Early Signs of Genital Warts
Medically reviewed by
Dr Brenda IkejiLast reviewed: 26 Jun 2025
Genital warts are a common type of sexually transmitted infection (STI). While they may affect anyone sexually active, many people may not recognise the early signs, or may mistake them for something else. Early detection is key to managing symptoms, reducing risks of transmission, and getting appropriate medical care.
It's best to have a professional diagnosis from a doctor if you think you have genital warts. ZAVA offers an online photo assessment as well as topical genital warts treatments. In this article, we’ll look at the initial signs and symptoms of genital warts, what they look like, and where they tend to appear.
Key takeaways
Genital warts are usually small skin-coloured bumps that can grow in clusters in and around your genital area, are usually soft, and can be flat or raised.
The warts themselves are the only obvious symptom that you have a genital warts infection.
Warts will appear weeks or months after you get infected.
The best way to avoid genital warts is to avoid unprotected sex and stay healthy – your body can sometimes fight off the infection itself.
Not all genital bumps are warts, so it helps to get an assessment and get a treatment recommendation if you think you might have them.
What do genital warts look like?
Genital warts come in various sizes and shapes. Common symptoms of genital warts include:
- small bumps, up to 2 to 3mm, that are skin-coloured and often grow in clusters, forming a sort of cauliflower shape – some people only have 1 or 2 warts
- warts in the genital area that are soft to the touch, and can be either raised or flat
Most of the time, genital warts appear in moist areas, such as in or around the vagina, anus, or groin. They usually do not cause discomfort or pain. In rare cases, they can be itchy, hurt a bit or bleed, especially if you scratch them.
With regards to the early signs of genital warts, you need to keep in mind that they can appear weeks to months after you are exposed to the infection. People who have recently had unprotected sex and are looking for early signs of genital warts should check themselves regularly.
Not all genital bumps are early signs of genital warts. There could be other reasons for this, such as syphilis (another STI), haemorrhoids, or papules (similar to pimples). If you’re not sure, speak to your GP or sexual health clinic for an official diagnosis.
What do genital warts look like on men?
For men, genital warts may appear as small, rough lumps that can appear in areas like the:
- penis
- scrotum
- anus
- urethra
- thighs
- groin
Genital warts can sometimes be itchy, uncomfortable, and sometimes bleed, but are often not associated with other symptoms.
What do genital warts look like on females?
Genital warts appear as small, rough lumps either on their own or in groups that may look like a cauliflower. They may feel soft or firm and be red, or skin coloured. Genital warts in females can appear in areas like the:
- vagina
- vulva
- cervix
- anus
- urethra
Genital warts are often symptomless but some women may notice a change in the appearance of vaginal discharge or bleeding that is not related to their period. If the warts are in or around the urethra, there may be a change in the flow of your urine.
Can you have genital warts without any symptoms?
Yes, genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), and many people do not get any symptoms of genital warts as the virus may be dormant. Even if warts are present, they may be difficult to see, especially for women.
What other symptoms come with genital warts?
The main symptom of the genital warts is the small, skin-coloured growths that appear on or around your genital area. The growths can clump together and form a cauliflower-like shape.
Other symptoms associated with genital warts include:
- itching or inflammation
- bleeding if the warts become inflamed, irritated, or scratched
- disruption to the normal flow of urine if you have warts near or inside your urethra
For peace of mind and expert advice, if you’re ever unsure about something that you’ve found on the skin surrounding your genitals, visit a GP or nurse at your local surgery or sexual health clinic.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to get medical advice without a face-to-face appointment, we offer an online photo assessment service. Simply fill in our confidential questionnaire about your symptoms and send in some photos of the affected area, which will be seen only by the doctor for diagnosis. We can also prescribe treatment for genital warts if you have them.
Do genital warts hurt?
Usually, genital warts themselves do not hurt, but they can sometimes cause pain when peeing or having sex. In some cases, genital warts can cause itching, irritation, or discomfort in the affected area.
Are genital warts itchy?
Yes, sometimes genital warts can be itchy, however, they do not normally cause noticeable symptoms.
What to do if you see signs of genital warts
If you spot the first signs of genital warts, you should begin treatment immediately. Topical creams such as Warticon, Condyline, or Aldara can help you get rid of the warts. Other treatments for warts include a wide range of surgical operations (laser, freezing, or cutting them off) as well as chemical treatments. These treatments help remove the warts, but they do not kill the virus which causes them.
If you have found warts on or around your genital area, it’s important you are checked for other sexually transmitted infections, such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia, syphilis, and HIV.
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What other conditions look like genital warts?
There are a few conditions that may look like genital warts if you’ve never seen them before. However, a doctor or nurse should be able to diagnose the condition by looking at the area.
