Health Topics Neighborhood Health Emergency Prep

Genital and Anal Warts

Genital and anal warts are caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the U.S. Some strains of HPV cause cancer, but they usually are not the strains that cause genital and anal warts.

If not treated, genital and anal warts can grow larger, bleed and cause pain or itching. Sometimes genital and anal warts clear on their own without treatment.

Prevention

The best way to prevent genital and anal warts is with the HPV vaccine.

HPV vaccine is recommended for:

Children aged 11 or 12 (it can be given as early as age 9)

Adolescents and young adults through age 26 should receive the HPV vaccination if they did not receive all recommended doses when younger.

Some adults ages 27 through 45 who did not get all recommended doses when they were younger might decide to get the HPV vaccine based on discussion with their clinician.

The vaccine works best on people who have not been exposed to HPV. However, if you are sexually active and may have been exposed to HPV, the vaccine may still help you. The vaccine protects against several types of HPV, and you may not have been exposed to all of the types of the virus that the vaccine protects against.

Condoms and dental dams can lower the chance of spreading HPV, but HPV can still infect areas not covered by the condom or dental dam.

Symptoms

Most people with HPV do not have warts or other symptoms. If warts are present on the genital or anal areas, they look like fleshy bumps and may be itchy. Warts can also be hidden on the cervix, in the vagina or in the rectum.

Testing

Your health care provider can perform a visual exam to look for genital or anal warts. There is no widely available test to tell if someone without visible warts or other symptoms is infected with HPV. There is no blood test for HPV.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the size, number and location of the warts. Warts can be removed with:

Medicated creams and liquids
Freezing with liquid nitrogen
Surgery
Laser treatment

Sex Partners

If you are diagnosed with genital or anal warts, tell your current sex partner(s) so they can be evaluated and treated appropriately. Encourage your sex partner(s) to get the HPV vaccine if they are eligible.