Genital Warts: Taking Care of Yourself

Genital warts are caused by HPV (short for human papillomavirus). The virus spreads through sex or close sexual contact with an infected person. Treatments can reduce the number of warts or help them go away faster. But even if warts go away, HPV might still be in the body. That means the virus can spread to other people. HPV goes away in most people within about 2 years.

Treatment

• Use any prescribed medicine exactly as directed.

• If uncomfortable, you might want to:

  • Place a bag of ice wrapped in a towel on the sore area for 5–10 minutes every few hours. Do not apply ice directly to the skin.

  • Sit in a small amount of cool or lukewarm water without soap or bubble bath. Use a bathtub or a small tub called a sitz bath (available at drugstores).

  • Wear cotton underwear and avoid tight or irritating clothes.

  • Take acetaminophen (such as Tylenol® or a store brand) OR ibuprofen (such as Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand) if the health care provider says it's OK.

Follow up

• HPV can spread to partners during sex, even if you have no warts. Before having sex, you need to tell all partners about having HPV.

• To lower the chances of spreading genital warts, use a condom every time you have sex (vaginal, oral, or anal).

• Follow the health care provider's instructions about getting tested for other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

• Get all doses of the HPV vaccine (shot), if you haven't already. Even though you have one type of HPV infection, the HPV vaccine can protect against other types of HPV.

• You have warts that are bleeding or very painful.

• You have warts that look infected; signs include redness, swelling, or pus.

• You have signs of a new STI (abnormal discharge, belly pain, or pain when peeing).

• You can't pee.

How are genital warts spread? The HPV that causes genital warts usually spreads through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. It also can spread by touching the genital area of someone who is infected with HPV. After a person is infected, warts may show up within weeks or years. But not everyone with HPV gets warts. Even without warts, an infected person can spread the virus to others.

Condoms can't always prevent the virus from spreading because they don't cover all areas where HPV can live.

When am I no longer contagious? It's hard to know exactly when someone with HPV is no longer contagious. Usually, the HPV is gone from the body within 2 years of getting infected. In some people, the virus stays longer.

Do genital warts increase the risk of cancer? The type of HPV that causes genital warts usually does not lead to cancer. But other types of HPV do increase the risk of cancer, so it's very important to get all doses of the HPV vaccine.

What is the treatment for genital warts?

Treatment may include:

• medicines put on the warts

• using lasers, cold, or heat on the warts

• surgery

Sometimes, warts come back after treatment.

How can I avoid getting another STI? The best way to avoid an STI is not to have sex (vaginal, oral, or anal). To lower the chances of another infection if you do have sex:

• Use a condom every time you have sex (vaginal, oral, or anal).

• Have only one partner who has been tested and does not have an STI. That partner should not have sex with other people.