Condylomata acuminata; Penile warts; Human papilloma virus (HPV); Venereal warts; Condyloma; HPV DNA test; Sexually transmitted disease (STD)

Genital warts must be treated by a doctor. Do NOT use over-the-counter remedies meant for other kinds of warts.

Your doctor may treat genital warts by applying a skin treatment in the office. Or, the doctor may prescribe a medication that you apply at home several times per week. These treatments include:

• Imiquimod (Aldara)
• Podophyllin and podofilox (Condylox)
• Trichloroacetic acid (TCA)

Surgical treatments include:

• Cryosurgery
• Electrocauterization
• Laser therapy
• Surgical excision (cutting them out)

If you develop genital warts, all of your sexual partners must be examined by a health care provider and treated if genital warts are found.

After your first treatment, your doctor will schedule follow-up examinations to see if the warts have returned.

Women who have had genital warts, and women whose partners have ever had genital warts, should have Pap smears at least once a year. For warts on the cervix, women may need to have Pap smears every 3 to 6 months after the first treatment.

Women with precancerous changes caused by HPV infection may need further treatment.

Young women and girls ages 9 - 26 shoul be vaccinated against HPV.

Images

Female reproductive anatomy

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Review Date: 12/22/2010
Reviewed By: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)