Preventing Genital Warts
The vaccine, safer sex and ways to lower the risk of transmission
- HPV vaccines that cover types 6 and 11 lower the chance of getting genital warts.
- Condoms lower the chance of passing warts on, but they do not cover all the skin in the genital area.
- Avoid sex while you or your partner have active warts.
- Do not pick at warts, and do not shave the affected area with a razor.
- Warts clearing up does not mean the virus can no longer be passed on.
- Cervical screening looks for precancerous changes and does not prevent the warts themselves.
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No method brings the chance of infection down to zero, but the vaccine, safer sex and the right care can lower the chance of getting HPV and passing it on.
- Having genital warts is not, on its own, a sign of infidelity. The virus can stay in the body without symptoms for months or years, and it is usually not possible to tell when it was passed on or by whom.
- Genital warts usually do not cause cancer. The HPV types that cause most warts are different from the high-risk types that can cause cell changes.
How is preventing warts different from cervical screening?
Preventing infection and finding cell changes early are two different goals.
Primary prevention
The vaccine and safer behaviors help lower the chance of getting or passing on HPV.
Secondary prevention
Screening finds changes in the cervix caused by high-risk HPV types earlier, but it does not prevent the warts themselves.
A key point about diagnosing warts
The HPV test and the Pap test (Pap smear; in the UK, a smear test) are not recommended for diagnosing genital warts themselves. Warts are usually diagnosed by a doctor’s examination.
To learn when and how often these tests are done, read our guide to cervical cancer screening.
How are genital warts spread?
The main way genital warts spread is direct skin-to-skin contact in the genital area, rather than using public places or shared facilities.
Main routes of transmission
- Direct genital skin-to-skin contact during vaginal or anal sexual activity, even without penetration
- Sharing sex toys
- Rarely, through oral sex
- Rarely, from mother to baby during childbirth
Unproven routes of transmission
- Swimming pool and hot tub water
- Public toilet seats
- Sharing towels, clothes, cups or dishes
- Shaking hands and hugging
Testing positive for HPV does not mean infidelity
HPV can stay in the body without symptoms for months or years. So even in a steady relationship, it is usually not possible to tell when it was passed on.
A key point about laser hair removal and waxing
The main way genital warts spread is sexual contact, and there is no clear evidence that they spread through laser or waxing and epilating equipment. Even so, for general skin care, choose a reputable salon or clinic that uses equipment reserved for you or properly disinfected.
How the HPV vaccine helps prevent genital warts
- The vaccine is the most effective tool for primary prevention and works best when given before a person becomes sexually active. To prevent genital warts, a vaccine has to cover HPV types 6 and 11. The bivalent (two-type) vaccine, which covers only types 16 and 18, does not prevent warts. Ask your doctor which vaccine is available to you.
- The vaccine is recommended for both sexes and can lower the chance of getting and passing on the infection.
- The vaccine does not treat an infection or warts you already have, but it can protect you against types that have not entered your body yet.
Do condoms prevent genital warts?
Condoms lower the chance of passing warts on, but they do not give complete protection
Using condoms correctly and every time lowers the chance of passing HPV on, but HPV can also spread from areas of skin that are not covered.
Ways to lower the risk of passing it on during sex
- Using condoms and dental dams correctly and every time
- Not sharing sex toys
- Limiting your number of sexual partners
When you have active warts
- Avoid sex until you have fully healed.
- Let your partner know, and talk with a doctor about an examination and the vaccine.
Everyday care to keep warts from spreading
Put razors and waxing aside for now
Until you have fully healed, do not use razors, waxing or epilators on the affected area. Tiny scratches can spread the warts within that same area. If needed, trim the hair with scissors, without cutting close to the skin.
Do not pick at the warts
Do not scratch or pick at warts. If you touch them by accident, wash your hands with soap and water.
Keep up your usual hygiene
Keep the area dry, and do not share personal items. This is general hygiene advice: towels and clothes are not a proven route for passing on genital warts.
Can pills, supplements or home remedies prevent genital warts?
