Frank and Honest: Genital Warts

Genital Warts

What is it?
Genital warts is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections
(STIs).

Symptoms

Pinkish/white cauliflower-shaped lumps on the genital area.
Warts can appear on the penis, scrotum or anus or in the vagina.
It usually takes 1-3 months from infection for warts to appear, but it can take much longer.
They may itch but are usually painless.

Not everyone who comes into contact with the virus will get warts.

Want to see it? Very disturbing!!! – click button for photo in new window

How do people get it?
Warts are caused by a virus and are spread through skin-to-skin contact. If you have sex or genital contact with someone who has genital warts, you may develop them too.

They can be passed on during vaginal, anal or oral sex.

How is it diagnosed and treated?
A doctor or nurse can usually tell whether you have genital warts just by looking and an internal examination may be carried out to check for warts in the vagina or anus.

Usually you will be prescribed an anti-wart liquid or cream, which can be used at home. Genital warts can also be removed by freezing or laser treatment.

Treatment may be uncomfortable, should not be painful but may go on for several weeks. Never try to treat genital warts by yourself – always ask a doctor or nurse.

You can take care of yourself and your partner or partners if you:

Keep your genital area clean and dry.
Don’t use scented soaps, bath oils or vaginal deodorants.
Use condoms when having sex – though these will protect against warts only if they cover the affected area.

Make sure your partner or partners also have a check up.

What if it is not treated?
Warts often come back, even after treatment and need to be treated again.

There are some types of wart virus that may be linked to changes in cervical cells, which can lead to cancer. However, this is rare. Women with genital warts should, like all women over the age of 25, have regular cervical smear tests every 3-5 years.

Where to get help
If you think you may have genital warts, contact your local sexual health (GUM) clinic and make an appointment. It’s easy and completely confidential.

For more information on sexual health (including HIV), call the Sexual Health Line free (from the UK) on 0800 567 123, textphone (for people with hearing impairments) 0800 521 361 or phone your local NHS sexual health clinic.

Links and contact details

Name: NHS Direct Wales
Web: NHS Direct Wales – Health Encyclopedia
Email:
Tel: 0845 46 47
Info: NHS Direct Wales is a health advice and information service available 24 hours a day, every day that was set up by the Welsh Assembly Government.

GUM Clinics in South East Wales

ABERDARE
Aberdare General Hospital
Aberdare, CF44 0RF
Tel: 01443 443597
Opening Times: Tue & Thu, 9.30am – 12.30pm

CARDIFF
Cardiff Royal Infirmary
Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 0SZ
Tel: 029 2033 5207 / 8
Opening times: Mon, Tues, Thurs 8.40 a.m – 5.00 p.m; Wednesday – Closed; Friday Afternoon – Closed (Closed for lunch 12.15 – 1.15 p.m.)

NEWPORT
Royal Gwent Hospital
Cardiff Road, Newport, NP2 2UB
Tel: 01633 234555
Opening times: Mon – Fri, 9.00am – 12.30pm; 1.30pm – 4.30pm

PONTYPOOL
Panteg County Hospital
Coed-Y-Cric Road, Griffiths Town, Pontypool, NP4 5YA
Tel: 01633 234555
Opening times: Mon, 5.00pm – 7.30pm

PONTYPRIDD
Students Health Centre
Dewi Sant Hospital
University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, CF37 1DL
Tel: 01443 443597
Opening times: Tue, 9.00am – 12.30pm

The content of this website is not intended to be a substitute for individual professional advice.

Frank and Honest is not responsible for the content of any external websites.

A link on FrankandHonest.com to an external website does not mean that the linked website has been endorsed or approved by Frank and Honest in any way.

To read the FrankandHonest.com full disclaimer, please click here

Fersiwn Cymraeg

Frank & Honest

Genital Warts

Other articles in this topic:

Content Updates: