Genital Warts
Genital warts are small fleshy growths which may appear anywhere on a man or woman’s genital area. They are caused by a virus called human papilloma virus (HPV).
There are more than 60 different types of HPV. Some types cause warts to grow on the genitals, others cause warts to grow on different parts of the body, such as the hands.
Signs and symptoms
After you have been infected with the genital wart virus it usually takes between 1 and 3 months for warts to appear on your genitals.
You or your partner may notice pinkish/white small lumps or larger cauliflower-shaped lumps on the genital area. Warts can appear around the vulva, the penis, the scrotum or the anus. They may occur singly or in groups. They may itch, but are usually painless. Often there are no other symptoms, and the warts may be difficult to see. In women genital warts can develop inside the vagina and on the cervix. If a woman has warts on her cervix, this may cause slight bleeding or, very rarely, an unusual coloured vaginal discharge.
Not everyone who comes into contact with the virus will develop warts.
How genital warts are passed on
Genital warts are spread through skin-to-skin contact. If you have sex or genital contact with someone who has genital warts you may develop them too.
They can be passed on during vaginal or anal sex.
(It is possible for warts to spread to the area around the anus without having anal sex.)
Where to go for help
* Your local NHS sexual health (GUM) clinic.
You can find details of your nearest NHS sexual health clinic in the phone book under genito-urinary medicine (GUM), sexually transmitted diseases (STD) or venereal diseases (VD). Or phone your local hospital and ask for the ’special’ or GUM clinic.
You will get free, confidential advice and treatment. You can go to any clinic anywhere in the country - you don’t have to go to a local one - and you don’t have to be referred by your GP. (Non-NHS sexual health clinics may not always offer the full range of services which are available at NHS sexual health clinics.)
* Your own GP.
* If you are in the UK, go to www.playingsafely.co.uk to find details of STD clinics.