Genital Warts (Condyloma): Symptoms and Treatment

What do genital warts look like?

Genital warts do not have a single appearance. They may begin as small, skin-colored or pinkish bumps; they can be flat, papular, keratotic, or papillomatous, growing outwards. A single lesion may be present, or multiple warts may be seen together.

They can develop in different areas such as the penis, scrotum, vulva, vaginal area, and perianal region. Some lesions may also be located in internal areas that are difficult for the patient to notice on their own. (Bashh)

Are all bumps in the genital area warts?

No.

This will be one of the most important messages on the page.

In the genital area, it may resemble genital warts:

molluscum contagiosum,

seborrheic keratosis,

fibroepithelial polyps,

Fordyce points,

pearly penile papules,

vestibular papillomatosis,

some nevi,

condylomata lata associated with syphilis

And more importantly, some premalignant or malignant lesions may be found. (Bashh)

Therefore, it is not accurate to conclude "I have HPV" by looking at a photo online.

How are genital warts diagnosed?

Most genital warts can be diagnosed with a dermatological examination.

Dermoscopic evaluation can be helpful for small or suspicious lesions. It is not routinely necessary to take a biopsy of every genital wart.

However, a biopsy may be necessary if the lesion appears unusual, if the diagnosis is uncertain, or if there are atypical features such as bleeding or ulceration. (Bashh)

How are genital warts transmitted?

Genital HPV is most often transmitted through close skin- or mucous membrane contact with the genitals.

The important point is this:

The partner does not need to have visible warts for infection to occur.

A person carrying HPV may have no visible lesions. (Bashh)

Furthermore, the appearance of a wart today does not necessarily indicate recent HPV infection. The time between infection and the appearance of a visible wart is highly variable.

Therefore, in most cases, it is not possible to conclude "I contracted HPV from this person on this date" simply by looking at the date the wart appeared.

Are genital warts cancerous?

Typical genital warts are benign lesions.

Genital siğillerin yaklaşık %90’ı HPV 6 ve 11 ile ilişkilidir ve bunlar düşük onkojenik riskli HPV tipleridir. Yüksek riskli HPV tipleri ise daha çok anogenital displaziler ve bazı kanserlerle ilişkilidir. (Bashh)

However, this distinction:

“"Any swelling we see in the genital area is safe."”

That doesn't mean anything.

Accurate assessment of whether a suspicious or atypical lesion is indeed a genital wart is important.

How are genital warts treated?

The main message is this:

There is no single "best genital wart treatment" for everyone.

Treatment choice;

Number of warts + size + location + extent + previous treatments + patient characteristics and preferences

They determine it together.

The 2024 BASHH guidelines also emphasize that it is not possible to demonstrate that a single treatment is superior for all patients. (BASHH)

Cryotherapy

This involves the controlled freezing of wart tissue using liquid nitrogen.

This is one of the commonly used physician-administered treatments and often requires more than one session. Post-procedure pain, blistering, pigment changes, and rarely scarring may occur. (Bashh)

Medications that the patient can administer

For suitable external genital warts, treatments such as imiquimod, podophyllotoxin, and in some countries, cinecatechins can be used.

These are not suitable for every anatomical region or every patient. Treatment duration and application methods also vary. (Bashh)

Therefore, it is not advisable to apply a "wart cream" found online to the genital area without proper knowledge.

Electrocautery and surgical methods

In suitable lesions, methods such as electrocauterization or surgical excision can be used.

They can be a treatment option, especially for large, widespread lesions or lesions resistant to other methods.

Laser

Different laser systems, such as CO₂, Er:YAG, Nd:YAG, and pulsed-dye lasers, can be used to treat genital warts. However, laser is not the best or first choice for every patient.

The 2024 BASHH guidelines specifically support expanding access to high-clearance methods such as laser, electrocautery, and surgical excision for difficult-to-treat warts. Appropriate fume extraction and personal protective equipment are also recommended due to the potential for plume formation during laser wart treatment. (BASHH)

The new systematic recommendations published in 2026 also do not reduce treatment to a single method; they recommend separate treatment algorithms for pregnant women, children, immunocompromised individuals, and different anatomical regions, in addition to the general population.

Can genital warts recur after treatment?

Yes, it can repeat.

The removal of visible warts is not the same as the complete biological elimination of HPV infection. Therefore, new warts may appear even after successful treatment.

This does not necessarily mean that the treatment has failed.

In current literature, recurrence after treatment is considered one of the major problems of genital warts.

Is it safe to burn or remove genital warts at home?

No.

Applying acids, wart solutions, or similar products to the genital area without proper control can cause serious irritation and chemical burns.

Products sold for hand or foot warts are not automatically suitable for the genital area.

It is also not correct to cut, pull off, or try to burn warts.

Does the HPV vaccine treat genital warts?

Current prophylactic HPV vaccines are not the standard treatment for existing genital warts.

The primary goal of vaccines is to prevent future infections caused by specific HPV types.

The 2024 BASHH guidelines also evaluated evidence regarding the therapeutic use of the HPV vaccine to accelerate the clearance of existing genital warts or prevent recurrence; current data are insufficient to consider the vaccine as the standard treatment for genital warts. (BASHH)

However, whether a person with genital warts can also benefit from the protective HPV vaccine is assessed individually based on their age and previous vaccination history.

Should my partner also get examined?

If there is a visible lesion in the partner, evaluation is appropriate.

However, because HPV is extremely common and can be present even without visible warts, we will not reduce partner management to a single rule like "if there are warts, you absolutely must do this.".

Furthermore, the appearance of genital warts is not necessarily proof of recent infidelity.

When should you consult a dermatologist?

Evaluation is appropriate when a new bump is noticed in the genital area, if the number of lesions is increasing, if previously treated warts are recurring, or if there is uncertainty as to whether the lesion is actually a wart.

Lesions, especially those that bleed, ulcerate, or have unusual pigmentation or appearance, should not be evaluated without delay. (Bashh)

Frequently Asked Questions

Can genital warts go away on their own? Some warts may regress without treatment. Some may remain unchanged or increase in number/size. The decision on treatment depends on the lesions and the patient's condition. (Bashh)

Does HPV go away when warts go away? We can't say that just by looking at the disappearance of visible lesions.

Can genital warts reappear? Yes. Recurrence can occur after treatment.

Can genital warts turn into cancer? Most typical genital warts are associated with low-risk HPV 6 and 11. However, accurate diagnosis is important for suspicious lesions because other diseases that resemble warts can be found in the genital area. (Bashh)

Which is better, cryotherapy or laser? There is no single superior method for all patients. The choice depends on the number, size, and location of the lesions, previous treatments, and the patient's characteristics. (Bashh)