Genital warts

Genital warts are small, fleshy bumps that appear on or around the genitals or anus. They're caused by certain strains of HPV (human papillomavirus) — the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. They're treatable, but the virus that causes them stays in the body. The HPV vaccine protects against the strains that cause most genital warts.

• Genital warts are caused by HPV, usually strains 6 and 11.
• They're passed on through skin-to-skin sexual contact — not just penetrative sex.
• They're treatable (the warts can be removed), but the virus stays in your body and warts can come back.
• The HPV vaccine given in UK schools protects against the strains that cause about 90% of genital warts. [CHECK: current vaccine strain coverage]
• Condoms reduce the risk but don't fully prevent transmission because HPV spreads through skin contact.

What they look like

Genital warts can appear as small, flesh-coloured or slightly darker bumps on the skin. They might be smooth and flat, or raised with a rough, bumpy texture (sometimes described as looking a bit like a cauliflower). They can appear singly or in clusters, and they range from barely noticeable to quite visible. They usually don't hurt, though they can sometimes itch.

They can show up on the vulva, penis, scrotum, around the anus, on the upper thighs, and occasionally inside the vagina or anus. They can take weeks or months to appear after you've been exposed to the virus — so you might not know when or from whom you caught it.

How they spread

Genital warts are passed on through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity — vaginal, anal, or oral sex, as well as touching and grinding. You don't need penetrative sex to get them. Condoms help reduce the risk but can't prevent it completely, because the virus can live on skin that the condom doesn't cover.

HPV is incredibly common. Most sexually active people will come into contact with it at some point in their lives. Many people carry the virus without ever developing visible warts — they might pass it on without knowing they have it.

Treatment

Genital warts can be treated, but the treatment removes the warts, not the virus. Options include:

• Topical creams or solutions — applied to the warts at home over several weeks
• Cryotherapy — freezing the warts off at a clinic
• Surgical removal — for larger or more stubborn warts

Sometimes warts go away on their own without treatment, as the immune system fights the virus. But it can take months, and many people prefer to have them treated rather than wait. After treatment, warts can come back, especially in the first few months — but for most people, the immune system eventually suppresses the virus and outbreaks stop.

The HPV vaccine

The HPV vaccine offered to Year 8 students in UK schools (usually Gardasil 9) protects against HPV strains 6 and 11, which cause about 90% of genital warts, as well as the high-risk strains that can cause cervical and other cancers. If you've had the vaccine, your risk of getting genital warts is much lower. [CHECK: current vaccine offered in UK schools]

Things people get wrong

"Only 'dirty' people get genital warts." HPV is so common that most sexually active people encounter it at some point. Getting genital warts doesn't say anything about your hygiene or character.

"Condoms fully protect against them." Condoms reduce the risk significantly but can't prevent all transmission because HPV spreads through skin contact in areas the condom doesn't cover.

"Genital warts cause cancer." The strains that cause warts (mainly 6 and 11) are different from the strains that cause cancer (mainly 16 and 18). Having genital warts doesn't mean you're at higher risk of cancer.

Things people ask about genital warts

What if I notice bumps on my genitals?

Not all bumps are warts — there are other harmless things that can look similar (like Fordyce spots or skin tags). But if you notice something new, get it checked at a sexual health clinic. They can tell you what it is and whether it needs treatment.

Do I have to tell my partner?

If you have visible warts, yes — they need to know so they can make informed decisions and get checked themselves. If you've had warts in the past but don't currently have any, the situation is less clear-cut, but being open is generally the right approach.

Will genital warts affect my fertility?

No. Genital warts don't affect fertility.

Can you get genital warts from a toilet seat?

No. HPV requires skin-to-skin contact. You can't catch it from toilet seats, towels, or swimming pools.

Where to get help

• Sexual health clinics (GUM clinics) — free diagnosis and treatment for genital warts. No GP referral needed.
• Your GP — can also diagnose and treat or refer you.
• Brook — sexual health services for under-25s.

Genital warts are small, skin-coloured bumps that can appear on or around the private parts or bum. They're caused by a very common virus called HPV, which is passed on through skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity.

They don't usually hurt, though they can sometimes itch. They might be flat and smooth or raised and bumpy. They can appear weeks or months after catching the virus, so you might not know when you got it.

Condoms help lower the risk but can't stop it completely, because the virus lives on skin that a condom doesn't cover.

Genital warts can be treated. A doctor can freeze them off, or you can use a cream at home. Sometimes they go away on their own. But the virus stays in the body, so they can sometimes come back.

The HPV vaccine given in schools around age 12-13 protects against the types of HPV that cause most genital warts. If you've had the vaccine, your chances of getting them are much lower.

HPV is incredibly common. Most people who are sexually active will come into contact with it at some point. Getting genital warts doesn't say anything about you as a person.

The types of HPV that cause warts are different from the types that can cause cancer. Having warts doesn't mean you're at risk of cancer.