WARNING: The Embarrassing Bodies website contains images of an explicit medical nature and nudity in a medical context.

Conditions

Genital Warts

Anal warts

Genital warts are the most common STI seen at genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics throughout the UK. Caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), of which there are over 100 different types, most genital warts are caused by just two types of the virus (types 6 and 11). The virus is easily passed from one person to another (men and women) through sexual contact. But you don’t need to have penetrative sex to catch them, as close genital contact (skin to skin) is enough to pass it on. Most people will not develop warts and the virus will go away without treatment, but you may not know whether you or your partner has the virus. If you do get visible warts you might notice small, fleshy growths, bumps or skin changes which may appear anywhere in the genital or anal area, either externally on the skin or internally. Treatment can involve prescription creams (but not over-the-counter wart preparations); freezing them; using a laser; or surgery.

If you’re suffering from any of the conditions featured on this site and want to apply for an onscreen consultation with one of the EB team then you can find more details here >>

Remember that you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.

What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments and Questions

The EB doctors have been looking at your comments and have answered some of the common questions below. Remember that it is always best to check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.

You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments & Questions are reviewed by moderators, but if you see anything on the site that worries you, please report it and one of our moderators will look at it as soon as possible.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

Hi, im 17 years old and have just realised small white bumps on my vulva. They are in the inside of the vaginal lips - there is one near my clitiros and a gathering of more bumps in the inner lips of the vulva. They are not painful - causing any discomfort or inflamed. Is it an allergic reaction or and STD ?





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

my friends husband has genital warts and has told her its a symptom of his diabeties, am i wrong in thinking thats a lie





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

It is not a sign of diabeties it is the HPV virus

I have had since puberty small ( few mm across), hard, whitish lumps on my penis, mainly several groupings of 3 or so, especially on underside, they have tiny hole at tops and discharge a little white creamy pus when squezzed very hard. i visited a doctor and he told me it was normal, based on hair follicles, and not a problem. I don't see these on anyone else's penis, thougth I haven't seen that many. they dont cause pain but make me self consciuos when with a new partner and it's making me not want to have sex. HELP!





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.


Please don't swear or be rude in your answers, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting answers. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

Questions submitted to the site will be answered by other site users, not by medical professionals, so if you have a medical concern, please book an appointment with your GP.

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Thank you for visiting our web site and for discussing your problem so openly. If you would like the opportunity to be seen by one of the Embarrassing Bodies Doctors and have your problems assessed and treated by a specialist, then why not apply for the chance to take part in the programme. Please visit the following link and click ‘Apply to be on the show’ where you can fill in an application form: http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/features/be-on-embarrassing-bodies/

i was diagnosed with genital wart last year in sep and i had freeing treatment and none have come back , i was wondering when they have gone and not come back for a while , how likely is it for me to pass on the virus? say i wanted to start a family , would i pass it on when not using condoms?





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

You will always have the HPV virus in your body, just because you have no active warts does not mean it has gone away in reagrds to passing on when pregnant I don't know the answer to that one, sorry

For a couple of months i had been itching my vagina badly and thought it was thrush put cream i had previously been prescribed on the area sort of went away, in this time i hadnt had sex, and then a small white lump appeared under my skin, i left it and then a few days later more appeared turned out i had genital warts. i would like to just say if anyone thinks they may have this goto a clinic straight away dont be embarrassed and let it get worse like i did.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

hi, i have a white lump on my penis which i have popped a few times and white puss has come out but it has only gotten bigger what is it?





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Thank you for visiting our web site and for discussing your problem so openly. If you would like the opportunity to be seen by one of the Embarrassing Bodies Doctors and have your problems assessed and treated by a specialist, then why not apply for the chance to take part in the programme. Please visit the following link and click ‘Apply to be on the show’ where you can fill in an application form: http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/features/be-on-embarrassing-bodies/

hi iv just came 17 years old, still looking for the right person, so im still a virgin, so what.. but i have some kind of warts mostly under my forskin, they are the same colour as the skin near enough... im worried, i didnt think it would be genital warts... iv had the problem just before my 16th birthday and havent got the courage to go to the doctors... if its just a temperay thing as i seen on a comment on here, then why have i had them for over a year now? i really want to get rid of them, because iv met a great girl and dont want them when it comes to having sex, please comment =D





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

I had the same. I thought that it would go away after time but instead, the infection spread. I spoke with my GP but you are normally sent to a GUM clinic (you can make an appointment there yourself without the GP). I was given a dose of freezing and a supply of acidic cream. Sorted the problem.

