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Key points
Key points- Genital warts, also called papillomas or condylomas, are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV).
- Having multiple sexual partners, a weakened immune system, smoking, and shaving the genitals with a razor are some of the risk factors.
- They are usually diagnosed with a physical exam; if there is doubt, additional tests can be done.
- Several genital skin conditions look like warts, so it is wise to confirm the diagnosis with a specialist.
- There are several ways to remove warts, and the option is decided with the specialist.
What genital warts are and what causes them
Genital warts, also known as papillomas or condylomas, are a sexually transmitted disease characterized by the growth of raised lesions or bumps on the skin of the penis, pubis, groin, or scrotum.
They are a frequent reason for visits to urology and dermatology. Their cause is infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), which has many types that can produce warts.
10 risk factors for genital warts
Some risk factors for developing warts on the genitals are:
- Having multiple sexual partners.
- Conditions that weaken the immune system.
- Malnutrition.
- Diabetes mellitus.
- HIV infection.
- Kidney transplant.
- Rheumatologic diseases.
- Smoking.
- Not being circumcised.
- Shaving the genitals with a razor.
Symptoms: what genital warts look like
The main sign is the appearance of raised lesions or bumps on the genital skin.
Size
Varies from a few millimeters to several centimeters.
Color
May be similar to your skin tone or sometimes brown.
Borders
Usually irregular.
Discomfort
They generally do not hurt.
How genital warts are diagnosed
First
Physical exam
To diagnose genital warts, a physical exam is generally enough.
If in doubt
Additional tests
These can include acetic acid application, exfoliative cytology, PCR for HPV detection and genotyping, or biopsy of the lesion.
Conditions that look like genital warts
Several skin conditions of the genitals are very similar to papillomas:
- Pearly penile papules, pearly corona, or Tyson glands on the glans.
- Angiokeratomas.
- Soft fibromas or skin tags.
- Fordyce glands.
- Sebaceous cysts.
Treatment options
Treatment for warts consists of removing them from the genitals. There are several ways to do this:
- Topical keratolytic treatments.
- Cauterization.
- Laser destruction of the lesions.
- Cryotherapy.
- Photodynamic therapy.
- Injection of immunologic agents into the lesion.
- Circumcision, as a complementary measure.
If you notice bumps on your genital skin, get an evaluation.
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