Genital warts vs genital herpes
Here is an overview of the main differences between genital warts and genital herpes and their symptoms, causes, and treatments available:
| Genital herpes | Genital warts | |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Herpes simplex virus (type 1 and type 2) |
Human papillomavirus |
| How it's spread | Spread through:
It’s more contagious during outbreaks, but can be spread at any time. |
Spread through:
|
| Symptoms | Often symptomless until an outbreak. During an outbreak, the main symptoms are lesions which look similar to blisters or ulcers that fill with liquid and then burst, before scabbing over. These can occur on:
Before lesions appear, you may feel a tingling sensation. Other symptoms may include:
|
Many people have no visible symptoms until an outbreak. During an outbreak, you may notice small warts that are raised or flat, and may appear the same colour as the skin. For women, warts usually appear gritty and small. For men, warts can be raised, hard, and rough. They may appear on:
Other symptoms may include:
|
| Diagnosis | Examination by a doctor or sexual health nurse, or a lab test (which involves taking a swab of a blister during an outbreak). |
Examination by a doctor or sexual health nurse. Sometimes a lab test is required, but usually a doctor can diagnose from looking at the warts. |
| Treatment | No long-term cure exists. Genital herpes outbreaks can be treated with antivirals like aciclovir that help speed up recovery and make symptoms less severe. |
May resolve by itself. Treatments include creams like Warticon, or wart removal through freezing or surgery. |
Genital warts vs ingrown hairs
Ingrown hairs and genital warts can sometimes be confused, but there are some differences between them. Genital warts are bumps that can appear anywhere around the genital area. They sometimes appear in groups that can look like cauliflower. On the other hand, ingrown hairs are sores or pimples found specifically around hair follicles and normally appear as isolated bumps.
Another difference between genital warts and ingrown hairs is the cause – genital warts are caused by HPV, and ingrown hairs are caused by hair growing back into the skin instead of outwards, usually after being removed.
If you have ingrown hairs, you should avoid shaving or waxing again for a while, and make an appointment with your GP if they get irritated or infected.
Genital warts vs skin tags
While genital warts and skin tags both appear as small, fleshy bumps, they have some distinct differences. A skin tag grows outwards and is attached to your skin by a narrow stalk, whereas genital warts (which are raised bumps), lay flat on the surface of the skin. Skin tags are perfectly harmless pieces of extra skin and are not caused by a virus, they are usually formed by friction.
Skin tags are usually painless and do not cause symptoms unless they rub against clothing, which may cause irritation.
Skin tags can be easily removed, and there are several types of over-the-counter treatments available for managing skin tags, including tea tree oil. Unlike genital warts, skin tags are not contagious, meaning they can not be spread through sexual contact.
Genital warts vs moles
Moles are like warts or skin tags, but they are usually symmetrical and very well-defined. Moles occur naturally across your body, including on and around your genitals and they should have a consistent colouring throughout. They are a cluster of pigmented cells that appear as brown or black spots on the skin.
In rare cases, moles can become cancerous, so you should keep a close eye on how they look, and notify your GP about any changes. There’s no need to treat a mole, unless it bothers you or it becomes cancerous. In these cases, moles can be removed easily with surgery.
How to avoid infections or outbreaks
Rather than looking for early signs of genital warts and having to treat them after they've appeared, you should try to prevent the infection. Your body is capable of fighting the virus, and patients in their 20s to early 30s generally have a better chance of effectively killing the virus than patients over 30.
If you know you carry the virus, you should try to boost your immune system. When your body is weakened, genital warts are more likely to appear. Take extra care if you have other health conditions, such as a chronic disease like diabetes, or you’re undergoing chemotherapy.
An unhealthy lifestyle increases your risk of developing genital warts if you have contracted the virus, so we recommend avoiding smoking, binge drinking, and stress (where possible). Eating a balanced, healthy diet and getting regular exercise can also help keep your body healthy.
Men are equally as contagious as women, even though they are less likely to show symptoms. The best way to avoid genital warts is prevention, by using condoms and having regular check-ups at your sexual health clinic or with an at-home STI test. You are particularly at risk of developing warts if you have several sexual partners per year and do not use condoms.
Brenda studied medicine at St Georges University of London and has most recently worked in John Radcliffe Oxford University Hospitals, covering acute and general medicine.
Meet our doctorsLast reviewed: 26 Jun 2025
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Genital warts, NHS [accessed 26 June 2025]
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Genital herpes, NHS [accessed 26 June 2025]
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Ingrown hairs, NHS [accessed 26 June 2025]
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Skin tags, NHS [accessed 26 June 2025]
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Moles, NHS [accessed 26 June 2025]
When you get an outbreak of genital warts, you can treat them with topical gels and creams. ZAVA offers a variety of these creams and gels through a discreet, convenient service.
