Published on:
March 26, 2026
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. Over 200 types of HPV have been identified, and roughly 40 of them affect the genital area. Most people who contract HPV never develop symptoms. Their immune system clears the virus within one to two years without any intervention.
According to research published via the NCBI, about 90% of people exposed to HPV will not develop any clinical signs of infection. The virus spreads through skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and a person can pass it on without showing any signs. This silent transmission is why HPV circulates so widely among sexually active adults.
Condoms reduce the risk of HPV transmission but cannot eliminate it entirely. The virus can infect areas of skin that a condom does not cover, including the surrounding genital and anal skin. Other forms of contraception — the pill, the coil — offer no protection against HPV or any other sexually transmitted infection.
Genital warts, known medically as condylomata acuminata, are fleshy growths that appear on or around the genitals, anus, or upper thighs. They range from tiny flat spots to larger cauliflower-shaped clusters. Two specific HPV types — HPV 6 and HPV 11 — cause approximately 90% of all genital warts cases.
When one of these strains infects the surface layer of genital skin, it triggers excess cell growth. The result is the raised, textured bumps we recognise as warts. They can appear weeks, months, or sometimes years after the initial infection, which makes it difficult to pinpoint exactly when exposure happened. Some people carry the virus and develop warts only when their immune system comes under strain from illness, stress, or medication.
Not everyone infected with HPV 6 or HPV 11 develops visible warts. Your immune response plays a significant role. A healthy immune system may suppress the virus before warts ever appear, while conditions that weaken immunity — pregnancy, HIV, or immunosuppressive drugs — increase the likelihood of an outbreak. If you have noticed unusual bumps in the genital area, our genital warts service can provide a thorough assessment and discuss your treatment options.
HPV strains fall into two broad categories: low-risk and high-risk. Understanding the difference matters for your long-term health.
Low-risk strains include HPV 6 and HPV 11. These cause genital warts but do not lead to cancer. They alter skin cell growth in a limited, benign way. Although warts can be uncomfortable or cosmetically distressing, they do not transform into malignant tissue.
High-risk strains include HPV 16 and HPV 18, which together account for roughly 70% of cervical cancer cases. These strains do not typically cause visible warts. Instead, they can produce persistent infections that, over many years, lead to cellular changes in the cervix, anus, throat, or penis. Regular screening catches these changes early. If you have a cervix, attending your scheduled smear test is one of the most effective ways to detect high-risk HPV before it causes harm.
You can carry more than one HPV type at the same time. Having genital warts does not mean you also harbour a high-risk strain, but the two can coexist. Clinicians treat wart management and cancer screening as separate but complementary concerns.
HPV transmits primarily through direct skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity. Penetrative sex is not the only route. Genital-to-genital touching and, in some cases, hand-to-genital contact can pass the virus. Oral sex can transmit HPV to the mouth and throat as well.
Several factors increase your risk of contracting genital HPV:
One thing that catches many people off guard: HPV can transmit even when no warts are visible. A person may carry the virus asymptomatically and pass it on without any awareness. This silent transmission explains the virus's prevalence. Estimates suggest that most sexually active adults will encounter at least one HPV type during their lifetime.
Using condoms consistently lowers transmission risk, though protection is not complete because HPV lives on skin the condom does not cover. The Terrence Higgins Trust notes that only skin covered by a condom is protected, and other contraceptive methods such as the pill provide no barrier against sexually transmitted infections.
A clinician can usually diagnose genital warts through a visual examination alone. In some cases, they may apply a mild acetic acid solution to the area, which turns wart tissue white and makes it easier to identify. Biopsy is rarely necessary unless the appearance is unusual or other conditions need ruling out.
Podophyllotoxin and imiquimod are the two most commonly prescribed topical options. Podophyllotoxin destroys wart tissue directly. Imiquimod takes a different approach, stimulating your local immune response to fight the virus in the affected area. Both are applied at home over a course of several weeks.
