Complications of Genital Warts

Human papilloma virus (HPV), the virus that causes genital warts, might also cause to cancer. HPV can most commonly cause cervical cancer. Most of the women who have been diagnosed with cervical cancer, also have HPV.

In addition, HPV has also been linked to vulvar cancer (female genital areas), anal cancer (anus), and cancer of the penis. Not all HPV infections become cancer. But having a regular Pap test, where a doctor takes a sample from the cervix (opening of the womb), is recommended to find cervical cancer early.

Genital warts lead to several complications during pregnancy. The warts might get larger during pregnancy. This causes going to the toilet to urinate very difficult for women. If the warts are found inside the vagina, the vagina cannot stretch as much during labor.

Sometimes, although very rarely, a baby will be born with genital warts in their throats. This might be a very serious problem. The child might have difficulty (problem) breathing. So, laser surgery is done to remove the warts from the throat to allow the baby to breathe.