Genital Warts: What Causes Them, How They're Treated, and Why the HPV Vaccine Matters
Updated: 2 days ago
Medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: September 2026
Genital warts are one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) — a virus with more than 40 strains that affect the genital area. Nearly all sexually active people will be infected with at least one type of HPV at some point. This guide covers where genital warts appear, what causes them, how they're diagnosed and treated, and why the HPV vaccine is the best protection available.
Quick Answer
What causes them? The human papillomavirus (HPV) — more than 40 strains affect the genital area. Nearly all sexually active people get at least one type at some point.
What do they look like? Small, skin-colored (or differently colored) bumps that may resemble cauliflower — often too small and flat to see.
How do they spread? Almost always through sexual contact — even when warts are too small to be seen.
How are they diagnosed? Usually found during a physical exam; sometimes a biopsy. Women may also have Pap tests and HPV tests.
How are they treated? If warts don't cause discomfort, treatment may not be needed. Otherwise: creams/ointments or surgery. Warts often return after treatment; the virus has no cure.
Can they be prevented? The HPV vaccine helps protect against certain strains; limiting partners and using condoms also help, though condoms don't fully protect.
When should I see a doctor? If you or your partner gets bumps or warts in the genital area.
What Are Genital Warts?
Genital warts are caused by HPV, which has more than 40 strains affecting the genital area. The warts may look like small bumps or cauliflower — and are often too small to see.
Genital warts are one of the most common types of sexually transmitted infections. The virus that causes the warts is called HPV (human papillomavirus).
There are various types of HPV, and nearly all sexually active people will become infected with at least one type at some point. Some strains of genital HPV can cause genital warts. Others can cause cancer. Vaccines can help protect against certain strains.
Where Do Genital Warts Appear?
Genital warts affect the moist tissues of the genital area. They can appear on the genitals, in the pubic area, or in the anal canal. Genital warts can grow on:
In women: Vulva, walls of the vagina, area between the outer genitals and the anus, anal canal, and cervix
In men: Tip or shaft of the penis, scrotum, and anus
From oral sex: The mouth or throat of a person who has had oral sex with an infected person
In women, genital warts also can grow inside the vagina.
What Are the Symptoms?
Small swellings: Small swellings in the genital area that may be skin-colored or a different color
Cauliflower shape: A cauliflower-like shape caused by a few warts growing close together
Itching or discomfort: Itching or discomfort in your genital area
Bleeding: Bleeding with sex
Genital warts can be so small and flat that you can't see them. But rarely, they can multiply into large clusters in someone with a weakened immune system.
Genital warts can appear in several locations on the genitals, between the genitals and anus, and in the anal canal — plus signs to notice and key risk factors.
When Should You See a Doctor?
See a healthcare professional if you or your partner gets bumps or warts in the genital area. Even though warts may not cause any harm, a proper diagnosis matters — because some HPV strains can lead to more serious health problems, including cancer.
What Causes Genital Warts?
The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes genital warts. There are more than 40 strains of HPV that affect the genital area. Genital warts almost always are spread through sexual contact. Even if your warts are too small to be seen, you could spread the infection to your sexual partner.
Risk Factors
Most people who are sexually active get infected with genital HPV at some time. Factors that can raise your risk of infection include:
Not getting the HPV vaccine: The vaccine protects against certain strains of HPV
Sex without a condom or with more than one partner: Increases exposure to HPV
Having had another STI: May indicate higher exposure risk
Sex with a partner whose sexual history you don't know: Unknown HPV status
Becoming sexually active at a young age: Earlier and longer potential exposure
Weakened immune system: Such as from HIV or medicines from an organ transplant — warts can multiply into large clusters
What Are the Complications?
Cancer: Cervical cancer has been closely linked with genital HPV infection. Certain types of HPV also are linked with cancers of the vulva, anus, penis, and mouth and throat. HPV infection doesn't always lead to cancer — but regular Pap tests are key for those infected with higher-risk types
Problems during pregnancy: Rarely, warts become larger during pregnancy, making it hard to urinate. Warts on the vaginal wall can hinder stretching during childbirth. Large warts can bleed when stretched during delivery. Very rarely, a baby born to a pregnant person with genital warts gets warts in the throat and might need surgery to keep the airway from being blocked
The pathway from first physical exam through diagnosis, medication or surgery options, and prevention — including the HPV vaccine.
How Are Genital Warts Diagnosed?
Healthcare professionals often can find genital warts during a physical exam. Sometimes, a small piece of tissue needs to be removed and checked by a lab — this is called a biopsy.
Pap Tests and HPV Tests
Pap tests are important for women. These tests can help find changes in the vagina and cervix caused by genital warts, and the early signs of cervical cancer. During a Pap test, a device called a speculum holds open the vagina, and a long-handled tool collects a small sample of cells from the cervix — the passage between the vagina and uterus. The cells are checked under a microscope for irregular changes.
An HPV test checks cervical cells — taken during a Pap test — for the cancer-causing HPV strains. Only a few types of genital HPV have been linked to cervical cancer. This test is most often done for women age 30 and older; it isn't as useful for younger women because, for them, HPV usually goes away without treatment.
Treatment Options
If your warts don't cause discomfort, you might not need treatment. But medicine or surgery can help you clear an outbreak if you have itching, burning and pain. Treatment also can help if you're concerned about spreading the infection. Two important facts to know upfront: warts often return after treatment, and there is no treatment for the virus itself.