A healthy lifestyle helps
A balanced diet, enough sleep and quitting smoking support your immune system, but on their own they do not prevent infection.
Supplements do not replace the vaccine
There is no pill or supplement proven to prevent genital warts.
Medicines and home remedies are not the answer
Acyclovir is a herpes medicine and has no effect on HPV. Vinegar, garlic and honey do not prevent warts either, and they may irritate the skin.
Talking openly with your partner about genital warts, without judgment
- A new wart appearing does not necessarily mean, on its own, that someone has been unfaithful. HPV can stay in the body without symptoms for a long time.
- Talking with your partner helps you decide together about safer sex, examinations and the vaccine.
- If needed, you can both see a doctor for an examination and advice.
How do I start the conversation?
Speak calmly and without blame. Explain that genital warts are common and that it is usually not possible to tell when they were passed on.
If you do not feel safe
If you are worried your partner may react harshly, your safety comes first. Talking with a doctor or a counselor you trust can help.
What to do after a sexual encounter you are worried about
There is no treatment that prevents HPV right after exposure. Normal washing is enough for hygiene, but alcohol and disinfectants do not prevent infection. Talk with a doctor to assess the exposure and to find out whether vaccination is advisable for you.
A reassuring point
Many people come into contact with some type of HPV during their lives, and in most of them the body brings the infection under control over time. The types that cause warts also usually do not cause cancer.
When should I see a doctor?
If you notice a bump, itching, bleeding or a sudden change, an examination can find the cause. To learn what this involves, read our guide to diagnosing genital warts.
Prevention advice for special situations: weakened immunity and pregnancy
Weakened immune system
If you have HIV, have had a transplant or take medicines that suppress the immune system, the infection may take longer to come under control, and you may need more regular follow-up.
Pregnancy
Warts sometimes grow larger during pregnancy, and passing them to the baby is rare. A cesarean section (C-section) is not recommended just to prevent passing HPV to the baby; your doctor will decide how you give birth based on your situation. The HPV vaccine is not recommended during pregnancy, so starting or continuing the vaccine series is put off until after pregnancy.
Frequently asked questions about preventing genital warts
Can I get genital warts from a swimming pool or a public toilet?
No. The main way warts spread is direct skin-to-skin contact in the genital area. Pools and toilets are not proven routes of transmission.
Can I get warts from waxing or a salon laser hair-removal machine?
The main way warts spread is sexual contact, and there is no clear evidence that they spread through these devices. For general skin care, choose a reputable salon or clinic that uses equipment reserved for you or properly disinfected.
My spouse has been my only partner. Does the result mean infidelity?
Not necessarily. The virus can stay in the body without symptoms for months or years and then appear. It is usually not possible to tell when it was passed on.
Do condoms prevent genital warts?
They lower the chance of passing warts on, but they do not give complete protection, because they do not cover all the skin around the genital area.
When is the HPV vaccine given, and how many doses are needed?
The number of doses depends on the age at which vaccination starts and on the state of the immune system. Go over the right schedule with your doctor, and read the details in our guide to preventing HPV.
Is the vaccine still useful after infection?
The vaccine does not treat an existing infection, but it can protect you against types you have not caught yet. Make the decision with your doctor.
Is there a pill or supplement that prevents warts?
No. There is no pill or supplement proven to prevent warts. A healthy lifestyle helps, but it does not replace the vaccine.
Can acyclovir prevent or treat warts?
No. Acyclovir is a herpes medicine and has no effect on HPV, the virus that causes genital warts.
Does washing after sex prevent infection?
No. Washing and disinfecting do not prevent HPV infection. Talk with a doctor about the exposure and the vaccine.
If I have warts, how should I trim unwanted hair?
Do not use razors, waxing or epilators until you have fully healed. If needed, trim the hair with scissors, without cutting close to the skin.
I'm pregnant and have warts. Will they pass to my baby?
Passing warts to the baby is rare. The way you give birth usually does not change, and a C-section is usually not needed just because of warts. Make the final decision with your doctor.
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