Genital Warts - what it is, how to prevent it, and how to treat it
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Talking to your doctor about sexual health

Does the thought of talking to your doctor about sexual health give you butterflies or send a shiver down your spine?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Here’s our top tips to make chatting to your doctor about sex a whole lot easier.

Are there any symptoms?

Genital Warts may feel like lumps and bumps around your genitals and anus

Genital Warts are usually painless

How do you catch Genital Warts?

You can get Genital Warts through skin-to-skin contact during vaginal or anal sex . Genital warts are caused by a number of different strains of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). They are most contagious when warts are present on the skin, but it’s possible to get warts from someone who carries the virus, but doesn’t have any visible warts.

The types of HPV that cause genital warts are totally different from the types related to cervical cancer.

How do you prevent Genital Warts?

  • Condoms help stop you catching or spreading Genital Warts. But remember, they don’t cover all the areas where the Genital Warts can be found
  • There is a vaccine available that protects you from HPV, the virus that causes genital warts. This vaccine also helps protect against cervical and anal cancer too, so it’s worth looking into with your doctor
  • See your doctor if you think you may have genital warts

There is a vaccine available that protects you from HPV, the virus that causes genital warts

Testing and treatment for Genital Warts

Warts are diagnosed by sight – no swabs or blood tests required. Once a doctor confirms that you have Genital Warts, a home DIY treatment will usually be prescribed. This involves using a small cotton bud to dab a chemical solution to the lumps which makes them tingle and eventually fall off. They can also be frozen off.

Remember though, treatment isn’t a cure. The wart will disappear, but HPV can remain in the base layers of the skin until your own immune system gets rid of it for good. If warts reappear, it may be that HPV isn’t fully gone yet (it will go eventually) or it may be that you’ve got a new infection.

More about Common STIs

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