Do Genital Warts Get Transmitted Through Sexual Intercourse?

Posted on Fri, 14 Nov 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 14 Nov 2014 Answered on

Wed, 3 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello,I hve found out that I have genital warts! I am so ashamed by this! I am in a relationship with my partner and I do not want to put her at risk! Does this mean that I can not have an intimate relationship with her? What should I do?

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Avoid intercourse when active lesions .

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query.I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
Warts can be transmitted by sexual route or by skin to skin contact. There will be risk of transmission of virus.Condom may prevent transmission to some extent as there will be areas of skin contact.
Avoid intercourse when active lesions present.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (14 minutes later)

Thank you for your reply Dr. Basti, I do have a follow up question? Do I need to get a blood test to see if this HPV virus is "low-risk" or "high-risk?" And when I have the warts removed,would it be safe to have an intimate relationship with my partner?

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Usually low risk strains.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
Usually the strains causing warts are low risk strains.You can get tested for strains to relieve your anxiety.
It can even spread by autoinoculation also.By self inoculation by fingers.So wash hands regularly.
If regular partner you use protection and avoid intercourse during active lesion.Though not fully can prevent transmission.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (2 days later)

Hello Dr.Basti,do you think that prodofilox is an affective way of getting rid of genital warts? And if so,would I be able to have unprotected sex with my significant other if we wanted to be pregnant? Thank you,I will wait for your reply!

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Helps in clearing lesion but can recur.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
Podophylox will help in clearing lesion.But there can be chances of recurrence.
Consult doctor for investigation to rule out other STDs or diseases. There are some precautions to be followed if you need to conceive.
You can consult your doctor for investigation of both .
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar