​HPV and genital warts

HPV is really common. It’s the most common STI worldwide.

Most people will come in contact with HPV at some point in their lives.

You can get HPV from having unprotected vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex, or close skin to skin contact with someone. Unprotected sex is when you have sex without a condom, or oral dam. 

There are many types of HPV. Most don’t cause any issues. But some lead to genital warts. And some types of HPV can lead to cancer of the:

• Cervix
• Vulva
• Penis
• Anus
• Throat  

Protect yourself from HPV with the HPV vaccination. It’s free for people aged 9-26.

If you have a cervix, get regular cervical screening to test for the cancer-causing strains of HPV. You can now do an HPV self-test – and some people can have a self-test sent out to them.  

The type of HPV that can lead to genital warts is often very difficult to notice. Many people with this type of HPV will not develop genital warts. For other people, it will be weeks or months before any genital warts appear.

Genital warts look like small skin-coloured lumps on your vulva, vagina, cervix, penis, scrotum, or anus. Sometimes they can feel itchy. Genital warts are hard to see a lot of the time — a nurse or doctor can check you more closely and accurately for genital warts. 

The types of HPV that can lead to cancer doesn’t usually show any obvious signs of infection. This is why HPV vaccination and regular cervical screening are so important! 

HPV vaccination is for everyone. It’s now free for all New Zealand residents – including people with a penis – aged 9-26.

Cervical screening is for people with a cervix.  

The only way to find out for sure if you have genital warts is to be examined by a health professional. Warts have a very obvious appearance. They can usually be diagnosed just by looking at them.

Occasionally if the wart looks unusual, a skin biopsy will be taken — to rule out other causes. 

Genital warts (HPV) and fertility

Research shows that HPV can affect sperm quality. It's not yet clear how it might affect other areas of fertility (your ability to get pregnant).

Genital warts (HPV) and pregnancy

Sometimes, you can have HPV but without any symptoms. This is called a latent infection.

When you're pregnant, your immune system is suppressed, and this can make that latent infection develop into warts – or it can make your existing warts more troublesome. Some research suggests that HPV can cause some complications during pregnancy, including:

• miscarriage
• your baby is born early
• your water breaks early
• you develop pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorder.

If you have HPV, talk to your doctor about how to plan for the best chances of a healthy pregnancy.

Genital warts (HPV) and pēpi

It's possible for HPV to be transmitted to your baby, but this usually clears up on its own. Sometimes HPV can cause a serious health condition called recurrent respiratory papillomatosis – but this quite rare.

What can you do?

If you're worried you might have HPV or genital warts, get an STI test and find out how genital warts (HPV) is treated.

There’s no treatment for HPV. Your body’s immune system usually fights it off. But there is treatment for genital warts and the abnormal cells that can lead to cancer. 

Genital warts will often clear up on their own over time. Treatment can help warts clear up but is usually only needed if the warts are causing problems, for example: bleeding, pain, or embarrassment.

Some common treatments are:   

• A cream that helps your immune system fight the virus 
• A liquid that kills the infected cells  
• Freezing the warts off with liquid nitrogen 
• Diathermy (heat) 

Sometimes it takes a few different treatments, or visits, for the warts to clear up.  

Cervical screening tests for the types of HPV that can lead to cancer. Getting regular cervical screening helps us spot any cell changes and treat them early – before they develop into cancer. 
 
You need regular cervical screening if you have ever had sex and you are both:

• A person with a cervix
• 25-69 years old 

Getting the HPV vaccine is a great way to protect yourself from HPV. The HPV vaccine is free for all New Zealand residents aged 9-26.

Using condoms and oral dams, are also good protection against HPV, genital warts, and other STIs. 

If you have symptoms of genital warts or another STI, the best thing to do is make an appointment to see us in person. We can check and give you treatment if you need.

Regular cervical screening helps us see if you have the types of HPV that can lead to cervical cancer. 

If you find out that you have genital warts, don’t stress — most warts go away by themselves over time. If you are really worried, book an appointment with us — one of our doctors or nurses will help you.

It’s a good idea to use condoms or oral dams when you have sex — this will help reduce the spread of HPV and genital warts from person to person.  

Cervical screening tests for the types of HPV that can lead to cancer. Getting regular cervical screening helps us spot any cell changes and treat them early – before they develop into cancer. 
 
HPV testing isn’t available for people without a cervix. 

Testing positive for HPV doesn’t mean you have cervical cancer – or that you’ll develop genital warts.

There are lots of different strains of HPV. Most don’t cause any issues and many clear on their own. But some lead to genital warts. And some can develop into cancer. Cervical screening helps us see what needs extra follow-up. If you do develop genital warts, they can be treated – but many go away on their own. 

Find out more about cervical screening 

We can help you protect yourself from HPV and genital warts, as well as providing testing and treatment. 
 
Find out about:

• STI testing and treatment
• Cervical screening and HPV testing
• HPV vaccination