Most people who become infected with HPV will have no symptoms and will never know that they have it. In 9 out of 10 cases, the virus will go away on its own. However, some strains of the HPV virus can cause genital warts.
Genital warts may appear in several areas, including:
- Penis, including under the foreskin in men who are uncircumcised
- Scrotum
- Groin
- Upper thighs
- Around the vulva, or the opening of the vagina
- On the cervix, or the lower end of the uterus
- Inside the vagina
- Inside or around the anus
They can also grow inside the urethra, the tube that excretes urine from the body. And people who have oral sex with someone who has genital warts can develop them inside the mouth and on the lips, tongue, or throat.
Genital warts vary in appearance. You might be able to see them clearly, or they may be too small to notice. Most warts are extremely small and soft to the touch when they first develop. However, you may be able to feel them even if they are very small. They may also have these characteristics:
- Be skin-colored or darker than a person’s natural skin tone
- Appear as a raised bump or a group of bumps (if the genital warts cluster together, it can look like a cauliflower shape; they may form in large clusters in people with immune system problems)
- Grow very large and resemble a stalk
Genital warts are usually not painful. However, they may cause other symptoms:
- Increased vaginal discharge
- Bleeding from the vagina, anus, or urethra, especially during sex
- Discomfort, itching, or irritation around the genitals
Genital warts and other HPV symptoms may take years to appear after contracting the virus. This can make identifying the moment you got genital warts difficult. However, the virus can still pass from one person to the next during this symptom-free period.
Not every bump that appears on the penis, vagina, or anus is a genital wart. Other conditions can cause similar symptoms, including:
- Benign nevi, or moles
- Familial benign pemphigus
- Herpes simplex infection
- Secondary syphilis
- Vulvar neurofibromatosis
See a healthcare professional right away if you notice any new growths on your genitals or the surrounding areas.
Read the full article here
