# Genital warts (HPV): causes, treatment and prevention

> What causes genital warts, which HPV types are involved, how treatment is planned and what reduces the risk of transmission.

Published: 25 June 2026 · Medically reviewed by: Op. Dr. Murat Alpay

**What causes genital warts, which HPV types are involved, how treatment is planned and what reduces the risk of transmission.**

## What causes genital warts

The underlying cause of [genital warts](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/genital-sigil/) is the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is transmitted sexually. The types responsible are usually **HPV 6 and HPV 11**, classified as low-risk. These lesions — changes in the tissue — do not carry a direct risk of turning into cancer, but they can cause physical discomfort and so need medical assessment and management.

Related treatment page

[Genital Warts Treatment](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/genital-sigil/)

Genital warts (condylomata) are "cauliflower-like" growths caused by the low-risk HPV types 6 and 11; the HPV types that cause cancer are different. The diagnosis is usually made by examination.

[Details →](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/genital-sigil/)

## How they are treated

Treatment is planned individually by a specialist according to the person's situation and to how widespread the lesions are and where they sit. The aim is to remove the visible structures the virus has caused. The main methods are:

- **Cryotherapy (freezing):** the warts are treated by being frozen with dedicated equipment.
- **Surgical (excisional) methods:** persistent or suspicious lesions are cut away surgically under local anaesthetic.
- **Laser treatment (ablation):** laser energy is used to vaporise the warts. After clinical assessment, laser ablation may be considered by your doctor as one of the medical options — particularly for warts that are widespread or reach anatomically difficult areas.

## What helps prevent them

HPV vaccination has an important place in preventing HPV infection and genital warts. The vaccines in use today include the HPV types that most often cause warts. Given before any encounter with the virus, vaccination markedly reduces the risk of warts caused by the types it covers.

Alongside vaccination, using barrier methods (condoms) during a contact of uncertain risk lowers the chance of transmission — though because the virus can also pass through skin-to-skin contact, it may not give complete protection.

See also [the HPV vaccine](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/blog/hpv-asisi-nedir-kimlere-ne-zaman-yapilir-antalya/) and [genital laser treatment](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/genital-lazer/).

Results of any surgical or interventional procedure can vary from person to person.

Written and reviewed by

**Op. Dr. Murat Alpay**

Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology · Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine (Çapa)

[Full biography →](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/hakkinda/)

[← All posts](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/blog/)

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Original page: https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/blog/genital-sigil-hpv-nedir-belirtileri-ve-tedavi-yontemleri/  
Last updated: 2026-06-25

Op. Dr. Murat Alpay — Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology  
Op. Dr. Murat Alpay Practice, Tekelioğlu Cd. No:51 B Kat:2, Filo Apt., 07160 Muratpaşa / Antalya  
0505 351 77 88 · Monday – Saturday 09:00 – 18:00 · Closed on Sunday

*This information is for general guidance only and does not replace examination, diagnosis or treatment.*