General Information About Genital Warts
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
They are skin growths formed in the genital areas of men and women by the benign Type 6 and Type 11 strains of HPV (Human Papillomavirus), which is the most common sexually transmitted virus.
It is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sexual intercourse with a partner who has warts or carries the virus. It is not transmitted through the blood.
No. While condoms significantly reduce the risk, they cannot entirely prevent skin-to-skin contact. Contact with the groin area or the base of the penis not covered by the condom is sufficient for the virus to pass.
The HPV types that cause genital warts (Type 6 and 11) are low-risk and do not turn into cancer (cervical/penile cancer). However, because a person with warts has a high probability of also carrying other high-risk HPV types (Type 16, 18) that can cause cancer, screening is mandatory.
A visual examination by a physician is usually sufficient to diagnose typical warts. In women, a Pap smear and HPV DNA typing are performed to check if a cancer risk is present.
Warts are removed from the skin using freezing (cryotherapy), burning (electrocautery), or laser methods under local anesthesia. However, because the virus can remain inside the cells, there is a risk of recurrence (relapse) when immunity drops; the HPV vaccine significantly reduces this risk.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
