Genital warts are one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Canada. They are caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus, or HPV. In this article, you will learn what genital warts look like, how HPV spreads, how a diagnosis is made, and what treatment options are available to you.
What Are Genital Warts?
Genital warts are small, flesh-coloured growths that appear on or around the genitals and anus. They can be flat or raised, smooth or bumpy, and may appear alone or in clusters. Some people describe them as looking like a small cauliflower.
In men, genital warts can appear on the penis, scrotum, or around the anus. In women, they can grow on the vulva, inside the vagina, on the cervix, or in the perineal area. Sometimes warts are so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye.
It is important to know that not all HPV strains cause warts. However, certain strains are linked to abnormal cell changes that can lead to cancer over time. Health Canada recognises HPV as a leading cause of cervical cancer, as well as cancers of the vulva, penis, and anus.
What Causes Genital Warts?
Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus, commonly known as HPV. There are more than 100 types of HPV. Types 6 and 11 are responsible for about 90% of all genital wart cases.
HPV spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity. This includes vaginal, anal, and oral sex with an infected person. You do not need to have visible warts to pass the virus on to a partner.
HPV has a long incubation period. This means that after being infected, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months — sometimes even years — before warts appear. As a result, many people do not know they are carrying the virus.
Risk Factors for Getting Genital Warts
Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV. However, certain factors increase your risk. These include having multiple sexual partners, having unprotected sex, and having a weakened immune system.
Furthermore, young people between the ages of 15 and 30 are diagnosed with genital warts most often. This is why sexual health education and HPV vaccination are so important for teenagers and young adults in Canada.
How Does HPV Spread?
HPV spreads through skin-to-skin sexual contact. You can get it through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. The virus can be present on skin that a condom does not cover, which means condoms reduce — but do not eliminate — your risk.
If both partners are monogamous and neither has HPV, the risk of developing genital warts is very low. However, because HPV can remain dormant for years, it is possible to carry the virus without knowing it. Therefore, regular STI screening is a smart habit for anyone who is sexually active.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), HPV is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract worldwide. Most sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives.
Can You Spread Genital Warts Without Symptoms?
Yes. This is one of the reasons HPV spreads so easily. A person can carry and transmit the virus even when no warts are visible. In women, warts can grow on the cervix where they cannot be seen or felt.
In addition, a person may clear the virus naturally over time without ever knowing they had it. However, they may still have passed it on to a sexual partner before the virus resolved on its own.
How Are Genital Warts Diagnosed?
If you notice any unusual growths or changes in your genital area, see a healthcare provider right away. A doctor can usually diagnose genital warts through a simple visual examination. No special test is needed in most cases.
For women, a Pap test (also called a Pap smear) can detect abnormal cell changes on the cervix caused by HPV. This is one of the reasons Pap tests are so important. Most provincial health plans in Canada cover regular Pap testing for women. Check with your province’s health programme to know how often you should be screened.
Additional Testing for HPV
In some cases, a doctor may apply a mild acid solution to the skin to make warts more visible. For women with abnormal Pap results, a colposcopy — a closer examination of the cervix — may be recommended. A small tissue sample (biopsy) may also be taken if there is any concern about abnormal cells.
Men do not have a routine HPV screening test equivalent to the Pap test. However, a doctor can examine the genital area and check for warts or other abnormal changes during a physical exam.
Genital Warts Treatment Options
The good news is that genital warts can be treated. However, it is important to understand that treatment removes the warts, but does not cure the HPV infection itself. The virus can remain in your body and warts may return after treatment.
Your doctor will recommend the best treatment based on the size, location, and number of warts. Always follow your doctor’s advice. Do not try to treat genital warts with over-the-counter wart removers meant for hands or feet — these are not safe for genital skin.
Medical Treatments for Genital Warts
There are several effective medical treatments available in Canada. Your doctor or specialist may recommend one or more of the following:
Cryotherapy (freezing): A doctor uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the warts. This is one of the most common treatments.
Laser therapy: A laser beam destroys the wart tissue. This is often used for larger or harder-to-reach warts.
Electrosurgical excision: The doctor uses an electrical current to cut away the warts. This method works well for larger growths.
