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What Are Genital Warts?

Genital warts (Condylomata acuminata) are one of the common most sexually transmitted infections affecting at least 20 million Americans. As many as a 6.2 million people contract genital warts each year; pregnant women and people with impaired immune systems are more susceptible than is the general population to this infection.

Sometimes what appear to be genital warts are merely accumulations of normal skin that have no medical significance; about 1 in 100 men have these. But because genital warts are contagious, you should see a doctor if you discover any such growths.

What Causes Them?

Genital warts are caused by the human papilloma virus, or HPV. There are over 100 different types of HPV and only some cause genital warts. About 30 types are spread by sexual contact. Other types cause warts on the hands, feet, and face. These types of HPV do not cause genital warts. The virus lives inside your body's cells, where it replicates; eventually the virus breaks out of its original host cell to infect other cells.

Genital warts are highly contagious and are transmitted by oral, vaginal or anal sex with an infected partner. Approximately two-thirds of people who are intimate with an infected partner will get genital warts within 3 months of contact.

There appears to be some link between genital HPV and cervical cancer. About 10 of the 30 genital HPV types are considered “high risk” and can cause cervical cancer. These high risk types are evident by special testing and Pap smears. The types that cause visible genital warts are “low risk” and less likely to result in cervical cancer. Regular Pap smear testing is critical to ensure that changes in the cervix related to HPV do not develop into cervical cancer. Most women who develop aggressive cervical cancer have not had regular cervical cancer screening.