Genital warts are a common sexually transmitted infection (STI)
Genital warts are passed on by vaginal and anal sex, sharing sex toys and sometimes oral sex.
If you have some of these symptoms you may have genital warts:
– One or more painless growths or lumps around your vagina, penis or anus
– Itching or bleeding from your genitals or anus
– A change to your normal flow of pee that does not go away
– A sexual partner who has genital warts, even if you do not have symptoms
Genital warts can be passed on even when there are no visible warts. After you get the infection, it can take weeks or months before symptoms appear.
You can get genital warts from:
– Skin-to-skin contact, including vaginal and anal sex
– Sharing sex toys
– Oral sex, but this is rare
You can stop genital wars from being passed on by:
– Using a condom every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex
– Not having sex while you’re having treatment for genital warts
– Not sharing sex toys
The treatment for genital warts needs to be prescribed by a doctor.
Treatments include:
– Cream or liquid you apply yourself a few times a week for several weeks
– A doctor or nurse may cut, burn or use a laser to remove the warts
– A doctor or nurse freezes the warts
Contacting a sexual health service for the first time can be a little daunting, so here are some easy answers to many of the questions you may have.
There’s no cure for genital warts, but it’s possible for your body to fight the virus over time.
Genital warts come back because they are caused by the HPV virus. The HPV virus can stay in your skin and warts can develop again.
Call our helpline or go to a sexual health clinic as soon as possible if you think you have genital warts. They’ll often get test results quicker than GP practices and you do not have to pay a prescription fee for treatment
Your journey with Essex Sexual Health Service begins with a conversation. Whatever your query or area of interest, we’re here to help. From detailed enquiries about our diverse services to general information requests, our dedicated team is ready to assist you.
Registered address: 900 The Crescent, Colchester Business Park, Colchester, Essex, CO4 9YQ. Registered in England and Wales No. 07320006.
