can genital warts come back?

Yes, they sometimes return after treatment because the virus can remain in the skin. Some people carry the virus without ever developing warts. A sexual health clinic or doctor can advise on your own situation.

Related terms

Sources

  1. NHSGenital warts
  2. Planned ParenthoodGenital warts