HPV is the human papilloma virus – this can cause genital warts. There are many different types of HPV, some of which you can be vaccinated against.
Symptoms: Genital warts are small, rough growths, bumps or skin changes around your genitals, anus or upper thighs. See here for pictures of what they may look like.
The warts may appear on their own or in groups, and in a range of colours – white, red, skin-coloured or darker than the surrounding skin. They may sometimes be painful, itchy or bleed.
Other symptoms may include pain/discomfort during sex or problems peeing.
Transmission: skin to skin contact (including during sex), sharing sex toys, and sometimes oral sex (but this is rare!)
Testing: Genital warts are diagnosed by a doctor or nurse at the sexual health clinic looking at the lumps around your genitals and anus.
Treatment: Sometimes warts will disappear within 6 months without treatment.
Some people are recommended treatment and this may be: cream/ointment to apply to the genital warts, freezing/cryotherapy or surgery with local anaesthetic to remove them.
HPV vaccination: The HPV vaccine is now offered to all 12-13 year olds in England and protects against genital warts and some cervical or anal cancers.
The HPV vaccine is also offered to men who have sex with men, some trans men and women, sex workers and people living with HIV (aged 45 and under)
