Genital warts are one of the most common sexually transmissible infections (STIs). They are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are over 100 strains of HPV, but only some affect the genitals and not all cause visible warts. Genital warts can appear around the genitals and anus or, sometimes, inside the vagina, rectum or urethra.
Genital warts appear as painless growths and may be:
In many cases, HPV is a ‘subclinical’ infection. This means that you may be carrying HPV on your skin, even though you do not have any visible warts. Subclinical HPV infection is common in both women and men, but is detected more often in women through a cervical screening test.
HPV is spread by direct skin-to-skin contact during vaginal or anal sex. It is also possible, but rare, to transmit HPV to the mouth by oral sex. Infection may occur after direct contact with a visible wart or contact with genital skin where the virus is present.
Warts may appear within a few weeks after sex with a person who has HPV, or they may take months to appear, or they may never appear. This can make it hard to know when or from whom you got the virus.
It is important to remember that treatment does not get rid of the virus. It only treats the visible warts. For most people, the body’s natural immunity will get rid of the virus over time.
Treatment aims to remove visible warts so that the area looks more cosmetically acceptable. Always consult your doctor about any treatments. Over-the-counter wart treatments are not suitable for genital warts.
Treatment options include:
After treatment for warts, remember:
Certain types of HPV can infect the cervix and cause cell changes that may, over many years, increase your risk of cervical cancer if the body is not successful in clearing the virus naturally. The types of HPV that cause visible genital warts cannot progress to cervical cancer.
The National Cervical Screening Program recommends that all women aged between 25 and 70 years who have ever been sexually active should have a cervical screening test every five years, even if they've had the HPV vaccine.
The cervical screening test is a screening tool used to detect HPV on the cervix that may lead to cervical cancer.
Most HPV found on the cervix will clear naturally without treatment. However, some high-risk types require closer monitoring and may need treatment to remove them. Your doctor will advise you about this if necessary.
There are two HPV vaccine brands available in Australia to help prevent cervical cancer: Cervarix® and Gardasil®9. Both vaccines work by preventing infection with two types of HPV -- types 16 and 18. These two types have been shown to cause 70 per cent of cervical cancers.
Gardasil®9 provides protection against nine types of HPV. In addition to types 16 and 18, it also protects against HPV types 6 and 11, which cause almost all genital warts, and types 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58, which cause an additional 15 per cent of all cervical cancers. Gardasil®9 replaces the Gardasil® vaccine (which protected against the four types of HPV -- types 6, 11, 16 and 18) from 2018.
Immunisation with Gardasil®9 vaccine involves a course of two injections a minimum of six months apart for children aged 12 to 13 years to under 15 years of age as part of the Year 7 secondary school vaccine program, or three injections over a six month period for people from 15 years of age.
Immunocompromised individuals require three doses of the HPV vaccine to attain adequate protection regardless of their age. The doses should be given with a minimum interval of two months between doses one and two and a minimum of four months between doses two and three.
In Victoria, the HPV vaccine is available free of charge under the National Immunisation Program for all adolescents in Year 7 of secondary school (aged 12--13 years). The two-dose course of the vaccine is given at school, or can also be given by a local doctor or at a council immunisation session.
The vaccine provides best protection if it is completed before a person becomes sexually active.
The benefit of the vaccine may be reduced for older men and women who have already had sex. Talk to your doctor about whether or not the vaccine may be beneficial for you and whether you are age eligible for the free vaccine or require a prescription.
You can help reduce the risk of spreading genital warts by using condoms during anal or vaginal sex. However, condoms only protect the area of skin that they cover. This is because condoms do not cover all the genital skin that is exposed during sexual contact.
Condoms for men can be bought from supermarkets, pharmacies and other outlets. Female condoms are available through Family Planning Victoria and may be available from selected shops. Latex-free condoms are also available from some outlets. Male condoms and lubricant are available free from the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre, along with female condoms on request.
Remember that transmission of genital warts can occur when a wart is present, but may also occur even if there are no genital symptoms.
The benefits of condoms are less clear if you are in a regular sexual relationship, especially if you and your partner have warts. Discuss this issue with your doctor or with a nurse at an STI clinic.
Reference: Genital Warts and Human Papillomavirus (HPV)