Healthdirect Free Australian health advice you can count on.

Medical problem? Call 1800 022 222. If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately

healthdirect Australia is a free service where you can talk to a nurse or doctor who can help you know what to do.

beginning of content

Genital warts

7-minute read

Key facts

  • Genital warts are lumps that appear in the genital area, cervix, anus and rectum (back passage), and sometimes around your mouth.
  • They are caused by some types of human papillomavirus (HPV) which spreads through sexual contact.
  • The type of HPV that causes genital warts doesn't cause cancer.
  • Genital warts can be removed with creams, cryotherapy or laser, but treatment does not get rid of the virus itself, which usually goes away on its own within 2 years.
  • You can reduce your risk of genital warts by using condoms and receiving an HPV immunisation.

What are genital warts?

Genital warts are a very common sexually transmitted infection (STI). They are caused by some types of a virus called the human papillomavirus (HPV).

Genital warts are small lumps that you can see or feel. They can be found on your:

  • vulva
  • vagina
  • cervix
  • penis
  • anus
  • mouth

Genital warts are different to warts that you can get on your hands and knees.

What are the symptoms of genital warts?

Genital warts may:

  • be itchy
  • be bumpy or flat
  • develop as a single wart
  • develop in a cluster, like a small cauliflower

Genital warts may look different on different people.

You may also notice other symptoms such as:

CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.

Some people who are infected with HPV do not get any symptoms. They may not even know they have been infected. It's important to know that you can still spread HPV, even if you do not have any symptoms.

What causes genital warts?

Genital warts are caused by some types of human papillomavirus (HPV). They are very contagious.

You can catch the HPV virus through:

  • skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal or oral sex
  • sharing sex toys
  • contact with genital secretions

About 2 in every 3 people who have sex with someone infected with genital warts will catch the virus. The warts usually appear within 3 months of contact.

There are many types of HPV. It's possible to be infected by more than one type of HPV.

Some types of HPV can cause cancers, such as cervical cancer and anal cancer. The types of HPV that cause genital warts are unlikely to cause cancer.

If you are pregnant and have genital warts, it's very unlikely that you will pass HPV to your baby during labour and birth.

Read more about human papillomavirus and HPV vaccine.

When should I see my doctor?

You should visit your doctor for a sexual health check if you:

  • see or feel any unusual lumps on your genitals
  • have any other symptoms of genital warts
  • have had sex with someone who has genital warts

If you have warts inside your anus, you might need to see a surgeon. If you have warts on your cervix, you might need to see a gynaecologist.

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.

How are genital warts diagnosed?

Your doctor can usually diagnose genital warts by looking at them.

If the warts look a bit unusual, your doctor may recommend a biopsy to make sure they are not cancerous.

Your doctor may also suggest an sexually transmitted infection check.

How are genital warts treated?

Genital warts may be treated with:

  • cream
  • wart paint
  • liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy)
  • laser treatment
  • surgical removal

During pregnancy, some of these treatments are not recommended. Your doctor will suggest a treatment option which is best suited for you.

If you have warts in your pubic area, avoid shaving or waxing, as this could spread the infection.

Treating your warts doesn't cure the infection. Rather, treatments get rid of the warts you can see. Some people choose to treat their warts because they do not like how they look, or other symptoms bother them, while other people choose to leave them alone.

For some people, the warts can go away on their own within 2 years. However if you have a weakened immune system, they may not go away.

Treatments for other types of warts are not suitable for genital warts. See your doctor to discuss treatment options.

Can genital warts be prevented?

You can reduce your chance of becoming infected with HPV by:

  • getting the HPV vaccine, which protects against some types of HPV that cause genital warts
  • using condoms with new and casual sexual partners
  • having regular STI checks

Condoms do not completely protect against HPV, as they do not cover all the skin in your genital area.

If you have a cervix, are aged 25 to 74 and have ever been sexually active, you should have a cervical screening test every 5 years. The cervical screening test detects HPV and has replaced the Pap smear.

