How to Protect Yourself Against Genital Warts (HPV)

Genital warts are among the most common sexually transmitted infections, and they often cause both physical and emotional discomfort. The good news is that there are effective ways to significantly reduce the risk of transmission. In this article we look at ways to protect yourself, the vaccine and frequently asked questions about partners.

How are genital warts transmitted?

Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Most warts are due to low-risk HPV types such as 6 and 11. The high-risk types associated with diseases such as cervical cancer are different.

HPV is mainly transmitted through skin-to-skin contact:

• Vaginal, anal and oral sex
• Genital contact without penetration
• From mother to baby during birth (rare)

After the virus enters the body, it can take weeks to months for warts to appear. In some people the virus remains without causing any symptoms and is cleared by the immune system. For this reason, people can pass on the virus without knowing that they carry it.

Does the HPV vaccine protect against genital warts?

Yes. HPV vaccination is the main measure for preventing genital warts. The vaccines in use today cover types 6 and 11, which cause most warts, as well as some high-risk types associated with cancer.

What you should know about the vaccine:

• The World Health Organization recommends that the vaccine is given primarily before sexual activity begins, in childhood and early adolescence. At this age the immune response is strong and the person has not yet encountered the virus.
• The vaccine can also be given to boys and men. In men it protects against genital warts and certain cancers, and it also reduces transmission to partners.
• The vaccine can also be given at older ages; however, the benefit depends on which types the person has already encountered.
• The vaccine does not treat existing warts or infection; it protects against new infections.
• The number of doses and the schedule vary with age; ask your doctor about this and follow the vaccination recommendations in your country.

Is using a condom enough?

When used correctly every time you have sex, from start to finish, condoms reduce the risk of HPV transmission. However, they do not give complete protection, because the virus can also be transmitted from the skin of the groin, scrotum and genital area that the condom does not cover.

For this reason, condoms are a complementary measure that should be used together with vaccination. Condoms also give important protection against other sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia, HIV and syphilis. For information on gonorrhoea, see our gonorrhoea article.

What should you do if your partner has warts?

A diagnosis of genital warts can create anxiety and mistrust between partners. The important points to know are:

• HPV can remain in the body for a long time without symptoms. The appearance of a wart does not mean that the infection was caught recently.
• In couples in a long-term relationship, the virus is often present in both partners.
• Avoiding sexual contact while warts are present and during treatment reduces transmission.
• It is recommended that the partner is also examined by a doctor. It is important for female partners to keep up with regular cervical screening.

Talking about this openly and without blame has a positive effect on both treatment and the relationship.

Is there an HPV test for men?

In women, HPV testing is used routinely as part of cervical screening. For men, however, there is no widely accepted routine HPV screening test recommended for people without symptoms. Genital warts are mostly diagnosed by examination, that is, by looking at the appearance of the lesions. In doubtful cases, examination under magnification or taking a small tissue sample (biopsy) may be needed.

For this reason, protection in men is based not on testing but on vaccination, condom use and early examination when a suspicious lesion is noticed. For men whose partner has tested positive for HPV, being examined allows any visible lesion to be treated early.

Does circumcision protect against HPV?

Some studies show that male circumcision may reduce HPV transmission to some extent. However, circumcision is not a method of protection on its own; circumcised men can also develop genital warts. It does not replace vaccination and condom use.

What can be done to reduce the recurrence of warts?

New warts appearing after treatment is common. To reduce the risk:

1. Stop smoking; smoking makes it harder for the body to clear the virus.
2. Attend the follow-up examinations recommended by your doctor; small new warts can be treated early.
3. Do not irritate the wart area with razors or waxing; this can make it easier for the virus to spread to the surrounding skin.
4. Do not use products sold for warts on the hands or feet, or home-made mixtures, on the genital area.
5. Tell your doctor if you have a condition that weakens your immune system.

For detailed information on how genital warts are diagnosed and treated, see the genital warts (condyloma) page.

When should you see a urologist?

See a urologist if you notice new bumps, skin-tag-like or cauliflower-like growths on the penis, scrotum, groin or around the anus, if your partner has been diagnosed with warts, or if new lesions appear after treatment. Do not try to pick off or burn the lesions yourself.

Op. Dr. Mücahit Kabar sees patients in Bursa (Nilüfer), Turkey, at Özel Medicabil Nilüfer Hastanesi (weekdays 08:30–12:00, +90 444 8 112) and Özel Jimer Hastanesi (weekdays 13:00–17:00, +90 444 45 67). Appointments are booked through the hospitals’ online booking pages or appointment lines. Consultations are held in English or Turkish and are confidential; the hospitals’ international patient departments can arrange interpreters for other languages. For questions before your visit, you can send a WhatsApp message to +90 541 622 54 82. Further details are on the contact page.