[Question #7301] Genital Warts, Is no treatment an option? Can I continue to have sex?
4 months ago
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
4 months ago
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Welcome to the Forum. Thanks for the question. Untreated genital warts are infectious for sexual partners. On one hand, most unvaccinated persons will get HPV infection at some point so we do not feel strongly that abstinence is required. Consistent condom use will reduce your risk for warts and other HPV infections as well as all STIs, including HIV and we recommend it but do not feel that it is absolutely required for persons with HPV including warts. It would be optimal to inform future unvaccinated sexual partners of your warts unless they are treated or have gone away -once again, we acknowledge that this is a personal choice but it is the right thing to do. For warts to resolve without therapy typically takes 1-3 years.
HPV can be transmitted from your warts to others who perform oral sex on you. On the other hand, your own infection is a local process and thus the fact that you have genital warts does not mean that you have oral infection. Your warts will typically not spread to other parts of your body although, on occasion, shaving over warts can spread them- we recommend against shaving over warts.
All treatments for visible genital warts are destructive and so there is a small risk of discoloration related to the treatment although most people do not experience scarring or discoloration of the skin. If the skin does become discolored, this typically resolves over time. Given the concerns that you have expressed, treatment is probably a good idea but this is a personal choice and is not absolutely necessary. Visible warts can be treated with liquid nitrogen freezing, with excision or cautery, with podofilox, with imiquimod, or with other local therapies. The success rates of all treatment is about the same.
I hope that this information is helpful. I would suggest that you read other post on our forum for addition information and for confirmation of what I have just said. There are many other posts and we make them available to others because we feel the information is often helpful. EWH
4 months ago
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
4 months ago
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4 months ago
|
![]() |
Edward W. Hook M.D.
4 months ago
|