Knowledge Centre
Providing rapid medical guidance and expert health insights for informational purposes. While our guides are written by Harley Street clinicians, they do not replace a professional consultation.
Genital Warts: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment
If you have noticed unusual growths in your genital area, you are probably worried. That is a normal reaction. But before you spend another hour searching for images online or convincing yourself of the worst, read this.
Genital warts are common, treatable, and in most cases do not lead to serious health problems. What you need is a proper diagnosis and, if confirmed, a treatment plan. Both are straightforward to arrange.
What Are Genital Warts?
Genital warts are small growths caused by certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), specifically types 6 and 11. These are classified as low-risk strains, meaning they do not cause cancer.
The warts themselves can appear as small flesh-coloured or greyish bumps. They may be flat or raised, single or clustered. Some people describe them as having a cauliflower-like texture. They can appear on the penis, vulva, scrotum, groin, around the anus, or internally on the cervix, vagina, or anal canal.
Many people with HPV never develop visible warts. And many who do find that the warts resolve on their own over time as the immune system clears the virus. However, treatment is usually recommended to reduce symptoms, lower the risk of transmission, and provide peace of mind.
How Are They Transmitted?
HPV spreads through skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It can also spread through genital contact without penetration. Condoms reduce but do not eliminate the risk, as the virus can be present on skin not covered by a condom.
Importantly, transmission can occur even when no warts are visible. This is why many people are unsure when or from whom they contracted the virus. If you have been diagnosed, there is no need to assume anything about your partner's fidelity or your own. HPV is extremely common, and most sexually active people will contract it at some point.
How Do I Know If I Have Genital Warts?
You may notice small bumps or growths in your genital area. Some people experience mild itching or discomfort. Occasionally there is light bleeding, particularly after intercourse.
However, many conditions can cause lumps or bumps in the genital area, and not all of them are warts. Skin tags, molluscum contagiosum, and normal anatomical variations can look similar to the untrained eye. Comparing your symptoms to images online is unreliable. The only way to know for certain is to be examined by a doctor.
Treatment Options
Topical & Clinical
- Topical treatments: Prescription creams or solutions applied directly to the warts over several weeks. Often used for smaller or fewer warts.
- Cryotherapy: Freezing the warts with liquid nitrogen. Done in-clinic, often requiring multiple sessions.
Surgical & Advanced
- Electrocautery: Burning the warts with an electrical current under local anaesthetic. Suitable for stubborn warts.
- Surgical removal: For extensive cases, warts can be surgically excised under local or general anaesthetic.
Frequently Asked Concerns
Should I be worried about cancer?
The strains of HPV that cause genital warts (types 6 and 11) are low-risk and do not cause cancer. High-risk strains (16 and 18) are responsible for cancers. Having genital warts does not mean you will develop cancer.
What about my partner?
It is reasonable to inform your current partner. However, many people clear the virus without symptoms. Using condoms reduces transmission but does not eliminate it entirely skin-to-skin contact is the primary route.
Vaccination
The HPV vaccine protects against the strains most commonly responsible for genital warts and cervical cancer. Vaccination does not treat existing infections but can protect against strains you have not yet encountered. Our clinic provides HPV vaccination for adults who missed the routine schedule.
When to See a Doctor
- ✓ New lumps or bumps in the genital area
- ✓ Changes to existing genital skin
- ✓ Itching, discomfort, or bleeding
- ✓ Symptoms noticed in a partner
Stop Searching. Get Seen.
We offer same-day and walk-in appointments for genital wart assessment at our Harley Street clinic, seven days a week.
Our sexual health screening packages start at £250.
Dr Mohammad Bakhtiar
Health Screening and Men's Health • GMC 4694470
"Leading our clinical team, Dr Bakhtiar has been seeing patients at Medical Express Clinic for over 20 years. Patients regularly praise his expertise in comprehensive health assessments, sexual health screening, diagnosis and treatment as well as his personable and compassionate approach to care."
View TeamCommon Questions
Q.How long does treatment take?
The duration depends on the method. Cryotherapy may require 3-4 sessions, while topical creams are applied over several weeks. Most patients see resolution within 1-3 months.
Q.Can warts come back?
Yes, the virus can remain in the skin even after visible warts are removed. Recurrence is most common in the first three months but becomes less likely as your immune system suppresses the virus.
Need Professional Advice?
While our Knowledge Centre provides expert insights, it does not replace a face-to-face consultation with a doctor.
