Genital Warts

Genital warts are caused by Human Papilomavirus (HPV).  In women, genital warts can appear on the vulva, urethra, cervix, anus or thighs. In men, they can appear on the penis, scrotum, anus or thighs.

• How do you get them?
  Warts are spread through skin-to-skin contact with an infected person with the infected area. Most people who have sexual contact with a partner infected by genital warts will usually develop warts within three months.
• How do you get tested?
  Your doctor or health care professional can usually diagnose people with genital warts through an assessment.
• Do they go away?
  Trying to remove the visible warts does not always eliminate HPV and genital warts can reappear. There are chemicals that can destroy external genital warts with direct application, but this may have to be repeated several times.
• How do I NOT get genital warts?
  Choosing NOT to have sex is the safest!
  Because genital warts can be spread through intimate contact, using a condom doesn’t guarantee you won’t them, but it reduces your risk.
• Where can you get tested?
  At your doctor's/healthcare professional's office, or at the sexual health clinics at the Northwestern Health Unit.