Complications of genital warts

Some types of HPV that cause genital warts can also cause a very rare complication called recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). RRP causes warts to develop in your airways and lungs.

If you have genital warts, you are not at higher risk of cancers in the genital area.

If you give birth while you have genital warts, there is a small risk your baby could get warts in their throat. In rare cases, they could develop recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

Coping with genital warts

Finding out you have genital warts can be distressing. You might feel alone, embarrassed, anxious and afraid of rejection or not being sexually desirable.

It's important to keep in mind that genital warts are a very common STI.

If you are worried about telling recent sexual partners that you have genital warts, you can send them an anonymous text message or email through some websites, such as Let Them Know.

You may find it helpful to talk to a parent or a friend you trust. There are organisations that can support you, such as Sexual Health Quarters. They can provide counselling, help you with your treatments and answer questions you may have.

Resources and support

  • For more information about genital warts, HPV or cervical cancer, visit your doctor or local sexual health clinic, or find out about sexual health services for your state or territory at Family Planning Alliance Australia.
  • NSW Sexual Health Infolink (1800 451 624; weekdays 9am to 5.30pm) is a non-judgemental information and STI referral service in New South Wales.
  • The Let Them Know website helps you send free, anonymous text messages or emails to sexual partners to help with contact tracing.
  • Drama Down Under is a website specifically for men with male sexual partners. Learn more about STIs, contact tracing and receive reminders when it's time to be retested.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: March 2024


Back To Top

Need more information?

These trusted information partners have more on this topic.

Top results

Genital Warts (HPV) | Body Talk

Genital warts are caused by some types of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Find out all the facts about Genital Warts here.

Read more on Body Talk website

What are genital warts? - Sexual Health Victoria

What are genital warts and human papillomavirus (HPV)? How do you get genital warts? How would I know if I have genital warts? What does a test involve? How are

Read more on Sexual Health Victoria website

Genital warts - myDr.com.au

Genital warts are are small, soft lumps in the genital area caused by some types of human papillomavirus (HPV). They are among the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Read more on MyDoctor website

Genital Warts - what it is, how to prevent it, and how to treat it

Genital Warts are warts on the skin of your genitals (vagina, penis) and perianal area (the skin around the anus) caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is very common. In fact, more than 75% of people will have this type of infection at some point in their life.

Read more on NSW Health website

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination | Family Planning NSW

What is human papillomavirus (HPV)? HPV is a virus that can cause genital warts and some types of cancer including cervical cancer (cancer of the neck of the uterus). There are more than 100 types of HPV - about 40 of them can affect the genitals which includes the penis, vulva, vagina and cervix and anus. In most cases, HPV infections are cleared naturally by the body within

Read more on Family Planning Australia website

Human papillomavirus | Pathology Tests Explained

The test is done to screen (or monitor treatment) for an infection by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that can cause skin warts and genital warts (al

Read more on Pathology Tests Explained website

Warts - Better Health Channel

Warts can be stubborn, so you may need to use more than one type of treatment.

Read more on Better Health Channel website

HPV vaccination | Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation

HPV (human papillomavirus) is a viral infection transmitted sexually. The HPV vaccine can reduce your risk of HPV, genital warts and HPV-related cancers.

Read more on Australian Cervical Cancer Foundation website

HPV vaccination | NCIRS

Read about HPV vaccination and vaccine safety

Read more on National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) website

Cervical Screening | 1800 My Options

Learn about the importance of cervical screening for early detection of abnormalities. Find out how and where to get tested.

Read more on 1800 My Options website

Healthdirect 24hr 7 days a week hotline

24 hour health advice you can count on

1800 022 222

Government Accredited with over 140 information partners

We are a government-funded service, providing quality, approved health information and advice

Australian Government, health department logo ACT Government logo New South Wales government, health department logo Northen Territory Government logo Queensland Government logo Government of South Australia, health department logo Tasmanian government logo Victorian government logo Government of Western Australia, health department logo

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.