Genital warts treatment in London

What are genital warts?

Genital warts are small, flesh-coloured or white growths that appear on or around the genitals and anus, caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), most commonly types 6 and 11. They are one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the UK. The virus spreads through skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and occasionally through close genital contact without penetration.

Warts can appear weeks, months, or even years after exposure to HPV. Many people carry the virus without ever developing visible warts. When warts do appear, they are not dangerous, but they rarely resolve quickly on their own and most people prefer to have them treated.

The HPV strains that cause genital warts (types 6 and 11) are different from the high-risk strains (types 16 and 18) linked to cervical cancer. Having genital warts does not mean you are at higher risk of cancer, but it is worth checking that your cervical screening is up to date.

Symptoms and appearance

Genital warts vary in size and shape. Some are barely noticeable; others form in clusters. Common presentations include:

• Small, raised bumps. Flesh-coloured, white, or slightly pink. They may be smooth and flat or have a rough, cauliflower-like texture.
• Location. In women, warts typically appear on the vulva, around the vaginal opening, on the perineum (the area between the vagina and anus), or around the anus. They can occasionally appear inside the vagina or on the cervix.
• Itching or discomfort. Some warts cause mild itching. Most are painless. Bleeding can occur if warts are irritated by friction.
• Clusters. Warts may appear as a single growth or in groups. Clusters are sometimes described as having a cauliflower-like appearance.

If you are unsure whether what you have noticed is a wart or something else, a clinical examination will give you a clear answer. Several other conditions can look similar, including skin tags, molluscum contagiosum, and normal anatomical variations.

How genital warts are diagnosed

Diagnosis is clinical. Mr Naoum will examine the affected area and identify warts by their appearance. No blood test can diagnose genital warts, and swab testing is not routinely needed for visible warts.

If there is any uncertainty about a lesion, a biopsy can be taken during the same appointment and sent for histological examination. This is uncommon but straightforward when required.

Treatment: hyfrecation at the clinic

We treat genital warts with hyfrecation, a form of electrosurgery that uses a fine-tipped probe to deliver controlled heat directly to each wart. The tissue is destroyed precisely without affecting surrounding skin. It is one of the most effective methods for wart removal and is widely used in specialist gynaecology and dermatology settings.

How the procedure works

Local anaesthetic is applied to the treatment area so you do not feel pain during the procedure. The Consultant then uses the hyfrecation probe to treat each wart individually. Small warts take seconds each. The entire procedure usually takes 15-30 minutes depending on the number and size of warts being treated.

For straightforward cases, assessment and treatment happen in the same appointment. If Mr Naoum needs to see you first to plan the approach (for example, with widespread or internal warts), treatment may be scheduled for a second visit.

Recovery after hyfrecation

The treated area may feel sore or tender for a few days. Small scabs form where each wart was removed and drop off naturally within 1-2 weeks. You can return to normal daily activities the same day. Avoid swimming, baths, and sexual contact until the skin has healed, usually 2-4 weeks.

Mr Naoum will explain aftercare at the appointment and arrange a follow-up if he wants to check healing or treat any remaining warts.

HPV vaccination after treatment

The Gardasil 9 vaccine protects against nine HPV types, including types 6 and 11 (which cause most genital warts) and types 16 and 18 (which are linked to cervical and other cancers). Vaccination after treatment can reduce the risk of warts coming back and protects against HPV strains you may not have been exposed to yet.

We offer private HPV vaccination at the clinic. If you are interested, it can be discussed at your wart treatment appointment and the first dose given at a follow-up visit or on the same day if clinically appropriate.

Confidentiality and discretion

Every appointment at the clinic is completely confidential. Your records are held privately and are not shared with your GP unless you ask us to write to them. There is no waiting room cross-over with other departments, and the clinic handles sexual health matters routinely without judgement.

If you would prefer a broader sexual health screen alongside your wart assessment, our dedicated sexual health service offers comprehensive STI testing at the same address.

Why choose a consultant for wart treatment?

NHS sexual health clinics offer genital wart treatment, but waiting times vary and treatment is often carried out by a nurse rather than a specialist. GP surgeries can prescribe topical creams, but these work slowly (weeks to months) and are less effective for larger or clustered warts.

At our clinic, assessment and treatment are carried out by a Consultant Gynaecologist in a single appointment. Hyfrecation deals with warts directly rather than waiting for a cream to work. If warts are in a difficult location or you have had unsuccessful treatment elsewhere, consultant-led care gives you the best chance of a clean result.

Frequently asked questions