Are genital warts curable?

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Genital warts are lumps that appear around your genital area that cause a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. Although there is no cure for the virus that causes genital warts, there are treatments available for outbreaks and ways to help prevent the condition entirely in some cases.

Causes

Genital warts are caused by a virus known as human papillomavirus (HPV). According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 20 million Americans have HPV, and more than 2 million more become infected every year.

Spread of HPV

HPV is a sexually transmitted disease spread through contact with the genitals during oral, vaginal or anal intercourse. The CDC estimates that roughly two-thirds of people who have intercourse with a HPV-infected partner contract the virus.

Symptoms

Genital warts are usually small, hard flesh-colored or gray lumps that appear individually or in large groups that resemble a cauliflower shape. Warts can be itchy and may bleed during sexual intercourse.

Treatment

Up to 30 percent of genital warts outbreaks go away without any treatment, according to the Mayo Clinic. When treatment is needed or desired, options include prescription medication like Aldara or Condylox, freezing or cryotherapy, removal with electrical current or electrocautery, or surgery performed with lasers or an incision.

Prevention

Using a condom during all types of intercourse greatly reduces your risk of contracting HPV and developing genital warts. For women, the Gardasil vaccine prevents two strains of HPV that are responsible for 90 percent of genital wart infections, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Source

Mayo Clinic: Genital Warts

CDC: HPV

CDC: HPV Vaccine

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