Genital Warts (Human Papillomavirus): What Happens

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What Happens

Genital warts may or may not be visible, depending on the type of human papillomavirus (HPV).

• Common HPV types 6 and 11 produce visible warts that may disappear without treatment.
• Other HPV types, such as 16 and 18, do not produce visible genital warts. These types, which may be found with a Pap test, are associated with precancerous cervical cell changes and cervical cancer.

HPV infection and cervical cell changes

In women, most precancerous or cancerous cell changes associated with HPV infection occur on the cervix. This is because the cells of the cervix naturally undergo changes in an area called the transformation zone. This process can cause cervical cells to become abnormal when infected with HPV.

High-risk factors and infection with high-risk types of HPV increase the chance that a woman with HPV will develop abnormal cervical cell changes. This type of infection is more likely if your partner or you have multiple sex partners.

HPV infection during pregnancy

A pregnant woman infected with HPV may have more complicated warts than a woman who is not pregnant. Genital warts may increase in size, bleed, or become infected with bacteria. Your health professional may recommend treatment. Warts may be passed onto the newborn, but this is rare.

HPV infection and cancer in men

It is not clear whether men who are infected with HPV on the penis are more likely to have precancerous or cancerous changes on the penis than men who are not infected. Because HPV does cause cell changes, more research is being done to determine whether HPV increases the risk of penile cancer. In the United States, cancer of the penis is extremely rare (fewer than 1 case in 100,000 occurs each year). Studies have shown that the risk of penile cancer is extremely low in circumcised men.

Among men who receive anal sex, HPV infection of the anal canal is associated with an increased risk of anal cancer; this risk may be especially high in men who also have HIV infection.²

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Last updated:	August 17, 2006
Author:	Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine, Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH - Infectious Disease
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman