What should you know about warts on the vagina?

Genital warts are often small, raised, or textured growths on external genital skin. They may occur near the vaginal opening, but a bump can also be caused by irritation, an ingrown hair, a blocked gland, herpes, or another skin condition. Internal vaginal symptoms cannot be diagnosed reliably by looking at external skin. A clinician may inspect the vulva and, when needed, the vaginal canal or cervix. This helps distinguish a wart from a lesion that needs another type of care.

Do not scratch, squeeze, shave over, or apply household or hand-wart products to the area. Keep cleansing gentle and pause sexual contact involving the affected skin until you have advice. Use condoms or barriers knowing they may not cover every area of skin. After examination, options may include Imiquimod Treatment for suitable external lesions, or Cryotherapy (Lesion Removal), Electrosurgery, or Wart Removal. The choice depends on whether tissue is external or internal, how extensive it is, and how sensitive the surrounding skin may be.

Arrange an appointment for any new, persistent, spreading, itchy, or bleeding growth around the vaginal opening. Seek prompt care for severe pain, blisters or open sores, pus, fever, difficulty passing urine, or bleeding unrelated to a period. Pregnancy, immune suppression, or a recent possible exposure to a sexually transmitted infection are useful details to mention when booking.

Ask whether the growth is external or internal, whether testing is needed, and whether a partner should be assessed. Ask which treatment fits the exact site, how to protect nearby mucosal tissue, whether sex should pause during treatment, and what symptoms would require an earlier review.