Genital Warts: What You Need To Know

Genital warts are caused by and infection with human papillomavirus.  It is estimated that 20 million people in the United States have this viral infection, and 6.3 million are infected every year.  Almost 20% of Americans age 15-50 have HPV infection and are contagious.  The vast majority of these people have no visible warts and have no idea that they are infected by the disease.  Many young women can contact genital warts within 3 months of becoming sexually active. 

HPV infected tissue often appears normal, but it may also look like a small bump to a large wart growth.  Warts that are not treated properly can grow together to form a cauliflower looking mass of wounds.  In males, they appear on the penis and often involve the urethra, appearing at the opening and spreading inside.  The growths may cause irritation and bleeding, which leads to painful urination and discharge.  Warts can also appear around the anus and within the rectum.  In women, warts may appear in the labia or vulva and may spread to the perineum.  If warts occur only on the cervix, the woman will generally have no symptoms or awareness that she is infected. 

The incubation period ranges from 1 month to 2 years from the time of contact.  People can be infected with the virus and be capable of transmitting it to their sex partners without showing any symptoms.  The vast majority of people with HPV infection have no visible warts or symptoms of any kind.

Genital warts are usually diagnosed based on the appearance of the lesions. Frequently, HPV infection of the cervix is detected on routine wart treatment tests. Treatments for genital warts focuses on reducing the number and size of the warts. There are several home treatments that can be purchased to help treat the warts, and decrease the chances of break outs. More serious warts can be removed using freezing and burning the warts off of the body.

HPV infection often resolves on its own after a number of months, although this is unpredictable. Even after treatment and the disappearance of visible warts, the individual may continue to carry HPV in healthy-looking tissue and can still infect other partners. All partners should be informed if you have ever had an HPV outbreak. Condoms should be used, even though they do not provide 100% protection. Because of the relationship between HPV and cervical cancer, women who have had genital warts should have tests done at least once a year. The good news about HPV is that researchers are making significant progress on a vaccine that could prevent cases of HPV infections and cancer.