GenitalWarts

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5 tips for finding your LGBTQ community in Sydney

Are you new to Sydney and looking to find your community? ACON has you covered with their ‘Top 5 tips for finding your community when you arrive in Sydney! – LGBTQ edition’. This month, the International Student Health Hub is sharing a blog post written by our wonderful friends over […]

What are the four C’s of Safe Sex?

What do you think about when you hear the term ‘safe sex’? People often think the term safe sex is only about protecting themselves and partners from unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmissible infections (STIs). But safe sex means much more than that – it’s not just about whether you’re being sexually […]

What is the International Student Health Hub and how can I get involved?

Welcome to the International Student Health Hub! The International Student Health Hub was designed by international students and professionals who support students, for international students. The Hub was developed to improve access to sexual and reproductive health information and services. Lots of students told us it was hard to find […]

Visit the blog

5 tips for finding your LGBTQ community in Sydney

What are the four C’s of Safe Sex?

What is the International Student Health Hub and how can I get involved?

What are genital warts?

Genital warts are lumps on the skin around the penis, vagina or anus (bottom) and caused by an infection called human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is very common. Genital warts are usually painless and can disappear without treatment.

How do you get genital warts?

Genital warts (genital HPV) can be passed from person to person through skin to skin contact when you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has them. Genital warts usually appear from 3-12 months after getting HPV.

How do you prevent genital warts?

Get the HPV vaccine. The vaccine protects against the most common types of HPV that cause genital warts and cervical cancer. Talk to your doctor to see if you should get the HPV vaccine.
Use condoms or dams during vaginal, oral and anal sex. Condoms will reduce the chance of genital warts from being passed on.
Make sure you change condoms between partners and when sharing sex toys.
Use dams during oral sex. Dams will limit skin to skin contact and reduce the chance of genital warts from being passed on.
Avoid shaving or waxing affected areas if you have genital warts.
Test for STIs and HIV every 3-12 months. It is important and part of a healthy confident sex life.

What are the tests for genital warts?

Genital warts aren’t part of a routine STI test. It you see any new lumps on your genitals, you can get checked for genital warts by having a doctor or nurse check the skin of the genitals. If you have genital warts, you should get tested for other STIs. STI tests are easy, confidential and nothing to be ashamed about.

You can get an STI test at your local doctor, a sexual health clinic and some university health clinics. You can call the Sexual Health Infolink on
1800 451 624 (free call) to find the closest service to you. STI tests are easy, confidential and nothing to be ashamed about.

What is the treatment for genital warts?

Genital warts can stay the same, get worse or go away without treatment. Most people want them treated. You can treat genital warts with a special paint or cream that you get from your doctor.

If you would like an interpreter to help you access health services or information, you can contact the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450.