For larger or more stubborn warts, physical removal methods include cryotherapy (freezing with liquid nitrogen), electrocautery (heat-based removal), laser therapy, and surgical excision. Your clinician will recommend an approach based on the number, size, and location of warts.
A crucial point about all treatments: removing warts does not remove the underlying HPV infection. The virus can remain in surrounding skin cells even after warts have cleared. This means warts can recur, particularly in the first few months after treatment. Studies suggest that 20–30% of people experience warts returning after their initial round of treatment.
Some people choose not to treat small, painless warts and wait for their immune system to suppress the virus over time. That is a valid approach, and your clinician can help you weigh up the advantages and disadvantages based on your specific situation. There is no antiviral medication that cures HPV itself. Treatment targets the symptoms while your body works to control the virus.
The HPV vaccine is the single most effective tool for preventing both genital warts and HPV-related cancers. The vaccine used in the UK — Gardasil 9 — protects against nine HPV types, including HPV 6 and 11 (responsible for most genital warts) and HPV 16 and 18 (responsible for most HPV-related cancers).
The NHS offers the vaccine to children aged 12–13 as part of the routine immunisation schedule. If you missed this window, or if you want protection beyond the NHS programme, private vaccination is available. The vaccine works best before exposure to HPV, which is why it is offered before most young people become sexually active. However, adults who have not been exposed to all the HPV types covered by the vaccine can still benefit. Adults up to 45 and sometimes beyond may gain some protection depending on their individual circumstances.
Beyond vaccination, practical steps to reduce your risk include:
Vaccination and screening complement each other. The vaccine prevents infection with specific HPV types, while screening detects cellular changes caused by strains you may have already encountered. Both strategies work best when used together.
You should consult a healthcare professional if you notice any unusual bumps, lumps, or textured skin changes in your genital area. While genital warts are benign, other conditions — including molluscum contagiosum, skin tags, and in rare cases certain cancers — can look similar without trained assessment. A clinician can give you a definitive diagnosis and outline appropriate next steps.
Seek medical advice if warts are causing discomfort, bleeding, or emotional distress, or if they persist despite treatment. Pregnant women with genital warts should discuss management with their healthcare provider, as treatment options may differ during pregnancy. For men, screening for HPV-related conditions is less standardised, but any concerns about genital or anal warts warrant a consultation.
Early assessment removes uncertainty. Knowing whether you are dealing with a low-risk HPV strain, a benign skin change, or something that needs closer monitoring allows you and your clinician to make informed decisions about your care.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. If you have concerns about any symptoms mentioned in this article, please speak with your GP or book a consultation with a clinician.
No. HPV refers to a group of over 200 viruses. Genital warts are a symptom caused by specific low-risk HPV strains, primarily HPV 6 and HPV 11. Most people with HPV never develop warts at all. The virus and the warts it sometimes produces are related but distinct.
The HPV strains that cause genital warts — HPV 6 and HPV 11 — are classified as low-risk and do not cause cancer. High-risk strains such as HPV 16 and HPV 18 can lead to cervical, anal, and other cancers, but those strains rarely produce visible warts. You can carry both low-risk and high-risk strains simultaneously, which is why screening remains important even if you have had genital warts.
The HPV vaccine protects against the most common wart-causing strains (HPV 6 and HPV 11). If you received the vaccine before exposure, your risk drops substantially. Less common HPV strains can also cause warts in rare cases, but vaccination remains the most effective preventive measure available.
Warts can appear anywhere from three weeks to several months after infection. In some cases, the virus lies dormant for years before an outbreak occurs. Many people never develop visible warts despite carrying the virus, because their immune system keeps it suppressed.
There is no routine HPV test for men in the UK. Women are tested for high-risk HPV as part of cervical screening. If you or your partner has genital warts, the virus may have been transmitted between you. Both of you should discuss the situation with a healthcare professional to understand your options for monitoring and prevention.
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is based on NHS recommendations. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider for advice on medical conditions or treatments.
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