Do genital warts go away?

The human papillomavirus (HPV) rarely shows any symptoms, but when it does, it may cause genital and oral warts. 

Genital warts, clinically known as condylomata acuminate, are growths that develop in the genital area. They may appear as small bumps of the same color as your skin or brownish, white, pale yellow, pinkish-red, or gray.

Genital warts usually appear as a single lesion, although wart clusters are possible. They may be painful, itchy, or both and cause discomfort — such as a burning sensation — when urinating or having sexual intercourse.

HPV is transmissible through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It may also spread through skin-to-skin contact, even without penetration. In other words, HPV is a sexually transmitted infection.

HPV genital warts typically develop on or around the penis, scrotum, or anus in males and on or around the vulva, vagina, or anus in females.

HPV has no known cure to date. In some cases, it clears up by itself within 2 years. If it does not, it is more likely to cause symptoms and complications.

Are genital warts permanent?

Genital warts are not permanent and may resolve on their own over time. However, the length of time you have a genital wart may vary. Some lesions may persist for an extended period.

Medical treatment may help speed up the resolution of genital warts, reduce symptoms, and lower the risk of transmitting the virus to others. 

How long do genital warts last if untreated?

If left untreated, genital warts may last for an extended period, sometimes months or even years. The duration may vary depending on factors such as your immune system and the specific strain of HPV you have. 

Genital warts may recur after treatment or spontaneously resolve while the virus may remain dormant in your body. Having regular check-ups may help you manage outbreaks and reduce the risk of transmission. 

Are genital warts contagious?

HPV causes genital warts. HPV is transmissible and infectious. In other words, it can spread from person to person.

You may get genital warts through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and close skin-to-skin contact with someone who has them. An HPV infection can also cause oral warts.

Not everyone who carries the virus will develop visible warts. Only a subset of people who have had exposure to HPV will go on to develop visible warts. Warts are still transmissible even if you can’t see them.

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Treatment for genital warts

Treatment of genital warts may vary in type and duration, depending on the size, location, and extent of the warts. It may also depend on your immune response. 

Even after treatment, genital warts may reappear. There is no cure for HPV, but in some cases, it may clear up by itself within 1 to 2 years.

Treatment options for genital warts may include:

Topical medications

Applying topical medications directly to the warts will help remove them. Common topical medications for genital warts include:

• imiquimod (Aldara): This cream helps stimulate your body’s immune response to treat the HPV infection and remove the warts. You apply it three times a week for up to 16 weeks.
• podofilox (Condylox): This gel or solution can destroy the wart tissue. You typically use it twice daily for 3 consecutive days, followed by 4 days without treatment for up to 4 weeks.
• sinecatechins (Veregen): This ointment derives from green tea extract and can help clear genital warts. You typically apply it three times a day for up to 16 weeks.

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Cryotherapy

This involves freezing the warts with liquid nitrogen. The freezing destroys the wart tissue. You may require multiple treatments, spaced several weeks apart, to remove the warts completely.

Surgical removal

You may require surgery if the warts are large or do not respond to other treatments. A doctor may remove them using surgical procedures such as excision (cutting out) or electrocautery (burning the warts).

While these treatments may effectively remove visible warts, they do not cure the HPV virus. The virus remains in your body and may cause genital or oral warts to reappear.

Summary

HPV causes genital warts in some people. The virus is transmissible through sexual contact or close skin-to-skin contact with someone who has the virus. However, not everyone who carries the HPV virus will develop visible warts.

Treatment options for genital warts include topical medications, cryotherapy, and surgical removal. These treatments aim to remove the lesions, but the HPV virus will remain in your body, possibly leading to wart reoccurrence. 

Regular follow-ups with a healthcare professional and adherence to preventive measures, such as using barrier contraception during sex, can help minimize the risk of transmission and reoccurrence.