What are genital warts?

Visible genital warts usually are caused by HPV. HPV is a virus and the warts is the outcome, however, remember that not every growth in the genital area is a genital warts caused by HPV. It must be diagnosed by your medical doctor only.

HPV is very common in sexually active men and women and can sometimes have serious health consequences.

The virus can infect the genital skin and the linings of the vagina, cervix, rectum, and urethra. They come in different shapes and colour. Typically they present like cauliflower growth scattered around randomly, however, it comes in different look that could mimic other skin presentation. For example: they could look like mole , skin tag, cyst, keratosis, etc.

They come in different shapes such as raised, flat, big and small. Many patient have these growth for months, even years and they might not even know it. This usually becomes alarming when patients see multiple lesions and they then start to consider seeking medical attention. Many lesions occur in male or female genitals that could be easily mistaken by genital warts.

Locations of warts

This affects both females and males. In addition to the scrotum, the penis, vulva, perineum, and perianal skin, genital warts can also occur on the cervix, vagina, urethra, anus, and mouth. Intra-anal warts are seen predominantly in patients who have had receptive anal intercourse. These warts are distinct from perianal warts, which can occur in both men and women who have never had anal sex.

Diagnosis

Not every growth on the genitalia is a genital wart by HPV. It must be diagnosed by an experienced medical doctor. Diagnosis could be confirmed by a biopsy as well, your doctor may decide for biopsy, for example, if the size of the warts are big and bleeding or pigmented.

Physician experience is a major factor in diagnosing warts early and treating them immediately for more successful outcome. There is no blood test for HPV or genital warts, so we can not tell the overall status of an individual’s HPV. The virus does not circulate in blood and that is why we do not do blood test for the diagnosis. There is limited testing for females consisting of an element of typing for the cervix but not for men. If the HPV causes visible genital skin growth, then the doctor examination is the most important factor.