Genital Warts

• Overview
• Causes and risk factors
• Signs and symptoms.
• Impact on quality of life.
• Treatment for genital warts.
• Prevention and lifestyle changes.

What are warts? ^2,3
Warts form when your skin is infected with one of the highly contagious viruses belonging to the human papillomavirus (HPV) family. This virus causes cell growth and thickening of the outer layer of the skin, forming a wart.

Genital warts, however, spread when an infected person’s skin touches someone else’s skin, usually during sexual contact. You have a 75% risk of contracting the virus and developing genital warts if you have sex with an HPV-infected person.

“Common” or “non-genital” warts occur most often on the hands: these aren’t the same as genital warts. While the HPV group causes both types of warts, the viral strains that cause each type are different and are transmitted differently. Common warts don’t cause genital warts and vice versa.

In rare cases, if you have oral sex with an infected person, warts may develop in your mouth or throat.

If you’re sexually active, you’re at risk of becoming infected with genital HPV. However, your risk is increased through: ^2,3,4

• Having unprotected sex
• Having multiple sexual partners
• Sharing sex toys
• Not knowing your partner’s sexual history
• Having had another STI
• Becoming sexually active at a younger age (mid-teens)
• Having a compromised immune system (e.g., people who have HIV/AIDS)

Can genital warts cause cancer? ^5,6
The type of HPV that causes genital warts is low-risk for more serious diseases like cancer. While certain other types of HPV can cause cancer (e.g., cervical cancer), the type of HPV that causes genital warts does not.

People sometimes refer to warts in the vagina or on the vulva as “vaginal warts”. In women, genital warts can also sometimes affect the cervix. In men, genital warts can affect the penis and scrotum. “Anal warts” are warts in the area around and in the anus.

Symptoms of genital HPV can occur from three weeks to years after infection, but usually occur within about two to three months.¹

Symptoms may include: ^2,4

• Visible warts in the anogenital area. These warts can be various shapes and sizes. They may appear as pink, brown or flesh-coloured swellings; as flat white patches; or as cauliflowershaped when several are in close proximity
• Itching or discomfort
• Warts in the mouth or throat. It’s important to note that HPV infection can stay in your body’s cells, and it’s possible to spread genital warts even if you have no signs of them.¹

People who suffer from this condition may find the condition embarrassing and the associated discomfort can interrupt daily activities and affect your general wellbeing – not to mention put you in awkward situations if you find yourself needing to scratch that itch in a public setting.
It’s helpful to remember that HPV is a very common STI that many people have to deal with: the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that almost all sexually active people will be infected with the genital HPV virus at some point.⁴
You might find it a little difficult to have conversations with sexual partners about HPV and other STIs,but keep in mind that managing the condition is vital in order to prevent its further spread.

Methods to avoid getting genital warts in the first place include^2,3,4:

• Vaccinations that protect against HPV infection: these also protect against the type of HPV which causes genital warts. Anyone aged 9 to 45 years old can receive this vaccine.
• Always using condoms during sex (although keep in mind this only covers a limited skin area).
• Refraining from sex during treatment for genital warts.
• Not sharing sex toys, washing them after use and using a new condom on them with each use.