# Genital Warts (Condyloma) Treatment in Antalya > Genital warts (condyloma) treatment in Antalya: which HPV types cause them, diagnosis; freezing, cautery, laser, creams; partner, pregnancy, recurrence. Genital warts (condylomata) are caused by **the low-risk HPV types 6 and 11**. This is the answer to the question people ask most: **the types that cause warts and the types that cause cancer are different.** In Antalya, examination and treatment of genital warts are done at Op. Dr. Murat Alpay's clinic in Lara. **In short:** 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. Treatment options are freezing (cryotherapy), cautery (burning with heat), surgical removal, laser vaporisation or topical treatments applied to the skin; the HPV vaccine is recommended for prevention. Whichever method is chosen, recurrence is common. For general information on HPV, screening and the vaccine, see [HPV (Human Papillomavirus)](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/hpv/). ## Which HPV type causes what? - **Low-risk types (6 and 11):** the general cause of genital warts (condyloma acuminatum). - **High-risk types (most often 16 and 18):** the most common cause of cancers of the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus and penis. This distinction matters: **having genital warts does not mean you are infected with a cancer-causing type.** Even so, the screening recommendations should be followed in both situations — see [Smear and HPV Testing](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/pap-smear-ve-hpv/). ## How do they look? HPV infection is mostly transient and causes no symptoms. When a wart does form, its appearance is as follows: - It may be skin-coloured, light and pearly, or dark grey, brown or purple. - It takes the form of rounded bumps or plaques (raised patches); they are described as **"cauliflower-like"** growths. - **They do not cause pain**, but they may itch or become irritated. In women they are seen around the vulva, inside the vagina or on the cervix. They can also appear around the anus, in the mouth and in the throat. ## How are they recognised? The diagnosis is mostly made **by examination**. Aids to diagnosis: - Application of **3–5% acetic acid**: it makes mucosal cells (the thin tissue lining the inner surface) infected with HPV turn white and so visible. - **Detection of HPV DNA by PCR** in samples taken from the cervix and the anus; this can be done together with examination of the cells. There are other conditions that can look like genital warts: skin tags, moles, seborrhoeic keratosis, lichen planus, cervical polyps, keloid, molluscum contagiosum and the condylomata lata of syphilis. Some skin cancers unrelated to HPV also need to be ruled out. **For this reason saying "it looks like a wart" is not enough; it needs to be assessed.** ## How is it transmitted? HPV enters the surface cells through **very small breaks** in the skin or the mucosa. This generally happens in the **transformation zone** of the cervix and the anus — where two different cell types meet. Two points that should be known: - HPV can be transmitted **without sexual intercourse**: transmission through intermediate objects such as clothing, medical equipment and surfaces, and through oral and non-sexual skin contact, has been documented. - **Condoms do not give complete protection.** Used correctly and consistently they are quite effective; but HPV can also be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact and from areas outside the barrier. Factors that increase the risk: a new sexual partner, an increasing number of lifetime partners, a partner who is not monogamous, and **tobacco use**. HPV is mostly cleared by the immune system. But in **people whose immune system is suppressed** — those with systemic lupus (affecting the whole body), HIV infection or a history of organ transplant — the risk of the infection persisting is higher. ## Treatment options The centre of gravity of management is **prevention**. When a wart has formed there are two main families of treatment: **tissue-destroying procedures** and **topical treatments**. ### Tissue-destroying procedures - **Cryotherapy (freezing):** liquid nitrogen is applied; the change in temperature breaks up the cells and produces local tissue death. - **Cautery (electrocautery):** heat generated by an electric current coagulates the tissue. It is generally done under **local anaesthesia**. - **Surgical removal:** used for larger or treatment-resistant warts. It has an additional advantage: **it provides a tissue sample for pathological examination.