Genital Warts Symptoms, Treatments and More

By shirley

Reviewed: dr. stavarache

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. 'Genital Warts: HPV, STD, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment.' Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4209-genital-warts
• 2. Leslie, Stephen W. 'Genital Warts.' StatPearls /[Internet/]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 14 Feb. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441884
• 3. 'Quick Facts: Genital Warts.' Merck Manuals Consumer Version, Merck Manuals, www.merckmanuals.com/home/quick-facts-infections/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds/genital-warts
• 4. 'Genital Warts.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 20 Nov. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/genital-warts/symptoms-causes/syc-20355234
• 5. 'Genital Warts.' Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 20 Nov. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/genital-warts/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355240
• 6. 'Genital Warts.' Office on Women's Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 11 June 2019, [www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/genital-warts.](http://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/genital-warts.)
• 7. 'Genital Warts Symptoms and Treatments.' Symptoms & Treatments - Illnesses & Conditions | NHS Inform, www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/sexual-and-reproductive/genital-warts

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Genital warts are small growths that appear in the genital area. The sexually transmitted infection is caused by the human papillomavirus, or HPV. Over 100 types of HPV viruses have been identified, but only two, HPV types 6 and 11, cause genital warts.

Approximately 400,000 young adults develop genital warts each year. By age 50, eight out of every 10 women have experienced at least one genital warts infection. While medical treatments are available for genital warts, they don't eliminate the HPV virus. This means genital warts may recur, and an infected person may continue to transmit the virus to others.¹‘Genital Warts: HPV, STD, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment.’ Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4209-genital-warts^,2Leslie, Stephen W. ‘Genital Warts.’ StatPearls /[Internet/]., U.S. National Library of Medicine, 14 Feb. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441884^,3‘Quick Facts: Genital Warts.’ Merck Manuals Consumer Version, Merck Manuals, www.merckmanuals.com/home/quick-facts-infections/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds/genital-warts

Symptoms of Genital Warts

Genital warts are small pink, gray or flesh-colored raised areas that appear in the groin, around and inside the anus, on the penis and scrotum of males and on the vaginal lips, vulva, vagina and cervix of females. They may also develop in the mouth, lips, tongue or throat. Some genital warts are flat, while others have a bumpy, irregular, cauliflower-like appearance. In rare cases, warts may combine to form large clusters.

Although genital warts usually don't hurt, they sometimes cause discomfort, itching or burning. Light bleeding may also occur, especially upon intercourse.¹‘Genital Warts: HPV, STD, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment.’ Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4209-genital-warts^,3‘Quick Facts: Genital Warts.’ Merck Manuals Consumer Version, Merck Manuals, www.merckmanuals.com/home/quick-facts-infections/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds/genital-warts^,4‘Genital Warts.’ Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 20 Nov. 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/genital-warts/symptoms-causes/syc-20355234