Does electrosurgery treat genital warts?

Genital warts are skin or mucosal growths associated with human papillomavirus. They may occur on the penis, vulva, around the anus, or nearby groin skin. Electrosurgery targets visible warts, but it may not remove HPV from surrounding skin, so new warts can appear after treatment.

A genital growth should be examined rather than self-diagnosed. Some lesions are not warts and may need a different treatment. The clinician may also consider whether the location is suitable for electrosurgery and whether another option would be more comfortable or practical.

Arrange a confidential sexual-health or dermatology appointment for diagnosis and treatment planning. Tell the clinician about pregnancy, immune problems, previous wart treatments, bleeding, pain, or sores. Avoid cutting, burning, or using non-prescription wart products on genital skin.

After treatment, keep the area clean and follow instructions about washing, dressings, and sexual contact. Healing skin may be tender or crusted. Ask when sexual activity can safely resume and whether partners should be informed or assessed. Discuss HPV vaccination and screening advice when relevant to your age, anatomy, and local care pathway.

Seek medical review for a rapidly growing, painful, ulcerated, or bleeding genital lesion, or for a new growth during pregnancy. After electrosurgery, contact the clinic for worsening pain, spreading redness, pus, fever, difficulty urinating, or bleeding that continues despite pressure.

Ask whether the growth is definitely a wart, which treatment fits its location, how to manage discomfort, when sex is safe, whether other sexually transmitted infections need testing, and how follow-up will be arranged.