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STDs (Expert Forum)
Genital Warts
Answered by
Edward W Hook, MD - HIV Prevention, stds
Welcome to the STD Forum, which is intended only for questions and support pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV/AIDS, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus, genital warts, trichomonas, other vaginal infections, nongonoccal urethritis (NGU), cervicitis, molluscum contagiosum, chancroid, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
Doctor's Answer
by Edward W Hook, MD, Jul 16, 2008 04:38PM
, Jul 16, 2008 04:38PM
The topic of HPV and genital warts is a complex one. I will try to provide some facts. For addition information on this most common of STDs, I would suggest search for other HPV- and wart-related Q&A on this site, as well seeking addition information on sites such as the American Social health Association web-site (disclosure, Dr. Handsfield and I are both on the Board of ASHA)..
HPV is the most commonly acquired STD. Over 85% of sexually active women will have HPV infection at some time in their lives. Within a year of beginning to have sex about half of women will have some kind of HPV infection. In some HPV will cause genital warts, in others it will not cause warts but may lead to changes in PAP smears. In nearly everyone who gets HPV, warts or otherwise, the infections will resolve by themselves without therapy in 8-10 months. In a very small minority of women, HPV infection can persist and lead to the pre-cancerous lesions that PAP smears detect and which can then be treated. Because of the association with abnormal Pap smears, much more is known about HPV infections in women than in men. With this as background,
The transmission and occurrence of genital warts in men is hard to time. Many men who do not acknowledge rectal exposure nonetheless have rectal warts or HPV infection although the mechanism is not understood. This appears to indicate that some HPV infections might be transmitted by mechanisms other than direct contact. As far as your risk, odds are that you have had HPV infection at some time and that you might currently have it. Regarding what to do about it, my advice is to not worry about it too much other than to tell your gynecologist that your husband was recently found to have warts (in fact people can have them for long periods of time before noticing them) so that he/she can keep that in mind during your evaluations. Regarding treatment, since people get over them without treatment, there is even debate as to whether or not they need treatment although most physicians would treat them if they are aware of them. For you the important thing is to be aware and to get regular pap smears. The Pap smear will guide what needs to be done, not the presence or absence of warts or HPV.
I hope this helps. As I mentioned, the web sites mentioned above can be very helpful. EWH
HPV is the most commonly acquired STD. Over 85% of sexually active women will have HPV infection at some time in their lives. Within a year of beginning to have sex about half of women will have some kind of HPV infection. In some HPV will cause genital warts, in others it will not cause warts but may lead to changes in PAP smears. In nearly everyone who gets HPV, warts or otherwise, the infections will resolve by themselves without therapy in 8-10 months. In a very small minority of women, HPV infection can persist and lead to the pre-cancerous lesions that PAP smears detect and which can then be treated. Because of the association with abnormal Pap smears, much more is known about HPV infections in women than in men. With this as background,
The transmission and occurrence of genital warts in men is hard to time. Many men who do not acknowledge rectal exposure nonetheless have rectal warts or HPV infection although the mechanism is not understood. This appears to indicate that some HPV infections might be transmitted by mechanisms other than direct contact. As far as your risk, odds are that you have had HPV infection at some time and that you might currently have it. Regarding what to do about it, my advice is to not worry about it too much other than to tell your gynecologist that your husband was recently found to have warts (in fact people can have them for long periods of time before noticing them) so that he/she can keep that in mind during your evaluations. Regarding treatment, since people get over them without treatment, there is even debate as to whether or not they need treatment although most physicians would treat them if they are aware of them. For you the important thing is to be aware and to get regular pap smears. The Pap smear will guide what needs to be done, not the presence or absence of warts or HPV.
I hope this helps. As I mentioned, the web sites mentioned above can be very helpful. EWH