Thank you for visiting our web site and for discussing your problem so openly. If you would like the opportunity to be seen by one of the Embarrassing Bodies Doctors and have your problems assessed and treated by a specialist, then why not apply for the chance to take part in the programme. Please visit the following link and click ‘Apply to be on the show’ where you can fill in an application form: http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/features/be-on-embarrassing-bodies/

Hi, im 16 and on the rib of my penis and on my forskin i have what look like tiny white head spots. Its not painful but if rubed it can sting somethimes.Quite often my penis gives off a bad odur too. I wash it regularly but after a little while the odur comes back. Ive been to the doctors about it twice, once i was prescribed a cream and the second time nothing. Could you tell me wat this is please.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Thank you for visiting our web site and for discussing your problem so openly. If you would like the opportunity to be seen by one of the Embarrassing Bodies Doctors and have your problems assessed and treated by a specialist, then why not apply for the chance to take part in the programme. Please visit the following link and click ‘Apply to be on the show’ where you can fill in an application form: http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/features/be-on-embarrassing-bodies/

I have small lumps around my vagina and anus, i'm too embarassed to be examined by my doctor, where else can i go? x





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.


Please don't swear or be rude in your answers, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting answers. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

Questions submitted to the site will be answered by other site users, not by medical professionals, so if you have a medical concern, please book an appointment with your GP.

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

you can go to the clinic :). if you dont want to go to your doctor you can see a nurse. am sure you will be fine, just remember your both women when you go. i have to see a woman doctor to make me feel more comfortable.

Thank you for visiting our web site and for discussing your problem so openly. If you would like the opportunity to be seen by one of the Embarrassing Bodies Doctors and have your problems assessed and treated by a specialist, then why not apply for the chance to take part in the programme. Please visit the following link and click ‘Apply to be on the show’ where you can fill in an application form: http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/features/be-on-embarrassing-bodies/

I am 17 years old and have not had sex or oral sex and the last time I had physical contanct with a male was in December. Earlier on this year I noticed a red mark on my vigina it had not risen and did not hurt so I just left it. This morning I looked at it and it had risen and turnes purple but still did not hurt. Assuming it was a spot I popped it and pus type liquid came out and so did some blood. I ahve done some research and the best conclusion I can come to is that it is a blood blister. However, I was wondering if it could be anything else or if there are any precautions I should take.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

It sounds like an infected hair folical, you have to get anti biotics to treat it, well that's what my doctor gave me ;) good luck x





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.



Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.



Please don't swear or be rude in your questions, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting questions. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

Questions submitted to the site will be answered by other site users, not by medical professionals, so if you have a medical concern, please book an appointment with your GP.

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines


Important Notice

The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.


If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here


More Information

  1. Consultation: Anal Warts

    In Videos - Dr Dawn Harper diagnoses a patient with anal warts

  2. Quick Health Advice: Warts and Verrucas

    In Videos - Dr McKenna looks at the causes of warts and verrucas and some of th…

  3. Boys, Boys, Boys

    In Episodes - Episode 3 of Embarrassing Teenage Bodies takes a closer look at bin…

  4. Teens Below the Belt

    In Episodes - Episode 4 of Embarrassing Teenage Bodies tackles conditions includi…

  5. Vaginas

    In Episodes - The EI team roll into Norwich to setup a clinic in one of the count…

  6. Am I Normal?

    In Episodes - Episode 2 of Embarrassing Teenage Bodies looks at conditions includ…

  7. Breasts

    In Episodes - In this second of four specials, the Embarrassing Illnesses doctors…

  8. Men

    In Episodes - The EI Docs go in search of the most elusive creature in the doctor…

  9. Consultation: Vaginal Prolapse

    In Videos - Dr Harper examines a woman who has suffered a prolapsed vagina afte…

  10. Bodies Behaving Badly

    In Episodes - Episode 1 of Embarrassing Teenage Bodies examines conditions includ…

  11. Consultation: Soreness on the Penis

    In Videos - A patient is examined for soreness around his penis

  12. Consultation: Second Adult Circumcision

    In Videos - Dr Jessen examines a patient in need of a new circumcision

  13. Consultation: Painful Penis

    In Videos - Dr Jessen treats a patient whose pleasures in life have been severe…

  14. Quick Health Advice: Piles

    In Videos - Dr Jessen passes on some advice about the causes of piles and the p…

  15. Consultation: Prostate Cancer

    In Videos - Dr Jessen treats a patient whose Prostate Cancer has worsened in re…


More Information

Content supplied by NHS Choices

Genital warts are an infection of the skin of the genital and anal area, and the mucous membranes (lining) of the vagina, cervix and rectum. They are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). Read More »

Be On Embarrassing Bodies

If you have a medical condition that you’d like the doctors to look at then please contact the team on 0121 224 8395.
Apply for the show here >