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HPV, or papillomavirus, the virus associated with genital warts, can sometimes be benign. These warts are considered low risk genital warts, and are simply infections in the skin that do not grow.

These benign genital warts do not cause cancer. HPV usually increases your risk of cancer, but these almost harmless skin infections are not related to the development of cancer.

You can get these low risk genital warts in several ways. They can be spread through touching the infected area of another person's body. You can also get these benign genital warts by touching infected surfaces or objects. Like the warts associated with HPV, these warts often do not appear until months after the initial infection. Because of this, it can be hard to tell which kinds of warts you have, if you find that you have genital warts.

One of the most well-known risks of developing the virus HPV is that you may develop a variety of cancers later in life, including genital, anal or cervix cancer. There are different kinds of HPV, and these cancer risks are associated with viruses that affect the mucous membranes in your genitals. Because you want to know if you are at risk for these types of cancer, it is very important to know which kind of warts you have developed.

If you are female, the risks are much higher. Whether you are a man or woman, you should see your doctor as soon as possible if you find that you have genital warts. Your doctor can easily determine which kind of genital warts, cancer-causing or benign, you have. Your doctor can use a technique called aceto-whitening to make the warts more easily visible. This is an acetic solution that the doctor applies on the warts for several minutes. The area where the solution is applied turns white. Your doctor can also look at the area with specific magnifying equipment to have a closer look at the warts or lesions. If your doctor suspects that you may be at risk, they will perform a biopsy to make sure.

Your doctor may find that the warts are benign and there is no risk of cancer, but they will probably still want you to come in and perform pap smears a few times a year. You should definitely have a pap smear when there is an outbreak. If the warts are non-cancerous, your doctor will treat them in order to make you more comfortable. For these low risk warts, you can use topical creams at home that your doctor can prescribe for you. You won't need to be treated entirely at the doctor's office.

Keep in mind that there is no cure for HPV. Your doctor can remove the harmless warts you may develop, but the virus itself has no cure. Once your doctor removes the warts, remember that you may suffer another outbreak at any time. In that case you will need to go to the doctor again for treatment.

You can also find more info on genital warts medications and genital warts prescription treatments. TreatGenitalWarts.org is a comprehensive resource to help individuals with genital warts to identify symptoms, prevention and treatment options.