Genital Warts and HPV in Men

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesAppearanceHPV Without Genital Warts?DiagnosisTreatmentPreventionComplications

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Causes

Appearance

HPV Without Genital Warts?

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Complications

Causes of Genital Warts

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were approximately 42 million HPV infections in 2018 with an estimated 13 million new cases.

What They Look Like

Genital warts are small, flesh-colored, cauliflower-shaped growths. They don’t cause pain or discomfort.

Males infected with HPV do not get warts as often as females do. When they occur in males, warts usually appear on the tip of the penis but may also appear on the shaft. Warts can also appear on the scrotum or around the anus (even without anal sex).

Sometimes HPV infections can be found around and inside the mouth and in the throat of those who have had oral sex with an infected person.

2:00Click Play to Learn More About Genital Warts and HPV

2:00

Click Play to Learn More About Genital Warts and HPV

Can You Have HPV But Not Genital Warts?

Yes. Studies have indicated that it is common for both men and women to have HPV without symptoms.You can infect others even if you don’t have symptoms. Once you become infected, it can take up to three months for genital warts to appear.

According to the CDC, HPV is so common that nearly all sexually active males and females will come in contact with the virus at some point in their lives.

In some cases, a biopsy may be needed if the diagnosis is uncertain.

Often, the virus is not detected with standard testing, but it can still be spread during sexual activity even with a negative test.

If you believe you have been in contact with HPV and are experiencing symptoms, see a healthcare provider who will be able to advise you on treatment.

Unfortunately, like most viruses, there is no treatment that will get rid of the HPV virus itself. But in most cases, HPV goes away on its own and usually does not cause any health problems.

Genital warts can be treated, but they may reappear at a later stage. Treatment for genital warts depends on size and location.

Treatments include the following prescription medications:

It’s possible to experience some pain or skin irritation after applying these topical medications, especially 5-fluorouracil cream. Consult your healthcare provider if you have an uncomfortable reaction to any of these treatments.

The anti-viral drug alpha-interferon can also be used either systemically or locally (injected directly into the warts). However, the drug is very expensive and research studies investigating effectiveness have yielded mixed results.

You may require more than one type of treatment to make the warts go away permanently.

There is currently oneHPV vaccine(Gardasil-9) available in the U.S. It is approved for males and females ages 9 to 45 to help prevent infection. The vaccine is most effective when given before HPV exposure. Therefore, it is primarily recommended for those 26 and younger.

As previously mentioned, there is no treatment currently available for the HPV virus itself, but the virus often resolves on its own.Genital warts, a symptom of the disease, do respond to treatment, but they can reoccur.

Treatment for genital warts should be sought and completed before resuming sexual contact.

Can Condoms Prevent Genital Wart Infection?

Good hygiene is important. Keep your genitals clean and dry, and do not use scented soaps and bath oils, as these may irritate warts. If your partner uses vaginal deodorants, they should know that these can also be irritating.

Possible Complications

If a partner has abnormal cervical cells detected in aPap test, it is important that they have regular pelvic examinations and Pap tests so that cancer can be treated as quickly as possible. Early detection of cancer increases cure rates.

9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.World Health Organization.Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates in the United States.Yanofsky VR, Patel RV, Goldenberg G.Genital warts: a comprehensive review.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012;5(6):25–36.Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital HPV infection.Anggraini I, Hoemardani AS, Nilasari H, Indriatmi W.Randomised controlled trial of 1% and 5% 5-fluorouracil creams compared with 90% trichloroacetic acid solution for anogenital wart treatment.Int J STD AIDS. 2020;31(9):849-858. doi:10.1177/0956462420925250Yang J, Pu YG, Zeng ZM, Yu ZJ, Huang N, Deng QW.Interferon for the treatment of genital warts: a systematic review.BMC Infect Dis. 2009;9:156. doi:10.1186/1471-2334-9-156National Cervical Cancer Coalition.Cervical cancer overview.

9 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.World Health Organization.Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates in the United States.Yanofsky VR, Patel RV, Goldenberg G.Genital warts: a comprehensive review.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012;5(6):25–36.Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital HPV infection.Anggraini I, Hoemardani AS, Nilasari H, Indriatmi W.Randomised controlled trial of 1% and 5% 5-fluorouracil creams compared with 90% trichloroacetic acid solution for anogenital wart treatment.Int J STD AIDS. 2020;31(9):849-858. doi:10.1177/0956462420925250Yang J, Pu YG, Zeng ZM, Yu ZJ, Huang N, Deng QW.Interferon for the treatment of genital warts: a systematic review.BMC Infect Dis. 2009;9:156. doi:10.1186/1471-2334-9-156National Cervical Cancer Coalition.Cervical cancer overview.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

World Health Organization.Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates in the United States.Yanofsky VR, Patel RV, Goldenberg G.Genital warts: a comprehensive review.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012;5(6):25–36.Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital HPV infection.Anggraini I, Hoemardani AS, Nilasari H, Indriatmi W.Randomised controlled trial of 1% and 5% 5-fluorouracil creams compared with 90% trichloroacetic acid solution for anogenital wart treatment.Int J STD AIDS. 2020;31(9):849-858. doi:10.1177/0956462420925250Yang J, Pu YG, Zeng ZM, Yu ZJ, Huang N, Deng QW.Interferon for the treatment of genital warts: a systematic review.BMC Infect Dis. 2009;9:156. doi:10.1186/1471-2334-9-156National Cervical Cancer Coalition.Cervical cancer overview.

World Health Organization.Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections prevalence, incidence, and cost estimates in the United States.

Yanofsky VR, Patel RV, Goldenberg G.Genital warts: a comprehensive review.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012;5(6):25–36.

Workowski KA, Bachmann LH, Chan PA, et al.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021.MMWR Recomm Rep. 2021;70(4):1-187. doi:10.15585/mmwr.rr7004a1

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Genital HPV infection.

Anggraini I, Hoemardani AS, Nilasari H, Indriatmi W.Randomised controlled trial of 1% and 5% 5-fluorouracil creams compared with 90% trichloroacetic acid solution for anogenital wart treatment.Int J STD AIDS. 2020;31(9):849-858. doi:10.1177/0956462420925250

Yang J, Pu YG, Zeng ZM, Yu ZJ, Huang N, Deng QW.Interferon for the treatment of genital warts: a systematic review.BMC Infect Dis. 2009;9:156. doi:10.1186/1471-2334-9-156

National Cervical Cancer Coalition.Cervical cancer overview.

Meet Our Medical Expert Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit

What is your feedback?