Warts

You might see or feel them, or your partner(s) might notice them. Often they are so tiny, or so difficult to see, that you don’t even know you have them.

They can be flat or smooth small bumps or quite large, pink, cauliflower-like lumps. Warts can appear on their own or in groups.

It is possible once the visible warts have gone the virus may continue to live in the cells of the skin for some time (sometimes for years) and may cause warts again at a later stage.

It is more common to pass on warts when they are present, but they can be passed on before the warts appear and once they have gone.

Genital warts are one of the most common STIs. Although they are not nice to look at, they do not cause any serious problems.

No. The types of HPV that cause genital warts do not cause cancer.

No, warts do not affect fertility.