** - **Laser vaporisation (CO2 laser):** vaporises the wart tissue. It is particularly useful for lesions (tissue changes) that are **widespread, resistant or anatomically difficult to reach**. **A safety note:** heat-based treatments such as laser and electrosurgery **can release virus particles into the air**; this carries a possible risk of warts forming in the throat. For this reason **an appropriate respirator mask and a surgical smoke extractor** need to be used during the procedure. This shows why where and how the procedure is carried out matters. ### Topical treatments - **Applied by the person themselves:** podofilox (of plant origin; it stops cell division and so produces local death of the wart tissue) and imiquimod (it modulates the immune response, supporting clearance by increasing local cytokine production). - **Applied by the doctor:** sinecatechin ointment — an extract of green tea leaf with antiviral and immune-modulating properties; it needs to be applied **more than once a day**. ### Combined and advanced options **Using tissue-destroying and topical methods together** can increase the clearance rate and reduce recurrence, particularly in widespread disease. In resistant lesions, injection of interferon into the lesion is another option. **Managing expectations:** whichever method is chosen, **recurrence is common** and people mostly need **more than one treatment session**. This does not mean the treatment has failed — it is the nature of the condition. ## Partners and sexual intercourse Genital warts are easily transmitted; for this reason **examination of the sexual partner as well** is recommended. If the partner has no visible warts, no treatment is needed; treatment is aimed only at visible warts, and there is no medicine that clears the virus from the body completely. - It is recommended to **avoid sexual intercourse** while treatment is ongoing and until the treated area has healed. - Condoms reduce the risk of transmission but do not give complete protection, because transmission can occur through contact with areas they do not cover. - Some wart creams can weaken latex condoms; this should be discussed with the doctor when using them. - **Smoking** suppresses the immune system, delays clearance of the virus and increases the risk of recurrence; quitting contributes to the success of treatment. ## Genital warts in pregnancy In pregnancy, warts can grow and multiply because of hormonal changes and the increased blood supply to the area. During pregnancy **freezing, cautery, laser, surgical removal** and the acid solution applied by the doctor can be used safely. Some creams that people apply themselves, however, **are not used** in pregnancy; for this reason self-treatment should not be used during pregnancy. Genital warts on their own are **not a reason for a caesarean section**; a vaginal birth is possible. A caesarean is considered only if the warts are large and widespread enough to block the birth canal or to cause serious bleeding at delivery. ## What if they come back? Treatments remove the wart tissue but cannot clear the virus lying dormant in the cells. For this reason warts often come back within the first few months, whichever method is used. If they come back, a different method can be tried or methods can be combined. Some untreated warts can disappear on their own within months, while others can grow. **Warts on the hands, feet and face:** these are also caused by HPV, but by different types, and they are not genital warts; they are assessed and treated by dermatologists (skin specialists). This page is about warts in the genital area. ## Prevention: the vaccine The HPV vaccine is recommended routinely **for adolescents and young adults aged 9–26**. Bivalent, quadrivalent and nine-valent vaccines exist; the one most widely used today is the nine-valent. Clinical studies have shown that the protection the vaccine gives lasts **at least 10 years**. For the detailed vaccination schedule and age recommendations you can see the [Smear and HPV Testing](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/pap-smear-ve-hpv/) page. **With any surgical procedure, results vary from person to person.** You are advised to discuss the procedure with your doctor in detail beforehand. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Which doctor should I see for genital warts? Women can see an **obstetrician-gynaecologist**; besides the warts, cervical screening (a smear or HPV test) is also planned at the examination. For men, urologists or dermatologists (skin specialists) deal with warts. ### If I have warts, do I definitely have HPV? Almost all genital warts are caused by the low-risk HPV types 6 and 11. However, not every bump in the genital area is a wart; normal skin structures, cysts or other skin conditions can look similar. This distinction is made by examination. ### How long does genital wart treatment take? It depends on the number and size of the warts and on the method chosen. A few warts can be removed in a single session; with methods such as freezing (cryotherapy) repeat sessions a few weeks apart may be needed, and creams applied to the skin are used for several weeks. Because warts can come back after treatment, a follow-up examination is important. ### Do genital warts go away on their own? Some warts disappear on their own within months thanks to the immune system; others grow and multiply. Waiting is therefore also discussed as an option at the examination; the decision depends on the warts and on the person's preference. ### What is the fastest way to get rid of genital warts? Surgical removal, cautery (burning with heat) and laser usually remove a wart in a single session; with freezing, repeat sessions a few weeks apart may be needed, and creams are used for weeks. Whichever method is chosen, warts can come back, so a follow-up examination is