Discovering a small growth on the vulva, around the anus, or in the genital area can be worrying. Genital warts — often called condylomas — are linked to infection by certain human papillomaviruses (HPV).
They are common and benign in the vast majority of cases.
But one misconception must be corrected from the outset: the HPV types that usually cause genital warts are not the same as those mainly responsible for HPV-related cancers.
HPV types 6 and 11 are so-called low-risk types and are responsible for the vast majority of genital warts. High-risk HPV types, such as HPV 16 and 18, are associated with precancerous lesions and several cancers.
This does not mean that a person with genital warts cannot also carry another type of HPV at the same time. Gynaecological follow-up and cervical cancer screening should therefore continue according to the usual recommendations.
What is a genital wart?
A genital wart (condyloma) is a benign lesion of the skin or mucous membranes caused by a human papillomavirus infection.
Genital warts can present in very varied forms:
- small isolated growths;
- multiple lesions;
- small flat or slightly raised papules;
- lesions sometimes clustered together;
- an appearance sometimes suggesting a small "crest" or an irregular surface.
They can be flesh-coloured, pink, or whitish.
In women, they can notably appear:
- on the vulva;
- around the entrance to the vagina;
- inside the vagina;
- on the cervix;
- in the perineal area;
- around or inside the anus.
Which HPV types cause genital warts?
Anogenital warts are mainly associated with so-called low oncogenic risk HPV types.
HPV types 6 and 11 are responsible for over 90% of genital warts, according to data cited by the CDC.
These HPV types are different from the main high-risk HPV types responsible for precancerous lesions and cancers.
For example:
- HPV 6 and 11: mainly associated with genital warts;
- HPV 16 and 18: among the main high-risk HPV types associated with HPV-related cancers.
This distinction is important to avoid excessive worry.
Does having genital warts mean having cancer?
No.
French recommendations endorsed by the Haute Autorité de Santé state that genital warts do not turn into malignant tumours.
However, several types of HPV can be present in the same person at the same time.
It is therefore possible to have genital warts linked to a low-risk HPV type and also be infected with an oncogenic HPV type.
The presence of genital warts therefore does not exempt you from cervical cancer screening when it is indicated.
How do you catch genital warts?
HPV is mainly transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin or mucous membrane-to-mucous membrane contact.
Transmission can occur notably:
- during vaginal intercourse;
- during anal intercourse;
- during genital contact without penetration;
- during oral sex.
Transmission therefore does not always require full penetration.
HPV is very common over the course of a sexual life.
Does a condom completely protect against genital warts?
No.
The condom reduces the risk of HPV transmission but does not eliminate it completely.
The reason is simple: the virus can be present on areas of skin or mucous membrane that are not covered by the condom.
This does not mean the condom is useless. It remains an important tool for preventing sexually transmitted infections.
How long after infection do genital warts appear?
The time between infection and the visible appearance of genital warts can vary.
It is therefore generally impossible to determine precisely when the infection occurred or which person transmitted the HPV.
The CDC also notes that partners have often shared the virus and that it is rarely possible to identify who was the source of the infection.
Finding genital warts within a couple is therefore not proof of infidelity.
Can HPV be transmitted without having visible genital warts?
Yes.
A person can transmit HPV while having no visible wart at all.
This is one of the reasons why HPV infection is extremely common.
Do genital warts cause symptoms?
They can be completely painless and discovered by chance.
Depending on their location and size, however, they can cause:
- itching;
- irritation;
- local discomfort;
- minor bleeding;
- discomfort during intercourse;
- aesthetic or psychological discomfort.
Not every genital lesion is a genital wart, however.
Are all small vulvar lesions genital warts?
No.
Several benign or dermatological lesions can resemble genital warts.
Diagnosis is most often clinical and relies on examination by a healthcare professional.
A biopsy may be discussed when the appearance is atypical, the diagnosis uncertain, or in certain specific situations.
Is an HPV test needed to diagnose a genital wart?
Not usually.
HPV tests used in cervical cancer screening mainly look for high oncogenic risk HPV types.
They are not intended for the diagnosis of genital warts.
The CDC specifies that HPV testing should not be used to diagnose genital warts or as a general STI test.
What are the treatments for genital warts?
Several treatment options exist.
Updated French recommendations endorsed by the HAS notably include:
- cryotherapy;
- podophyllotoxin;
- imiquimod;
- surgery;
- electrosurgery;
- CO₂ laser;
- trichloroacetic acid and other treatments in certain situations.
The choice depends notably on:
- the number of lesions;
- their size;
- their location;
- treatments already carried out;
- possible pregnancy;
- immune status;
- the patient's preferences.
There is no single treatment that is best for all patients.
Does treatment eliminate HPV?
Not necessarily.
The main aim of treatment is to make the visible lesions disappear, and, where present, the symptoms.
Treatments are not an antiviral therapy capable of immediately eradicating HPV from the body.
In many people, the infection becomes spontaneously undetectable over time under the effect of the immune response.
Why can genital warts come back after treatment?
Because removing a visible wart does not necessarily mean the virus has immediately disappeared from the surrounding tissue.
Recurrences are therefore possible, especially in the months following treatment.
A recurrence does not necessarily mean a new infection, nor does it mean the overall management has failed.
It may simply reflect the temporary persistence of the infection.
Can some genital warts be left untreated?
In certain situations, yes.
The CDC states that untreated genital warts can:
- disappear spontaneously;
- remain stable;
- increase in size or number.
