Genital Warts: are soft growths that appear on the genitals. They're a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Who’s at Risk :
Anybody who is sexually active in any way is at risk. However, the longer you’ve been sexually active — and the larger number of sexual partners you’ve had — greatly contribute to your chances of contracting the virus and developing genital warts. But understand that having sex one time, with a single person, is enough to become infected. Some other factors that raise your odds for infection include:
- Having unprotected sex
- Beginning to have sexual contact at a young age
- Being a woman — the simple issue of gender increases your chances of contracting genital warts, as nearly 80 percent of women will be infected at least once by the time they reach age 50
Where you live — in larger, more densely populated places like New York City, infection rates are especially high simply because of the sheer number of sexually active people living so closely together.
The Signs of Genital Warts
Genital warts usually look like small, flesh-colored bumps that appear in or around your genitals. They can appear individually or in clusters that resemble tiny clusters of cauliflower. Sometimes, genital warts aren’t even big enough to be seen by the naked eye, which is why you should get regular check-ups with your dermatologist.
Common Locations for genital warts include:
- Women: vulva, vaginal walls, cervix or the skin between their vagina and anus
- Men: scrotum, the head of the penis or the shaft of the penis
- Both men and women can contract them in the anus, mouth or throat
