Genital warts, also called venereal warts, are found in the genital area of the body. This virus is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and is contagious. It is estimated that 1% of sexually active people between the ages of 18 and 45 have genital warts. Studies have shown that as many as 40% of sexually active adults carry the human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes genital warts. Symptoms may include bleeding, pain, and odor as well as visible warts. The incubation period varies from one to six months.
Genital warts vary in appearance. They may be flat or they may have a cauliflower-like appearance. They begin as small red or pink growths and grow as large as four inches across. In women, they occur on the moist tissues of the vagina and cervix. In men, they develop in the urethra and on the shaft of the penis. Warts may then spread from there to the area behind the genitals and the anal area.
The only reliable method of prevention is sexual abstinence. The use of condoms minimizes but does not eliminate the risk of HPV transmission. Those who become infected with this type of wart should immediately notify those with whom they have had sexual contact so they can seek medical examination and treatment.
It is best to consult your doctor regarding this type of wart. Medical professionals use cryosurgery, formal surgical treatment, and topical treatments. Contact a doctor to find out what works best for you.
Genital warts are benign growths and are not cancerous by themselves. Repeated HPV infection in women, however, appears to increase the risk of later cervical cancer. Women infected with HPV types 16 and 18 should have yearly cervical smears. Recurrence is common with all present methods of treatment because HPV can remain latent in the normal-appearing surrounding skin.
Genital warts are known scientifically as condylomata acuminata. They are caused by HPV types 1, 2, 6, 11, 16, and 18.
For more information on genital warts see the following:
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We do not provide medical advice. This website only provides general information about warts and products associated with their removal. Our information is not medical advice and should not be treated as such. Please see our Medical Information Disclaimer for more information.