Genital Warts Symptoms & Treatment in Men & Women

Medically reviewed by:

Dr Sarah Marshall - Medical Officer

Updated: Aug 18, 2021

Next review: Aug 18, 2022

Genital warts are the second most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK. While they're not dangerous, they're often highly visible. For this reason, most people are keen to get rid of them.

Our doctors can diagnose genital warts online and provide the treatment you need from the comfort and privacy of your own home.

Genital warts are the second most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the UK, after chlamydia.

Unlike other STIs, they don’t pose a threat to your health or fertility. However, because they’re often visible, most people want to find a way to get rid of them.

Our doctors can provide discreet, confidential advice in the comfort of your own home, to help you deal with genital warts as quickly as possible.

Genital warts are small, fleshy lumps of skin that can occur in the following areas:

Anywhere on the penis, scrotum, vulva or cervix
Inside the vagina or urethra
Inside or around the anus
On the upper thigh

While they’re usually painless, if the warts found inside your urethra or anus, they can cause a blockage that may lead to bleeding.

There are a number of treatments available for genital warts. It’s worth discussing this with a doctor beforehand, to make sure you choose the most effective option. This will depend on how many warts you have and where they’re located. Treatments include:

Creams
Liquids
Cryotherapy (freezing the warts so that they drop off)

Our doctors can offer the prescription or specialist referral you need. If you’re using a cream or liquid, remember that may products will only work on warts in other areas of your body, which are caused by a different virus.

You should avoid sexual contact if you’re undergoing treatment for genital warts, as this can pass the virus to others and increase your recovery time.

Most people who are infected with HPV will only experience one bout of genital warts. However, if they reappear at a later date, you can see a doctor to try a different form of treatment.

Genital warts are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). They’re passed on through unprotected genital contact, which means you don’t have to have penetrative sex become infected.

While wearing a condom will protect you against most STIs, unfortunately this may not work with genital warts. This is because condoms don’t cover all the areas that can be affected by HPV.

Not everyone with HPV has visible warts and they may not appear for months or even years after infection. Despite this, you can still pass the virus on before or after warts appear.

Genital Warts Treatment Online

Dr Sarah Marshall - Medical Officer

Genital Warts Treatment Online

What Are Genital Warts?

Symptoms of Genital Warts

Treatment Options

What Causes Genital Warts?