What Is a
Genital Wart? How Is It Treated?

What Is a Genital Wart?

HPV is a term formed from the initials of the words Human Papillomavirus. The HPV virus causes infection in the skin and leads to warts. It causes dry, white-grey bumps that appear on the body or in the genital area.

In medical terminology, the genital wart is known as condyloma, papilloma and condyloma acuminata. Among the public, genital warts are also known as groin warts.

Nearly 300 HPV types have been identified to date. About 40 of these 300 types tend to cause infection in the genital area. The remaining types appear on the body as hand warts, foot warts and warts on the skin.

The HPV virus and genital warts infect millions of people worldwide every year and continue to be a serious public health problem.

For detailed information on HPV and laser genital wart removal and to book an appointment, you can reach us at +355 69 362 08 38 and +355 69 836 15 65.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

How Are Genital Warts Transmitted?

HPV-related warts are very common worldwide and are transmitted mostly through sexual contact and rarely through non-sexual routes.

During close contact with a person carrying the HPV virus, the virus enters the body especially through irritated skin. For this reason the virus tends to be transmitted from areas exposed to more friction and small abrasions during intercourse. In women these areas are the region between the vaginal opening and the anus, and in men the glans of the penis, the foreskin and the base of the penis.

Another very important issue is hair-removal methods such as razors, waxing and depilatory creams performed right before intercourse. These methods irritate the skin and create a suitable environment for the HPV virus to enter the body.

In recent years it has been found that transmission can also occur through non-sexual routes. We know that HPV can be transmitted through gynecological examination, transvaginal ultrasonography and shared waxing materials.

Another route of transmission is what we call vertical transmission, the passage from mother to baby. If HPV is transmitted from mother to baby, symptoms do not appear immediately in the baby. Over the years it may emerge as congenital papillomatosis in the form of lesions in the throat.

Regarding the transmission of genital warts, we also recommend reading our pages Can HPV Spread From Toilets?, Can HPV Spread From Pools or Baths? and Can HPV Spread Through Oral Sex?

What Does a Genital Wart Look Like?

The HPV virus settles in skin cells, disrupts the DNA structure of these cells and as a result causes raised, cauliflower-like warts on the skin. Genital warts usually appear 3-4 months after the HPV virus enters the body. The incubation period of the HPV virus ranges from 2 weeks to 2 years.

On mucosal surfaces (such as the vagina and its surroundings, or inside the urethra of the penis), genital warts may also appear as glove-finger-shaped warts of a color similar to the surrounding tissue. In some cases the warts develop slowly as ulcerative, cauliflower-like lesions and may spread to the surrounding tissue.

Genital warts are usually painless, cause itching and bleed if they are torn off or cut with a razor. They may tend to multiply, but sometimes they can stay the same size for years. Depending on their effect on the color pigments of the area, they may be white or red. These slow-growing lesions are usually dark in color and can sometimes be stalked.

How genital warts will progress varies depending on the person's immune response and the type of the virus. High-risk HPV types can cause genital warts, but an HPV infection may also develop without any warts. The HPV virus can settle in the cervical cells and remain hidden without giving symptoms, and over many years it can lead to cervical cancer.

Genital warts can sometimes be confused with molluscum contagiosum and skin tags. With an HPV DNA test, it can easily be determined whether a lesion is a genital wart.

Diagnostic Methods for Genital Warts

Although diagnosing a genital wart is usually easy, it can sometimes be confused with a nevus and molluscum contagiosum. To make this distinction, an HPV test or a biopsy is needed.

Smear Test

Although a smear test does not detect HPV directly, it can give us information about the presence of HPV through indirect findings. For detailed information about the smear test, you can review our Smear Test page.

HPV Test

The HPV test is the most important test to be performed for diagnosing HPV. HPV DNA is detected using the PCR method. In women, a swab from the vagina and a sample taken from the wart are sent to the laboratory, and the result is ready within 12-13 days.

In men, if there is a wart, a sample is taken from the wart; if not, a sample is taken from the groin area, the testicles and the penis with the help of a brush and sent to the laboratory, and the result is obtained within 12-13 days.

Colposcopy

Colposcopy is a diagnostic method we apply if we detect high-risk HPV. With colposcopy, the cervix is examined with the help of a microscope and, if necessary, a biopsy is taken from the cervix. For detailed information about colposcopy, you can review our Colposcopy page.

