​HPV and genital warts

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common sexually transmissible infection (STI).

Most people will come in contact with HPV at some point in their lives.

You can get HPV from having unprotected vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex, or close skin to skin contact with someone. Unprotected sex is when you have sex without a condom, or oral dam. 

There are many types of HPV. Some types of HPV can cause genital warts. Some types of HPV can lead to cancer of the:

• Cervix
• Vulva
• Penis
• Anus
• Throat  

The type of HPV that can lead to genital warts is often very difficult to notice. Many people with this type of HPV will not develop genital warts. For other people, it will be weeks or months before any genital warts appear.

Genital warts look like small skin-coloured lumps on your vulva, vagina, cervix, penis, scrotum, or anus. Sometimes they can feel itchy. Genital warts are hard to see a lot of the time — a nurse or doctor can check you more closely and accurately for genital warts. 

The type of HPV that can lead to cancer doesn’t usually show any obvious signs of infection — that’s why HPV vaccination and regular HPV screening, for people with a cervix from age 25, are so important!  

The only way to find out for sure if you have genital warts is to be examined by a health professional. Warts have a very obvious appearance. They can usually be diagnosed just by looking at them.

Occasionally if the wart looks unusual, a skin biopsy will be taken — to rule out other causes. 

Genital warts will often clear up on their own over time. Treatment can help warts clear up but is usually only needed if the warts are causing problems, for example: bleeding, pain, or embarrassment.

Some common treatments are:   

• A cream that helps your immune system fight the virus 
• A liquid that kills the infected cells  
• Freezing the warts off with liquid nitrogen 
• Diathermy (heat) 

Sometimes it takes a few different treatments, or visits, for the warts to clear up.  

Getting the HPV vaccine is a great way to protect yourself from HPV. The HPV vaccine is free for New Zealand residents from 9-26 years old.

Regular HPV screening, plus using condoms and oral dams, are also good protection against HPV and genital warts. 

Lots of STIs don’t have obvious symptoms — so it’s important to get tested for STIs before and after unprotected sex, or anytime you have sex with a new person.

If you’re having sex with several people — or the person you have sex with is having sex with several people — talk to us about how often you should be screened for genital warts and other STIs. 

If you find out that you have genital warts, don’t stress — most warts go away by themselves over time. If you are really worried, make an appointment with us — one of our doctors or nurses will help you.

It’s a good idea to use condoms or oral dams when you have sex — this will help reduce the spread of HPV and genital warts from person to person.