HPV and genital warts

Human papillomavirus (known as “HPV” for short) is the most common sexually transmissible infection (STI) in the world.

There are many different strains of HPV, and most of them don’t cause harm. Most people will come in contact with a strain of HPV at some point in their lives. 

Some strains of HPV can cause genital warts and other strains can cause some types of cancer. The HPV vaccine can protect you against the types of HPV that cause most genital warts and HPV-related cancers.

The HPV vaccine is free in Aotearoa New Zealand if you’re 26 years or under. 

Do I need an STI test?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is very common. You can get HPV from close skin-to-skin contact with someone, or from vaginal sex, anal sex, or oral sex. 

There are about 150 different types of HPV. Most genital warts are caused by HPV Types 6 and 11.

Genital warts look like small skin-coloured lumps on your vulva, penis, or scrotum, or within your vagina, cervix, or anus. Most of the HPV types that cause genital warts are not associated with cancer. 

Some types of HPV (such as Types 16 and 18) can lead to cancer of the cervix, vulva, penis, anus, or throat.  

Most sexually active people who haven’t had the HPV vaccine, get HPV. Most have no symptoms but can still pass the infection on to their partners or sexual contacts. 

The type of HPV that can lead to cancer doesn’t usually show any obvious signs of infection — that’s why having the HPV vaccination and getting regular HPV screening is so important.   

The type of HPV that can lead to genital warts is often very difficult to detect. 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 can be hard to see. But they look like small skin-coloured lumps. They may be raised or flat, small or large. Some cluster together, forming a cauliflower-like shape. Sometimes they can feel itchy. 

Lots of people with HPV don’t have any symptoms, and HPV can’t be detected as part of an STI test.

But if you’re over 25 and you have a cervix, cervical screening can help detect the types of virus that can cause cervical cancer.

Learn more about cervical screening

Genital warts look distinctive, but they can be hard to see yourself. The only way to find out for sure if you have them is to be examined by a health professional.

Genital warts can usually be diagnosed just by a nurse or doctor looking at them. Sometimes, if the wart looks unusual, they may take a skin sample to check for other causes.

If you have symptoms of an STI, make an appointment with:

• your usual doctor
• a medical centre
• Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa
• a sexual health clinic   

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Genital warts often heal on their own and go away over time.

If the warts are causing you problems, like irritation or embarrassment, or they’re making you uncomfortable, you can see your usual doctor or another treatment provider to get treatment. 

This could include:  

• using a liquid applied to visible warts that kills the infected cells   
• using a cream in the affected area that helps your immune system fight the virus  
• a nurse or doctor freezing the warts off with liquid nitrogen (known as “cryotherapy”) 

Most of the time, genital warts don’t clear up the first time they’re treated. You might need to try a few times, or try a different treatment.

The safe way to protect yourself from HPV, including the type of HPV that causes genital warts, is getting the HPV vaccine. This vaccine is free for New Zealand residents aged from 9 to 26 years old. 

Regular HPV screening, also called cervical screening or getting a smear, is also an important step to prevent cervical cancer. 

Condoms and oral dams aren’t 100% effective protection against HPV and genital warts, but they can help reduce the spread as well as protecting against other STIs. 

Using lube with condoms helps to prevent the condom from breaking during sex by reducing friction. Lube can also make sex more pleasurable for some people.

More about safer sex