Symptoms
- Small flesh-coloured lumps on genitals or anus
- Itching or discomfort
- Bleeding if irritated
- May be too small to see without examination
Genital warts: symptoms, causes & treatment
Genital warts are caused by HPV and appear as small lumps or clusters. They are treatable with prescription topical creams or clinic procedures.
Editorial information by Kaiser Khan. Not clinically reviewed.
Why it happens
Human papillomavirus (HPV), spread by skin contact during sex. Not all HPV types cause visible warts; vaccination reduces some strains.
Treatment
Prescription topical treatments applied at home for suitable cases, or clinic cryotherapy/freezing for larger warts. Treatment may take weeks; warts can recur.
Self-care that helps
Do not pick warts; use condoms to reduce transmission (does not fully prevent HPV); attend cervical screening if applicable.
When to get help
Large, painful or rapidly spreading warts, or uncertainty about the diagnosis — in-person sexual health clinic assessment.
Available without prescription