Medications
Imiquimod (Zyclara): A cream that boosts the immune system's ability to fight genital warts. Avoid sexual contact while the cream is on your skin — it might weaken condoms and diaphragms and irritate your partner's skin
Podophyllin (Podocon-25): A plant-based substance that destroys genital wart tissue, applied by a healthcare professional
Podofilox (Condylox): Same active compound as podophyllin, applied at home. Never place inside your body; not recommended during pregnancy
Trichloroacetic acid: A chemical treatment that burns off genital warts; can treat warts inside the body too
Sinecatechins (Veregen): An ointment that treats genital warts on the body and warts in or around the anus
Important: Do not try to treat genital warts with wart removers sold in stores. These medicines aren't meant for use in the genital area.
Surgery
You might need surgery to remove larger warts or ones that don't get better with medicine. If you're pregnant, you may need surgery to remove warts your baby could come in contact with during delivery.
Cryotherapy (freezing): Freezing with liquid nitrogen causes a blister to form around the wart; as the skin heals, the warts slough off and new skin appears. Treatment may need repeating
Electrocautery: Uses an electric current to burn off warts
Surgical excision: Warts are cut off during surgery; anesthesia keeps you from feeling pain during the procedure
Laser treatment: Uses an intense beam of light; can be expensive; usually saved for warts that are extensive and tough to treat
Prevention: The HPV Vaccine
Get the HPV vaccine to help prevent genital warts. And if you have sex, limit your number of partners — it's safest to have sex with just one partner who only has sex with you. It's also a good idea to use a condom every time you have sex, but this won't fully protect you from genital warts, because HPV can infect parts of the body that the condom doesn't cover.
Vaccination Guidelines
In the United States, the CDC recommends routine HPV vaccination for girls and boys ages 11 and 12, though the vaccine can be given as early as age 9. It's ideal for children to receive the vaccine before they have sexual contact. Most often, side effects from the vaccines are mild — soreness where the shot was given, headaches, a low-grade fever or flu-like symptoms.
Ages 9–10 and 11–14: Two doses, 6 to 12 months apart (research shows two doses work for children under 15)
Ages 15–26 starting later: Three doses — second dose 1 to 2 months after the first; third dose 6 months after the first
Through age 26: Catch-up vaccination recommended for all who aren't fully vaccinated
Ages 27–45: FDA approved the Gardasil 9 HPV vaccine for males and females ages 9 to 45; ask your healthcare team about your risks to decide if you should get vaccinated
Other HPV vaccines are offered outside of the United States. Talk with your healthcare team about when to get vaccinated and how many doses are needed.
How to Prepare for Your Appointment
You'll likely start by seeing your healthcare professional. Before your appointment, make a list of:
Symptoms: And when they began — describe your symptoms; note whether your partner has had similar symptoms
Sexual history: Any situations that might have exposed you to infections — key if you've had sex without a condom or sex with a new partner
Key medical information: Other conditions you're being treated for
All medicines, vitamins, or supplements: Including the doses you take
Bottom Line
If you've noticed bumps or warts in your genital area — or if a partner has — the most important step is to see a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis. Genital warts are extremely common, and they're treatable. The key things to remember: if warts cause discomfort, treatment can help; warts may return; the virus itself has no cure; and regular Pap and HPV tests help catch the more serious consequences of HPV before they become dangerous.
Your next step: get the HPV vaccine if you haven't yet, use condoms consistently, and be honest with your healthcare provider about your sexual history so they can give you the right screening and treatment plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes genital warts?
Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). More than 40 strains of HPV affect the genital area, and nearly all sexually active people will be infected with at least one type at some point.
Can you see genital warts?
Often, no. Genital warts can be so small and flat that you can't see them. When visible, they look like small, skin-colored bumps that may resemble cauliflower. Rarely, they can multiply into large clusters in someone with a weakened immune system.
Can you get genital warts if your partner doesn't have visible warts?
Yes. Genital warts almost always spread through sexual contact — even if warts are too small to be seen, you could spread the infection to your sexual partner.
How are genital warts diagnosed?
A healthcare professional often can find them during a physical exam. Sometimes a biopsy is done. Women may also have Pap tests and HPV tests (for women age 30 and older).
Do genital warts go away on their own?
If warts don't cause discomfort, you might not need treatment. But treatment can help clear an outbreak if you have itching, burning, or pain — or if you're concerned about spreading the infection. Even with treatment, warts often return, and there is no treatment for the virus itself.
What treatments are available?
Medications applied to the skin include imiquimod, podophyllin, podofilox, trichloroacetic acid, and sinecatechins. Surgery options include cryotherapy, electrocautery, surgical excision, and laser treatment.
Can I prevent genital warts?
The HPV vaccine helps protect against certain strains of HPV. It's recommended for ages 11–12 (can start at 9), with catch-up through age 26, and FDA-approved for ages 9–45. Limiting partners and using condoms also help, though condoms don't fully protect.
Can genital warts cause cancer?
The strains that cause genital warts are different from the strains linked to cancer, but a genital HPV infection can include multiple strains. Certain types of HPV are linked to cancers of the cervix, vulva, anus, penis, and mouth and throat. That's why regular Pap tests and HPV tests are so important.
References
Clinical content reviewed through Dec. 19, 2023, based on the reference sources listed above. This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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