Genital warts treatment, private and prescriber-reviewed

What are genital warts?

Genital warts are small, flesh-coloured or grey growths that appear on or around the genitals, anus, or upper thighs. They are caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is very widely spread — most sexually active people encounter HPV at some point. Many people clear the virus naturally without ever developing warts.

Genital warts themselves are not dangerous and are not linked to the HPV strains that cause cervical cancer. They are, however, infectious — they can be passed on by skin-to-skin contact during sex, even when a condom is used — so treating them is important both for your comfort and out of consideration for partners.

What does genital warts treatment involve?

Treatment is applied at home using a topical preparation — a cream or liquid you put directly onto the warts. Different preparations work in slightly different ways; some are applied once or twice a week over several weeks, others on consecutive days. Your prescriber will match the treatment to your situation, including the number and location of warts and any previous treatment you have tried.

Most people need more than one treatment cycle to clear warts completely. Some warts go away on their own over time even without treatment. The virus can remain in the skin after the visible warts have cleared, so there is a possibility of recurrence — this is normal and does not mean treatment has failed.

Treating genital warts with NewGen

NewGen is a GPhC-registered pharmacy. You complete a short confidential consultation, attach a photo if the prescriber requests one, and a UK prescriber reviews whether a topical treatment can be issued. Your prescription is dispensed and posted in plain packaging. This service is suitable for confirmed, uncomplicated genital warts that have previously been assessed by a clinician.

How the consultation works

You will be asked to describe the warts — their location, how long they have been present, and whether a clinician has assessed them before. You will also confirm you have no unusual symptoms such as bleeding or pain. If your answers suggest the warts have not previously been assessed in person, we will ask you to visit a sexual health clinic first, to make sure the diagnosis is correct before any treatment is issued.

When to go to a sexual health clinic instead

Please attend a sexual health clinic if this is the first time you have had genital warts and they have not yet been confirmed by a clinician, if any growth bleeds or changes rapidly, if you are pregnant, or if you are not sure what the growths are. Your clinic can confirm the diagnosis, offer in-clinic treatments such as cryotherapy, and screen for other STIs at the same time.