Genital Warts

Genital warts (condylomata acuminata) are – as the name suggests – warts around the genitals. It is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a highly contagious virus.

How do you recognize genital warts?

You can recognize genital warts by one or more nodules around the genitals or anus. In women, the warts are mainly located at the entrance to the vagina or at the anus. Sometimes they occur in the vagina and on the cervix. In men, genital warts mainly occur on the penis, near the urethra, on the scrotum and around the anus.

Usually genital warts are small and spongy. They have a pink-red or gray-white color. Over time, they can grow and harden. It is possible to have a single wart near your vagina or penis, but it is also possible to have a group of warts together, making your skin look cauliflower.

Genital warts can be numb, but also cause itching, pain or a burning sensation.

Cause

The cause of genital warts is a virus, namely a variant of the human papilloma virus (HPV). You can get infected through sexual contact. However, the virus also spreads through indirect contact, for example through the fingers or a used towel. Using condoms does not completely prevent infection, because the warts can also be outside the condom.

After being infected with the virus, it can take weeks to months before warts actually appear. So you can be infected without knowing it. This increases the chance that you will transmit the virus to others.

Other types of warts

Contrary to popular belief, genital warts are not the same type of warts as the ones you might have on your hands or feet. Such ‘normal’ warts are caused by a different type of virus. So you don’t have to worry about getting genital warts by touching your genitals with a wart on your finger.

The site of infection is not directly related to the site of the genital warts. You can get them anywhere around the genitals and anus. In addition, they can spread. This makes it possible to get genital warts near the anus even without anal sex.

When to the doctor?

Do you think you have genital warts? Then go to the doctor as soon as possible. It is important to make a correct diagnosis in time, so that you can prevent contamination of others. If you know or suspect you have genital warts, don’t lend anything that touched your genitals or anus. And of course, pretty always safe.

Treating Genital Warts

Genital warts often disappear on their own after a few years. Treatment is only necessary if it bothers you a lot. Your doctor can freeze, cut, or burn them. There are also ointments that you can use to combat the warts in a course of five to sixteen weeks.
If you are infected with genital warts and HIV, the symptoms can become more severe and the warts more difficult to treat. The warts can then become considerably larger and expand strongly.

Even though genital warts disappear, you continue to carry the virus. There is a good chance that the warts will come back over time.