Although HPV isnt curable in all cases, genital warts are treatable. You can also go extended periods of time without an outbreak, but it may not be possible to get rid of the warts forever. Thats because genital warts are only a symptom of HPV, which may become a chronic, lifelong infection for some.

Can I leave genital warts untreated?

If left untreated, genital warts may disappear, stay the same, or grow larger in size or number. Over time, most warts will eventually go away without treatment.

Is genital warts a big deal?

HPV is the most common STD, but most of the time it isnt a big deal. It usually goes away on its own, and most people dont even know that they ever had HPV. Remember that most people who have sex get HPV at some point in their lives. You dont need to be ashamed or afraid.

Do I have to tell people I have genital warts?

Because of HPVs unique status among STDs, experts disagree over whether women are obligated to tell their partners that they have the virus. HPV has not been proven to affect mens risk of cancer, though other strains can cause annoying genital warts in both sexes and men can pass the virus on to other women.

What happens if I pull off a wart?

Dont rub, scratch, or pick at the wart. Doing so could spread the virus to another part of your body or cause the wart to become infected.

Can you pop a genital wart?

Theres little that can be done to treat warts. Make sure to never squeeze them and try not to do anything that would make them bleed. Always be careful not to spread them to others and use a barrier when you have sex—like a condom. Freezing—you can have the warts frozen with liquid nitrogen.