If you have genital warts for the first time in your life and you don't know anything about them, why they appeared and how to get rid of them faster, we know that you are most likely afraid or terrified. So we start by telling you this: take it easy.

There is no need to panic or be afraid. Genital warts, apart from the fact that they look unpleasant and can cause you a certain degree of discomfort, in most cases do not represent an immediate danger to your health. And we also have good news: they can be completely treated so that they disappear completely! The virus that caused it may remain in the body, but there is a possibility that even this will disappear within 2 years.

And now that we've given you the good news, let's take things one step at a time and clear everything up. Find out what they are, why they appear and how to treat genital warts.

What are genital warts?

Genital warts are a sexually transmitted disease, and are actually small formations of the type of pimples/bumps that we call warts or condylomas.

They appear in the genital and rectal area (at the level of moist tissues in the genital region). In women, they are located on the vulva, outside or inside the vaginal opening and anus, and can even extend to the cervix. In men, they can appear on the thighs, groin, scrotum, penis, and around or inside the anus. If the sexual contact also included oral sex, it is possible that the infection will also spread to the lips, tongue, oral mucosa and larynx.

As a rule, you can recognize them by their appearance:

• They are usually small, fleshy or hard bumps on the surface of the skin.
• They can look like skin-colored or reddish-gray pigmented pimples.
• Warts can be single or grouped.
• The appearance of clustered outgrowths is cauliflower-like (called conopidiform).
• Their texture may be smooth or they may feel like slight bumps.
• They may also be invisible due to their smooth appearance and skin color.

Who might have genital warts

Genital warts are the result of infection with a sexually transmitted virus, and are easily transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. So any sexually active person, regardless of gender, age or medical history, is at risk of contracting the virus that causes genital warts if their partner is infected. (It is possible that the partner does not have genital warts, and still be a carrier of the virus and pass it on).

Therefore, the only way to protect yourself against transmission to and from your partner is to use a condom.

How common are genital warts

Surprisingly or not, statistics confirm that genital warts are the most common sexually transmitted infection. So it's a more common problem than you might expect.

However, it is good to know the risk factors, namely that:

• Men are slightly more prone to genital warts.
• The risk of infection increases significantly if you do not use a condom or dental dam.
• The risk also increases if you have several sexual partners or change them often.

Causes of genital warts

The statistics also show us what is the main cause of the appearance of genital warts: in 90% of cases, they are based on infection with certain types of HPV (human papillomavirus. Among the more than 30 strains of human papillomavirus that can cause problems in the genital area , HPV strains 6 and 11 are what cause warts.

The good news is that these types of HPV do not lead to cancer (if you want to learn more about human papillomavirus, I have prepared a separate blog post for you on HPV infection and everything you need to know about the vaccine and treatment ), and the condition general health is not threatened just because these growths appear. Conversely, in people with a strong immune system, warts may disappear on their own after 6 months even without treatment. However, a visit to the doctor is recommended - but we get there right away.

So if you think about how and why genital warts appear, some of the potential causes can be:

• Unprotected oral sex with a person infected with the HPV virus or who has genital warts, either in the intimate area or in the mouth (tongue, lips, mouth).
• Touching the genitals of both partners, even without ejaculation.
• Unprotected sexual contact, including anal and same-sex intercourse.

Symptoms for genital warts

Genital warts are not always painful, and sometimes there are no other symptoms except the unsightly appearance. Other times, they are accompanied by a burning sensation or pain. Below are the most common symptoms by which you can recognize them:

• Small pink, red, brown or gray-white fleshy bumps in the genital area.
• Smooth or cauliflower-like appearance if the warts are clustered.
• Stinging, itching, burning, pain and discomfort in the intimate area.
• Light bleeding during or after intercourse.

How contagious are genital warts?

Both genital warts and the HPV virus in general are highly contagious sexually transmitted diseases. They can be transmitted very easily from an infected partner, even after a single unprotected contact.

And once you contact the human papilloma virus, it does not always disappear from the body. Visible genital warts may disappear, but even if they never appear again, you can always remain infected and can always pass the virus on to a new partner.

How soon do genital warts appear after infection

They do not appear immediately after sexual contact. There are cases when genital warts become visible just a few weeks after being infected with HPV, but it can take even months or years. So it's quite difficult to estimate exactly how quickly genital warts appear - it depends on each person, including how healthy the immune system is.

Also, it is possible to never develop genital warts, but only to be infected with the HPV virus and pass it on to other partners. Or there is still the possibility that they are located inside the vagina or anus and you have no idea of their existence or the infection, so that you are a carrier and transmit the virus without knowing it.

Periodic gynecological consultation is important, where visible signs can be observed and treatment can be recommended if necessary.

Risk factors for genital warts

In principle, we have already listed the main risk factors above, and unprotected sexual contact is the most widespread method by which sexually active people can become infected with genital warts. Consequently, among the factors that increase the risk of infection we find:

• Unprotected sex with multiple partners or with a new partner
• Sexual contact with a partner without knowing their sexual health status
• Starting sex life at an early age
• The fact that you have had other sexually transmitted diseases in the past
• A weakened immune system, such as if you have HIV

Genital warts: When you should see a doctor

Go to the doctor as soon as possible, as soon as you notice the appearance of genital warts or any unusual change in the intimate area that may indicate you are infected with a sexually transmitted disease.

The same applies to your partner, go to the doctor as soon as possible and if he is in this situation. When your sexual partner is infected with the HPV virus, the chances are very high that you will also have it.

How do we diagnose genital warts?

There are other sexually transmitted infections or even moles that can look very similar to genital warts, so don't try to self-diagnose as you may get it wrong. The gynecologist is the one who makes the diagnosis, which is very important to choose the right treatment.

