Can genital warts appear during pregnancy?

Yes. Hormone changes during pregnancy can cause genital warts to get bigger. They may grow so big that they block the vagina, making a cesarean section (also called c-section) necessary. Very rarely, HPV can pass from mother to baby, causing warts to grow on the baby’s vocal chords.

Where are HPV genital warts located?

In women, the warts usually occur in or around the vagina, on the cervix, or around the anus. In men, genital warts are less common.

Where do genital warts grow on females?

In women, genital warts appear in and around the vagina or anus, or on the cervix. They might be very small or appear as large clusters. They may be reddish in color or white. Sometimes, you can have genital warts but show no symptoms at all.

Can genital warts be anywhere?

In women, warts can develop on the outside and inside of the vagina, on the cervix (the opening to the uterus), or around the anus. In men, they may be seen on the tip of the penis, the shaft of the penis, on the scrotum, or around the anus.

Does pregnancy make genital warts worse?

If a pregnant woman has genital warts, the doctor will monitor to see if the warts get larger. Hormone changes during pregnancy can cause the warts to multiply or get larger.

Can you have a natural birth with genital warts?

Having genital warts shouldn’t affect your delivery. Sometimes, large warts may cause bleeding during delivery. Rarely, genital warts can grow large enough during pregnancy to block the birth canal or make childbirth more difficult. If this happens, your doctor will likely recommend having a cesarean delivery.

What can be mistaken for genital warts?

Genital warts can be mistaken for harmless things like moles, skin tags, or penile pearly papules (small bumps found around the edge of the head of the penis and also the entrance of the vagina). These things aren’t infections. They’re just normal parts of you.

Can genital warts be really small?

Genital warts can be raised or flat, small or large. Sometimes they’re grouped together in a cauliflower-like shape. Some warts can be so small and flat that they’re not noticed right away. Most of the time, genital warts are painless.

How do I know if I’ve got genital warts?

Genital warts look like skin-colored or whitish bumps that show up on your vulva, vagina, cervix, penis, scrotum, or anus. They kind of look like little pieces of cauliflower. You can have just one wart or a bunch of them, and they can be big or small. They might be itchy, but most of the time they don’t hurt.

Why do I have genital warts but my partner doesn t?

Just because you can’t see warts on your partner doesn’t mean they don’t have HPV. The infection can have a long incubation period. This means that months can pass between the time a person is infected with the virus and the time a person notices genital warts. Sometimes, the warts can take years to develop.

Can I have a natural birth with genital warts?

Will genital warts go away after pregnancy?

The warts are usually soft and skin-colored, varying in size. Aside from occasionally itching, burning or bleeding, the warts are usually painless. For many women, warts will resolve on their own and disappear within a few months.