important. ### Does my partner need treatment too? Examination of the partner is recommended. If the partner has no visible warts, no treatment is needed; treatment is aimed only at visible warts. It is recommended to avoid sexual intercourse while treatment is ongoing and until the area has healed. ### Can I have a vaginal birth if I have genital warts in pregnancy? Yes. Genital warts on their own are not a reason for a caesarean section. A caesarean is considered only if the warts are large enough to block the birth canal or to create a risk of serious bleeding. In pregnancy freezing, cautery, laser and surgical removal can be used; some creams, however, are not used. ### Are warts on the hands and feet treated the same way? Warts on the hands, feet and face are caused by different HPV types and are not genital warts; they are treated by dermatologists (skin specialists). This page is about warts in the genital area. ### Do genital warts cause cancer? The types that cause genital warts are **the low-risk HPV 6 and 11**. The types that cause cancers are different — most often **16 and 18**. So having warts does not mean you are infected with a cancer-causing type. Even so, the screening recommendations should be followed. ### How do they look, do they hurt? They take the form of rounded bumps or plaques (raised patches) that may be skin-coloured, light and shiny, or dark grey, brown or purple; they are described as **"cauliflower-like"**. **They do not cause pain**, but they may itch or become irritated. ### What happens at the examination? The diagnosis is mostly made by examination. **3–5% acetic acid** may be applied as an aid — it makes mucosal cells (the thin tissue lining the inner surface) infected with HPV turn white and so visible. HPV DNA can also be looked for by PCR in the samples taken. Because there are other conditions that look like warts (skin tags, moles, seborrhoeic keratosis, molluscum, condylomata lata and some skin cancers), assessment is necessary. ### Do condoms protect against it? Partly. Used correctly and consistently they are quite effective, but they **do not give complete protection**: HPV can also be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact and from areas outside the barrier. It has also been documented that HPV can be transmitted without sexual intercourse — through intermediate objects such as clothing, medical equipment and surfaces, and through non-sexual skin contact. ### Which treatment is right for me? There are two families. **Tissue-destroying procedures:** freezing (cryotherapy), cautery, surgical removal and laser vaporisation. **Topical treatments:** podofilox and imiquimod (which you apply yourself) and sinecatechin ointment (applied by the doctor). The choice is made according to the site, size and extent of the warts. Surgical removal, for example, provides tissue for pathological examination, while laser is useful for widespread lesions (tissue changes) that are difficult to reach. ### Do they come back after treatment? **Yes, recurrence is common** and most people need more than one treatment session. This does not mean the treatment has not worked — it is the nature of the condition. Using tissue-destroying and topical methods together can increase clearance and reduce recurrence, particularly in widespread disease. ### Is treatment with laser or cautery safe? These heat-based methods **can release virus particles into the air**, and this carries a possible risk of warts forming in the throat. For this reason **an appropriate respirator mask and a surgical smoke extractor** need to be used during the procedure. That is why it matters that the procedure be carried out in a properly equipped setting. ### Will my immune system clear the warts on its own? HPV infection is mostly cleared by the immune system. But in **people whose immune system is suppressed** — those with systemic lupus (affecting the whole body), HIV infection or a history of organ transplant — the risk of the infection persisting is higher. Tobacco use is also among the factors that increase the risk. ## Sources 1. Nusynowitz J, Hanson M, Gessner N et al. — Infectious Diseases of the Genitals, section 3.5.1 (Human Papilloma Virus). In: Tyler K (Ed.), A Comprehensive Guide to Genital Skin Disease. Springer Nature, 2025. Epidemiology, clinical appearance, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, pathophysiology and treatment options. The information on this page is based on the national and international guidelines listed above. The page is reviewed whenever those guidelines are updated. ## Practice and Contact Details The information on this page is general. Please speak to your doctor about your own situation. - **Doctor**Op. Dr. Murat Alpay — Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology - **Address**Op. Dr. Murat Alpay Practice, Tekelioğlu Cd. No:51 B Kat:2, Filo Apt., 07160 Muratpaşa / Antalya - **Telephone**0505 351 77 88 - **Hours**Monday – Saturday 09:00 – 18:00 · Closed on Sunday [← All treatments](https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/) --- Original page: https://www.muratalpay.com.tr/en/tedaviler/genital-sigil/ Last updated: 2026-10-22 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.*