Biopsy

By having a sample taken from the suspicious lesion examined by a pathologist, it can be determined whether the lesion is a wart.

Electrocauterization

Warts can be burned off using an electric current. It is a very commonly used method. There may be severe pain after the procedure. There is a risk of scarring after the procedure.

Cryotherapy

Using liquid nitrogen, the warts are frozen and destroyed by the cold-burn method. It usually requires repeated sessions. The recurrence rate is higher than with other treatments. It cannot be used in areas such as inside the anus and the vagina.

Genital Wart Cream

Genital warts can be treated with some prescription immunomodulator creams. However, warts in the anus and very widespread, large warts are not treated with creams.

There are many over-the-counter creams and herbal products on the market. These products can cause loss of time and progression of the disease.

Surgical Treatment

Very large warts that cannot be treated with other methods can be removed surgically. After removal, stitches may need to be placed in the skin.

Treatment of HPV / Genital Warts in Men

Wart treatment in men is no different from that in women. Methods such as electrocauterization, cryotherapy, laser, surgical treatment and cream treatment are applied.

At our SAGA Clinic we perform laser wart treatment for male patients. We administer the HPV vaccine at our center and we also explain to our male patients the measures needed to clear the HPV infection from the body. For more detailed information about HPV infection in men, you can review our HPV in Men page.

What Is HPV Treatment? What Is Wart Treatment? What Is the Difference?

We call the skin infection caused by the HPV virus an HPV infection. The wart, on the other hand, is the symptom of the HPV infection. In other words, while the symptoms of a flu infection are coughing and high fever, the symptom of an HPV infection is warts.

Therefore;

• The aim in treating warts is to destroy the warts.
• Destroying the warts is not the same as treating the HPV infection.
• HPV infection is a long-term infection.
• To clear the HPV infection from the body, things other than removing the warts also need to be done.

These are;

• Not smoking,
• Not using skin-irritating hair-removal methods such as depilatory creams, waxing and razors,
• Having the HPV vaccine administered,
• Using a condom to eliminate the ping-pong effect,
• Promptly destroying every wart that appears.

Ways of Protection

The first measure to take to protect against HPV infection is having the HPV vaccine. Apart from this, we recommend monogamous and safe sexuality.

It should be kept in mind that HPV infection can be transmitted even if a condom is used. You should know that during an 8-month relationship with a partner who has the HPV virus, the probability of HPV transmission is 80%.

Frequently Asked Questions About Genital Warts

How Are Warts in the Genital Area Removed?

We prefer the laser method to remove warts in the genital area. Besides the laser method, electrocauterization, cryotherapy (freezing), radiofrequency and some immunomodulator medications can be used.

What Happens If a Genital Wart Is Not Treated?

If a genital wart is not treated, it may rarely disappear on its own. In people who use razors and depilatory creams, genital warts can multiply excessively and you may face situations that are very difficult to treat.

Should You Have Intercourse While You Have Genital Warts?

Having intercourse while you have genital warts is not advisable. The chance of transmitting the virus to your partner is much higher than when there are no warts.

Can a Genital Wart Occur Inside the Vagina?

A genital wart can occur inside the vagina. However, it can only be detected with a gynecological examination. It is possible to remove with laser the warts we detect inside the vagina.

There Is Something Like a Skin Tag in My Genital Area

Genital warts appear as raised, cauliflower-shaped lesions on the skin without any inflammation inside. They are most often confused with moles.

If there is a mole-like formation in the genital area, the probability that this lesion is a genital wart is much higher than the probability that it is a mole. For this reason, consult a doctor who is an expert in HPV for every suspicious lesion.

Is Every Wart HPV?

Every wart is HPV, but not every lesion that resembles a wart may be HPV. Moles and molluscum contagiosum lesions can be confused with warts. In this case we can make a differential diagnosis by performing an HPV test or a biopsy.

Can a Genital Wart Be Cauliflower-Shaped?

Genital warts are mostly cauliflower-shaped. However, this is not a rule. In some cases they may also resemble moles and a hollow pimple (papule).

The Cause of Genital Warts in Men

The cause of genital warts in men is HPV virus infection. Warts are the symptom of HPV infection.

At our SAGA Clinic in Tirana, both female and male patients receive Laser Wart Treatment, Genital Wart Treatment and treatments for clearing the HPV infection from the body. We are by your side on the path to getting rid of HPV.