Genital Warts: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Sumiran Racherla, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Genital Warts?
Genital warts are usually diagnosed and treated by a primary care doctor, a gynecologist (a doctor for the female reproductive system), a urologist (a doctor for the male reproductive system and urinary tract), or a dermatologist (a skin doctor). A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What are genital warts?
Genital warts are a sexually transmitted infection (STI), which means an infection passed on through sex. They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
There are many types of HPV. Some types cause genital warts, and other types can cause cancer. The types that cause warts are different from the types that cause cancer.
Symptoms
Genital warts usually look like a small bump or a group of bumps in the genital area. They can be flat or look bumpy like cauliflower. They can be white, red, skin-colored, or darker than the skin around them.
Genital warts are often painless and may not cause any symptoms.
Sometimes they cause itching, burning, bleeding, or discomfort. They can also cause pain or discomfort during sex.
In women, warts usually occur in or around the vagina, on the cervix (the opening to the womb), or around the anus. Men may have warts on the tip of the penis, around the anus, or on the scrotum, thigh, or groin.
Causes and who gets it
Genital warts are caused by HPV. If you are sexually active, you can get them during oral, vaginal, or anal sex with an infected partner. You can also get them from skin-to-skin contact.
You can get genital warts even if the warts are so small that you cannot see them. A person with HPV can pass it on even when there are no signs or symptoms.
Warts can take a few weeks or months to appear after contact with an infected person. A person can also develop symptoms years after sex with someone who has the infection.
Genital warts can rarely pass from a woman to her baby during childbirth.
How doctors diagnose it
A provider can usually tell if you have genital warts by seeing them during a physical exam or a pelvic exam, which is an exam of the female reproductive organs.
Depending on where the warts are, a doctor or nurse may need to look inside the vagina, anus, or urethra, the tube where pee comes out.
There is no test that shows a person's overall "HPV status."
Treatment
There is no treatment for HPV itself, but a provider can treat genital warts.
Treatment is not always needed. The warts might disappear on their own, stay the same, or grow bigger or increase in number.
A provider can treat them in a few ways:
- With medicine, cream, or ointment.
- By burning, freezing, or cutting out the warts.
Creams, liquids, and ointments can cause pain, irritation, or a burning feeling. Freezing may need to be repeated several times and can be painful. Cutting out or removing warts with heat or a laser can cause pain, irritation, or scarring.
It may take weeks or months for treatment to work, and sometimes it does not work. Do not use wart treatments from a pharmacy, because they are not made for genital warts.
HPV stays in your body even after treatment. Warts can come back, and you can still spread HPV after warts are removed.
Tell the doctor or nurse if you are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, because some treatments will not be suitable.
When to see a doctor
Talk to a provider if you notice warts, unusual growths, lumps, or sores in your genital area, mouth, or throat. See a provider if a sexual partner has genital warts, even if you do not know whether you have them.
Go to a sexual health clinic or see a provider if you have itching or bleeding from your genitals or anus. Do the same if your normal flow of pee changes and does not go back to normal.
Routine screening for women aged 21 to 65 can prevent cervical cancer.
If you or your partner has genital warts, stop having sex until the warts are gone.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can look at the bumps, talk through your options, and refer you to a specialist or a sexual health clinic if needed.
Common questions
Do genital warts go away on their own?
Sometimes they do. They might also stay the same or grow bigger.
Can genital warts come back after treatment?
Yes, they can come back after treatment. This is because HPV stays in your body even after treatment.
Can you get genital warts from kissing or from toilet seats?
No, you cannot get genital warts from kissing or from sharing towels, cups, or toilet seats.
Can genital warts be prevented?
Yes, you can lower your risk, but you cannot remove it completely. An HPV vaccine may help prevent genital warts. It gives the most protection if you get it before you are exposed to the virus. Using latex condoms correctly greatly reduces the risk.
Do genital warts cause cancer?
No, the types of HPV that cause genital warts do not cause cancer. Other types of HPV can cause cancer, so routine cervical cancer screening is still important.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
