Genital warts are small growths that can occur when infected with human papillomavirus (HPV). Many forms of treatment exist, including creams and injections. Healthcare providers can also freeze, burn, or surgically remove genital warts.

The growths go away on their own in about 20% of cases, but you should always see a healthcare provider if you have anal warts, vaginal warts, or other symptoms of HPV.

1. Topical Creams and Liquids

Your healthcare provider may prescribe a cream or liquid to apply to your genital warts. These solutions have chemicals in them that make the warts go away. Never use over-the-counter medications for warts on the hands or feet to treat genital warts.

Three common topical prescription medications include:

• Aldara (Imiquimod)
• Condylox (Podophyllotoxin)
• Veregen (Sinecatechins)

Creams and liquids can take several weeks to work, and you need to apply them consistently. They can also cause some side effects, including pain, irritation, and burning.

2. Freezing (Cryotherapy)

Cryotherapy is one of the fastest ways to get rid of genital warts. Your healthcare provider will touch the wart with liquid nitrogen, freezing and killing the tissue. Oftentimes, this procedure has to be repeated until the warts disappear entirely.

One study found that 50% of the female study participants had their warts disappear after three cryotherapy treatments. Overall, treatments were effective for 94% of the participants, and only 10% had a recurrence of the warts. A downside to freezing is that it can be painful and must be done multiple times to take effect.

3. Laser Treatments

Laser treatments use a targeted light beam to kill genital warts. They are generally recommended if medications have not worked, if the warts are widespread, or if a pregnant person needs treatment. Laser treatments are effective, but warts can still come back.

The skin can take up to four weeks to heal from this treatment. You’ll need to avoid sexual intercourse for one to three weeks after the procedure or until your soreness has gone away.

4. Interferon Injection

An interferon injection helps the body fight off viral infections, including HPV. For genital warts, the injection is given at home three times a week for up to 16 weeks. A healthcare provider will show you how to administer the shot.

Unlike other treatments that target genital warts (a symptom of HPV), interferon injections fight HPV at a systemic level. A downside to this treatment is that people will need to be comfortable administering shots to themselves. In addition, it’s not safe during pregnancy and is associated with rare but serious mental health side effects.

5. Trichloroacetic Acid (TCA)

Trichloroacetic acid kills wart tissue. It’s applied to the warts once a week in a healthcare provider’s office and repeated for four to six weeks or until the warts disappear.

TCA can cause side effects, including pain and burning, but it’s safe during pregnancy, unlike some other genital warts treatments.

6. Surgery

During surgery, healthcare providers cut away wart tissue. This process is called excision, and they often do this at the same time that they do other treatments, including freezing or laser treatments. Surgery is usually recommended if people have lots of genital warts or have warts on their vagina, anus, or urethra.

Most surgeries are outpatient procedures done with a local anesthetic. However, if you have many warts, your surgery may take place in the operating room and under more powerful anesthesia.

Self-Care Methods for Relief

Some people find that they’re not bothered by their genital warts. For others, the warts are uncomfortable or painful. Some tips to help you care for genital warts include:

• Keep them dry: Allow your skin to air dry after a bath or shower, especially if using a towel is painful.
• Do not shave near warts: You might accidentally cut yourself.
• Only use treatments designed for genital warts: Do not apply over-the-counter wart treatments.
• Practice safe sex: Using a condom can help prevent the spread of HPV.

How Do Genital Warts Affect Pregnancy?

Genital warts are not usually harmful during pregnancy. Warts may grow faster during pregnancy, but they do not pose a serious health risk to you or your baby. In some rare cases, they may be passed onto the baby, but they can recover with early medical intervention from a healthcare provider. Treatment is often delayed until after birth since genital warts in pregnancy clear up on their own in about six weeks.

How to Prevent Spreading the Infection

Treating genital warts helps decrease the risk of passing HPV to sexual partners. However, even if your warts go away, you still have HPV and can risk passing it on. Using a condom during sex can cut down on the risk of transmitting the infection. Getting vaccinated before being exposed to HPV can also drastically reduce the risk of contracting the infection.

Summary

There are many treatments for genital warts, though there’s no cure for HPV, the virus that causes the warts. Using treatments like prescription creams, freezing, laser treatment, surgery, or injections can make you more comfortable and reduce the chance of passing HPV to sexual partners. Discuss your treatment options with a provider, especially if you are pregnant.