So here is how they are identified:

• In the case of external warts, the diagnosis is made after the doctor examines the visible signs on the skin. In some cases, a biopsy can also be performed to confirm that it is genital warts.
• In the case of internal warts, a vaginal and anal examination will be done for confirmation. At the vaginal level, the Pap test allows the analysis of changes caused by warts at the level of the cervix, and colposcopy (examination of the vulva, vagina, neck and lower part of the uterus with the help of an endoscope) allows the examination of the cervix and vagina. At the anal level, the doctor can use a rectal speculum (anoscope) to examine the warts inside the anus.

Treatment for genital warts

When the immune system is very healthy, it can fight the virus and small genital warts can even disappear on their own within 6 months.

However, in the case of larger or multiple warts, they can become very uncomfortable and even painful. So although no treatment can guarantee a cure for the HPV virus, it is important to treat and remove genital warts in order to reduce the risk of their spread.

There are several treatment options for genital warts, including:

• Creams, gels or ointments that may cause irritation, burning or pain.
• Cryotherapy (cold therapy), by applying liquid nitrogen with a special device, which freezes and destroys warts by exposing them to very low temperatures.
• Electrocautery, which burns and destroys warts with a pulse of electric current.
• Laser treatments, which use laser light to destroy the small blood vessels in the warts, thereby cutting off their blood supply and eliminating them.
• Surgical intervention, which removes by cutting warts that are large in size and cannot be removed by any other treatment method.

Here are some good things to know and keep in mind when it comes to genital warts treatments:

• It is good to avoid unprotected sex during treatment to avoid transmission to your partner (or at least use a condom).
• The treatment does not cure you of HPV, it only works on the genital warts.
• You have to be patient: it may take a few weeks or even a few months for the warts to disappear completely, but eventually you will get rid of them.
• Sometimes treatments don't work and surgery is needed.
• Even if you get rid of the warts, it is possible for them to reappear.
• If you are pregnant or want to stay, tell your doctor about this to choose a compatible treatment method (some are not suitable if you are going to become a mother).
• Some creams or gels can thin the condom or diaphragm, so talk to your doctor if you're using these birth control methods to get the best advice.

How to treat genital warts at home

You don't do it. The right treatment for genital warts is done only after the correct diagnosis, and this in turn is given only by the specialist doctor.

The gynecologist is the one who recommends the right treatment for you, and all you have to do at home is to follow his advice and recommendations. What you can do is:

• Avoid unprotected sex during and after treatment.
• Apply the cream, gel, ointment or use another treatment method exactly as the doctor advised you.
• Take care of intimate hygiene and use only water and a natural intimate gel to keep your vulva and vagina clean without unbalancing the bacterial flora.
• Do not apply "heard-of" substances or treatments that can cause injury and increase discomfort.
• You don't treat genital warts with normal drugstore wart patches because they are two different conditions and wart patches are not meant to be used on the genital area.

How to prevent genital warts

For sexually active people, here's what you can do to prevent both contact with the HPV virus and the appearance of genital warts if you're not infected, and transmission to your partner if you are:

• Always use a condom every time you have sex.
• Always use a dental dam if you give or receive oral sex.
• Make regular visits to your gynecologist to detect and treat any type of sexually transmitted infection early.
• Make sure you know your partner's medical history as well as possible and that you are properly informed about their sexual health (if they have any sexually transmitted diseases).
• For your part, be honest and transparent with your partner and tell them if you have this infection, so that they can protect themselves, monitor their health through regular medical consultations and get timely treatment if they do get infected.
• Avoid vaginal douches.
• Get vaccinated against the HPV virus.

Is there a vaccine for genital warts?

Yes, you can get a vaccine that helps prevent genital warts. It is recommended for all people up to the age of 45 to protect themselves from this sexually transmitted disease.

There are over 100 types of HPV, of which over 30 can cause genital problems. Fortunately, there is also a vaccine that can protect you from certain strains of human papillomavirus, including those that can cause cancer or genital warts. Even if the HPV infection already exists in your body, the vaccine can protect your health by preventing more serious complications.

Questions and answers about genital warts

If you have any other questions related to genital warts, here is the section where we hope you will find the answers you are looking for. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about genital warts.

How long do genital warts last?

If you have a strong immune system, genital warts may go away on their own within a few months (up to 6 months), even without any other treatment. Or they can remain on the body until an effective treatment is administered. Creams and topical treatments may take a few weeks to work, while surgery can remove warts immediately.

Once genital warts are gone, can they reappear?

Yes. Once you are infected with the HPV virus, it remains in the body even after the genital warts completely disappear, which is why new warts can develop in the genital area.

What complications can occur with genital warts?

Genital warts may disappear on their own without any further complications, or they may become painful due to their large size. But there aren't many complications: HPV strains that cause genital warts (6 and 11) have a low risk of cervical cancer.

Instead, complications can occur with other HPV strains, often responsible for vulvar, penile, anal or esophageal cancer. For example, strains 16 and 18 are associated with many cases of cervical cancer, so vaccinating against human papillomavirus and using barrier protection methods with every sexual contact are crucial to avoid any kind of complication.

Do genital warts lead to cancer?

No, genital warts are usually not cancerous and do not lead to cancer. The risk of cervical cancer is very low for HPV strains 6 and 11, which are the ones that cause vaginal or anal warts.

How do genital warts affect pregnancy?

Normally, genital warts do not affect pregnancy in any way. They can cause itching, burning, pain or discomfort, but they cannot harm the fetus. (Only in very rare cases can they be passed from mother to baby during birth.)

Instead, it is pregnancy that can affect genital warts. Due to significant hormonal fluctuations, it is possible that the immune system weakens, and they grow at a faster pace or to larger sizes, which can later have consequences such as discomfort or stinging when urinating.