Genital warts: symptoms, treatment and how they are passed on

The NHS says treatment for genital warts is not always needed, because they sometimes disappear on their own within 6 months. If treatment is recommended it will need to be prescribed by a doctor, and the type depends on what the warts look like and where they are. The NHS says to avoid wart treatments from a pharmacy because they are not made for genital warts.

It may take weeks or months for treatment to work, the warts may come back, and sometimes treatment does not work. The NHS says to tell the doctor or nurse if you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, as some treatments will not be suitable. Some creams can weaken condoms and vaginal diaphragms.

The NHS says genital warts are usually small, rough lumps on the skin. They can appear around the vagina and on the penis, around the anus, and on the skin between the genitals and anus. They may appear on their own or in a group, and groups can look like a cauliflower. They may feel soft or firm and be white, red, skin-coloured or darker than the surrounding skin.

Genital warts do not usually cause symptoms, but sometimes they may be painful, itchy or bleed. You may also have pain or discomfort during sex, or problems peeing, such as blood in your pee, finding it hard to pee, or stopping and starting a lot.

The NHS says to go to a sexual health clinic if you have one or more painless lumps or growths around your vagina, penis or anus, itching or bleeding from your genitals or anus, a change to your normal flow of pee that does not go away, or a sexual partner who has genital warts, even if you do not know whether you have them.

A GP will probably refer you to a sexual health clinic if they think you might have genital warts. The NHS says clinics specialise in genital and urinary problems, often get test results quicker than GP surgeries, and many offer a walk-in service without an appointment.

The NHS says a doctor or nurse at a sexual health clinic will usually be able to diagnose genital warts by looking at them. They may ask about your symptoms and sexual partners, look at the lumps around your genitals and anus (sometimes using a magnifying lens), and possibly need to look inside the vagina, anus or urethra depending on where the warts are.

It may not be possible to find out who you got genital warts from, or how long you have had the infection.

Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). The NHS says the virus can be passed on even when there are no visible warts, and that many people with the virus do not have symptoms but can still pass it on. After you get the infection it can take weeks to many months before symptoms appear.

You can get genital warts from skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal and anal sex, from sharing sex toys, and, rarely, from oral sex. The NHS says the virus can also be passed to a baby from its mother during birth, but this is rare. You cannot get genital warts from kissing or from sharing towels, cutlery, cups or toilet seats.

If you have genital warts, the NHS says your current sexual partners should consider getting checked, because they may have warts and not know it.

The NHS says you can reduce the chance of passing on genital warts by using a condom every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex, although the virus can still be passed on from skin the condom does not cover; by not having sex while you are having treatment; and by not sharing sex toys, or washing them or covering them with a new condom before anyone else uses them.

The HPV vaccine offered to 12 to 13 year-old girls and boys in England protects against genital warts and some cancers, such as cervical cancer and anal cancer. The NHS says it is also offered to men up to and including 45 years old who have sex with men, some trans men and trans women, sex workers and people living with HIV.

The NHS says genital warts are not usually harmful during pregnancy, but you will usually be referred to a sexual health specialist. During pregnancy, warts may multiply and get bigger (and may be removed if they are very big), become more easily irritated, or, rarely, be passed on to the baby during birth, which can cause infection in the baby's throat or genitals.

Most creams, liquids and ointments are not recommended during pregnancy. The NHS says genital warts often disappear on their own within 6 weeks after the baby is born, so treatment is often delayed until after the birth.

The NHS lists a few practical points to follow while you are being treated:

• Follow the instructions about applying creams, liquids and ointments carefully, as some should only be left on for a certain time before washing off.

• Avoid getting treatment on normal skin or in open wounds.

• Do not smoke, because many treatments work better if you do not smoke.

• Do not have vaginal, anal or oral sex until the warts have gone, but if you do have sex, always use a condom.

Sexual health clinics provide NHS testing and treatment, and the NHS says you do not have to pay a prescription charge for medicines prescribed by a sexual health clinic. A GP can also refer you.

Private sexual health services also diagnose and treat genital warts. If you use one, it can help to check that you will be told about partner notification and follow-up, and to let your GP know if you wish.