Genital Warts Treatment

Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are growths or lumps found on the skin in the genital area which includes the vulva, penis, scrotum, or anus. They can also be found inside the vagina or the anus. They do not usually hurt and are not normally dangerous for your health, but they can cause distress.

HPV is a virus that can affect many different areas of the body. There are over 100 types of HPV. The types that usually cause genital warts are types 6 and 11. There are other types of HPV that can cause some types of cancers, including cervical cancer. The types of HPV that cause warts do not usually cause cancer. The HPV vaccine, which protects against some of the types of HPV that cause cancers, also protects against HPV 6 and 11, which cause genital warts.

Genital warts are a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that is passed on by any skin to skin contact. This means they can be passed on by vaginal and anal sex, but can also be passed on if you do not have penetrative sex. In very rare cases genital warts can be passed on by oral sex.

Studies suggest that around 1 in 20 sexually experienced adults aged between 16 and 44 reported having a diagnosis of genital warts at some point in their life. In men and women reporting same-sex behaviour, this figure was 1 in 10.

You can reduce your risk of getting genital warts by:

• using a condom every time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex
• not sharing sex toys or washing them before use

Since condoms do not cover all of the skin in the genital area, it is still possible to pass on or get genital warts even if a condom is used.

To find out if you have genital warts for sure, you need to be seen by a doctor. You can visit your GP or your local sexual health clinic, where they can look at any areas that you are worried about. Our online consultation service allows you to do this, but without the need for a face to face appointment.

Our questionnaire will ask you to securely send 2 photos of the area that you are worried about. One of our doctors will review your details and your photos, and then message you via your online account with a diagnosis. Your chosen treatment can be prescribed by our doctors, and your treatment can be delivered to your door or collected from an Asda Pharmacy.

There is no cure for genital warts but you can treat them. Treatment for genital warts must be prescribed by a doctor. The type of treatment you get will depend on where the warts are and what they look like.

Aldara

This is an imiquimod cream applied directly to the genital warts. It works by stimulating your body’s immune system to attack abnormal cells. Aldara is applied to the genital warts 3 times a week before you go to bed. You need to wash it off 6 to 10 hours after you have applied it. It can take between 4 and 12 weeks before all the warts are gone, but you can repeat the treatment for up to 16 weeks following guidance from your doctor.

Condyline

This is a solution containing podophyllotoxin (a plant extract) which is applied directly to the genital warts. It can only be used on small, soft warts that cover an area less than 4cm x 4cm. It works by stopping the growth and spread of the warts. Condyline should be applied twice a day (12 hours apart) for 3 days. If warts are still there, you can repeat the cycle starting on the same day a week later. You can do this for up to 5 weeks.

Warticon

This is a cream containing podophyllotoxin (a plant extract) which is applied directly to the genital warts. It can only be used on small, soft warts that cover an area less than 4cm x 4cm. It works by stopping the growth and spread of the warts. Warticon is applied to the infected area twice a day (12 hours apart) for 3 days. If any warts are still there 7 days after you started the treatment, you can repeat the cycle. This can be done 4 times in a row by yourself, but if any warts are still there after that, you should consult your doctor.

No, you must have a doctor’s prescription to get treatment for genital warts. Our discreet and confidential online service means you can consult a doctor who will look at your symptoms and prescribe your treatment quickly, and without you needing to leave the home. You will need to upload a photograph for the doctor to look at.

There are some treatments for other types of warts that can be bought over the counter in a pharmacy. These will not work for genital warts and should not be tried, as it can be dangerous.

Some people will get side effects when using topical treatments to remove genital warts. These side effects usually affect the area of skin that the treatment is applied to.

Some common side effects include:

• swelling and redness
• itching, pain, or a burning sensation
• flakiness and peeling
• open sores
• small bubbles under the skin
• headaches

In very rare cases (less than 1 in 100) there are some other less common side effects.

Some uncommon side effects include:

• fever
• muscle pain
• pain during sex
• erection problems
• tiredness
• nausea (feeling sick)
• bacterial or fungal infections

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any of these side effects.

You cannot use Aldara, Condyline, or Warticon if you are:

• pregnant, breastfeeding, or intending to get pregnant
• allergic to podophyllotoxin or imiquimod cream

These treatments are only for external use on skin and should not be used on broken, bleeding, or inflamed skin. It is important to follow instructions carefully and only use the treatment on the required area. If you use excessive amounts of these treatments for a long time, there is a risk of systemic toxicity.

If you accidentally get the medicine in the wrong place or apply too much medicine, wash the area with soap and water. If the solution gets into your eyes, bathe them with water and get medical advice right away.

It is recommended to avoid sex while using treatments for genital warts. If you do have sex while you are having treatment, use a condom to reduce the chance of passing on genital warts to your partner.