What Do Genital Warts Look Like?

Although infected, some people may show no genital warts symptoms because the human papilloma virus (HPV) is lying dormant in their bodies.

Some may be infected by HPV and experience no outbreak of warts, or may be infected for months or even years before the onset of outward symptoms.

At worst, some people may carry the HPV for their entire lifetime without showing any genital warts symptoms. However, people infected with the virus can still transmit HPV to unsuspecting partners and thus spread genital warts.

How Do Female Genital Warts Look Like?

Female genital warts may appear in a clustered formation, be very tiny, or may form large masses of warts in the genital region. Some women may have only a small wart or two, while others may develop a very painful cluster of warts that rubs against their underwear. This can cause irritation and possible bleeding. (Pictures of female genital warts.)

Genital warts in women can form either outside the body on the vaginal and/or anal areas, as well as inside the body on the cervix.

Genital warts have been found (in rare instances) in the mouth or throat of women who have performed oral sex on someone who is infected.

How Do Male Genital Warts Look Like?

Male genital warts can manifest as small gray or flesh-colored bumps on the tip or shaft or the penis, between the penis and scrotum, on the scrotum, or in the anal region.  These small bumps may appear by themselves, or can grow in larger clusters that have the resemblance of cauliflower. Pictures of Male Genital Warts (advanced genital warts outbreak)