Genital Warts Treatment

Genital warts are small, skin-coloured growths that appear on or around the genital and anal areas. They are a type of sexually transmitted infection (STI), passed on through unprotected vaginal, anal, or sometimes oral sex. These warts can be so tiny that they go unnoticed, especially if they’re inside the vagina in women or the urethra in men.

Symptoms usually develop between a few weeks and several months after exposure. Genital warts are usually painless but may cause itching or slight discomfort. Although they can be frustrating to deal with, they are generally not dangerous.

Genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are many different strains of HPV, but types 6 and 11 are responsible for about 90% of genital wart cases. While some strains of HPV are linked to cancers, the types that cause genital warts are low-risk and rarely lead to anything serious like cervical cancer.

HPV spreads through close skin-to-skin contact during unprotected sex. You cannot catch genital warts from kissing, sharing towels, or sitting on toilet seats — these are common myths. Most people who received the HPV vaccine during secondary school (usually around age 14–15) are protected against the types that cause genital warts.

At PharmXtra, we offer clinically approved treatments to help manage and clear genital warts effectively. While genital warts are not dangerous, they are highly contagious and can cause itching or irritation. Treatment helps ease symptoms and reduce the risk of spreading the virus to others.

Most cases of genital warts can be treated at home with medicated creams or liquids. However, if the warts are large or located in difficult areas, you may need treatment from a healthcare professional, such as freezing, laser removal, or minor surgery. These procedures should only be carried out by a trained medical professional.

It’s important to know that treatments remove the visible warts but do not cure the virus itself. This means warts may return over time. To help prevent reinfection or passing the virus on, always use condoms and avoid sharing sex toys unless properly cleaned.