Topical treatments: Special prescription creams or acids are applied directly to the warts. These dissolve the wart tissue over time. Some local irritation or inflammation may occur with these treatments.
According to the Mayo Clinic, even after successful treatment, warts can return because HPV may still be active in the body. Follow-up appointments with your doctor are important.
Can Genital Warts Be Prevented?
Yes. There are several steps you can take to lower your risk of getting genital warts and HPV. Prevention is always better than treatment.
The HPV vaccine is one of the most powerful tools available. In Canada, the HPV vaccine is offered through school-based immunisation programmes in every province and territory. It is recommended for children and young adults before they become sexually active. Adults can also speak to their doctor about getting vaccinated.
Other Prevention Strategies
Use condoms: Condoms reduce your risk of HPV and other STIs, though they do not provide complete protection since HPV can spread from skin not covered by a condom.
Limit sexual partners: Reducing the number of sexual partners lowers your overall risk.
Get regular STI screening: Regular testing helps catch infections early, before complications develop.
Talk openly with partners: Honest conversations about sexual health protect both you and your partner.
What Happens If Genital Warts Are Left Untreated?
If left untreated, genital warts may grow larger or spread to nearby skin. An infected person can also continue to pass HPV on to sexual partners. In some cases, the warts may go away on their own, but the virus remains in the body.
More seriously, certain strains of HPV can cause abnormal cell changes on the cervix. If these changes are not treated, they can eventually develop into cervical cancer. This is why regular Pap tests and follow-up care are so important for women. Early detection saves lives.
When to See a Doctor
You should see a doctor if you notice any unusual lumps, bumps, or growths in your genital or anal area. Do not wait and hope the problem goes away on its own. Early treatment is always better.
In Canada, you have several options for care. You can make an appointment with your family doctor, visit a walk-in clinic, or contact your local sexual health clinic. Many sexual health clinics offer confidential STI testing and treatment at no cost, covered under your provincial health plan.
Remember, there is no need to feel embarrassed. Healthcare providers see and treat genital warts regularly. Getting checked is a responsible and healthy decision. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Genital Warts
Are genital warts the same as HPV?
Genital warts are caused by HPV, but they are not the same thing. HPV is the virus, and genital warts are one possible symptom of certain HPV strains. Many people with HPV never develop visible warts at all.
Can genital warts go away on their own?
In some cases, genital warts may disappear without treatment as the immune system fights the virus. However, the HPV virus can remain in your body even after warts clear up. It is always best to see a doctor rather than wait and hope they resolve on their own.
Is there a cure for genital warts?
There is no cure for the HPV virus itself, but genital warts can be effectively removed through medical treatment. Because the virus stays in the body, warts may return after removal. Your doctor can recommend the best ongoing management plan for you.
Can you get genital warts from oral sex?
Yes. HPV, which causes genital warts, can spread through oral, vaginal, and anal sex. Using a condom or dental dam during oral sex can reduce — though not eliminate — the risk of transmission.
Does the HPV vaccine prevent genital warts?
Yes. The HPV vaccine protects against the strains most likely to cause genital warts and cervical cancer. In Canada, the vaccine is available through school-based programmes and is also recommended for adults who were not vaccinated as children. Talk to your family doctor about whether the vaccine is right for you.
Can you still have sex if you have genital warts?
You can transmit HPV and genital warts to a sexual partner even if your warts have been treated. It is important to inform your partner and use condoms to reduce risk. Speak openly with your doctor about sexual activity during and after treatment for genital warts.
Key Takeaways
Genital warts are caused by certain strains of HPV, a very common sexually transmitted virus.
HPV spreads through skin-to-skin sexual contact, including oral, vaginal, and anal sex.
You can carry and spread HPV without having visible warts.
Warts can be treated through cryotherapy, laser therapy, electrosurgery, or topical prescription creams.
Treatment removes warts, but does not cure HPV. Warts may return after treatment.
The HPV vaccine is the most effective way to prevent genital warts and related cancers.
Regular Pap tests help detect abnormal cervical changes caused by HPV early.
If you notice any unusual growths, visit your family doctor, a walk-in clinic, or a sexual health centre covered under your provincial health plan.
Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment advice.