The decision depends on location, number of lesions, symptoms, medical context, and the patient's wishes.
Monitoring should, however, only be decided after confirmation of the diagnosis.
Can you have genital warts during pregnancy?
Yes.
Genital warts can appear or increase in size during pregnancy.
Management must then be specifically adapted, as some topical treatments used outside pregnancy are not appropriate during it.
French recommendations provide a specific algorithm for pregnant women.
It is therefore important to report any pregnancy or possible pregnancy before treatment.
Do genital warts prevent a vaginal delivery?
Not automatically.
The presence of genital warts alone does not require a caesarean section.
The mode of delivery depends on the size and location of the lesions and the obstetric context.
An individualised decision is made with the obstetric team.
Should my partner be screened?
There is no routine HPV test recommended to look for the HPV types responsible for genital warts in an asymptomatic partner.
However, a partner can benefit from an examination if lesions are present, and from a discussion about screening for other STIs depending on the context.
Talking with your partner is useful, but you should avoid turning the diagnosis into a search for who is "responsible" for the infection.
Should other STIs be screened for when you have genital warts?
This can be relevant depending on sexual history and risk factors.
Finding one STI can be an opportunity to discuss appropriate screening for other sexually transmitted infections.
The assessment should be individualised.
Do genital warts change cervical cancer screening?
The presence of genital warts does not replace and does not automatically change the national cervical cancer screening schedule.
Cervical screening mainly looks for the consequences of persistent infection with high-risk HPV types.
It should therefore be continued according to age, history, and national recommendations.
Is HPV vaccination still useful after having had genital warts?
Vaccination does not treat genital warts that are already present and does not eliminate an existing HPV infection.
It can, however, protect against other HPV types the person has not yet been exposed to.
In France, the HAS has recommended, since 2025, catch-up HPV vaccination for unvaccinated young women and young men up to and including age 26.
The Gardasil 9 vaccine notably targets HPV types 6 and 11, responsible for the majority of genital warts, as well as several high-risk HPV types.
Vaccination does not replace cervical cancer screening.
Can you be vaccinated if you have already had genital warts?
Yes, depending on age and applicable vaccination recommendations.
A history of genital warts does not necessarily mean a person has already been exposed to all the HPV types covered by the vaccine.
Vaccination remains preventive: it is not a treatment for an infection that is already present.
HPV within a couple: should you worry?
HPV is extremely common.
Sexual partners often share the virus without knowing it.
Finding genital warts generally does not allow you to know:
- when the infection was acquired;
- from which partner it came;
- how long it has been present.
Hasty conclusions about how long ago the infection occurred, or about a partner's fidelity, should therefore be avoided.
When should you consult?
A consultation is recommended when the following appears:
- a new genital growth;
- a lesion that is increasing in size;
- several new lesions;
- bleeding;
- significant pain;
- a lesion with an unusual appearance;
- a lesion that persists despite treatment;
- a genital lesion during pregnancy.
A consultation allows the diagnosis to be confirmed and appropriate management to be chosen.
Key points to remember
Genital warts are benign lesions mainly linked to HPV types 6 and 11, which are low oncogenic risk HPV types.
They should not be confused with precancerous lesions linked to high-risk HPV types.
Transmission is possible even in the absence of visible warts, and a condom reduces the risk without eliminating it completely.
Several treatments are available, but they mainly target the visible lesions. Recurrences are therefore possible for as long as the infection persists.
Finding genital warts generally does not allow you to know when or by whom the HPV was transmitted.
Finally, HPV vaccination remains a major prevention tool and does not replace cervical cancer screening.
Medical information: this article provides general information and does not replace a consultation. Any new, atypical, painful, or persistent genital lesion, or one occurring during pregnancy, deserves medical assessment.
Medical and Institutional Sources
Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS), ANRS-MIE, CNS. Prise en charge thérapeutique des patients atteints de condylomes ano-génitaux. Recommandation de bonne pratique, validation 14 novembre 2024, mise en ligne 2 décembre 2024. https://www.has-sante.fr/jcms/p_3562508/fr/prise-en-charge-therapeutique-des-patients-atteints-de-condylomes-ano-genitaux
Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS). Papillomavirus (HPV) : le rattrapage vaccinal recommandé chez les femmes et les hommes jusqu'à 26 ans révolus. 13 mai 2025. https://www.has-sante.fr/jcms/p_3605077/fr/papillomavirus-hpv-le-rattrapage-vaccinal-recommande-chez-les-femmes-et-les-hommes-jusqu-a-26-ans-revolus
Organisation mondiale de la Santé (OMS). Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Informations sur les génotypes à bas et haut risque. https://www.who.int/teams/health-product-policy-and-standards/standards-and-specifications/norms-and-standards/vaccine-standardization/human-papillomavirus
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection — STI Treatment Guidelines. https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/hpv.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Anogenital Warts — STI Treatment Guidelines. https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/anogenital-warts.htm
Institut national du cancer (INCa). Prévenir les cancers liés aux HPV. Mise à jour 7 janvier 2026. https://www.cancer.fr/professionnels-de-sante/prevention-et-depistages/prevention/agents-infectieux/prevenir-les-cancers-lies-aux-hpv
Consult Dr. Yasmine Maazouzi at the Hôpital Privé Beauregard (23 Rue des Linots, Bât. B5 ICOGM, Marseille 13004) for a diagnosis and appropriate management.