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Whittall Street Clinic is featured in Channel 4's new programme ‘The Sex Clinic’, starts 10pm Thursday 11th April.
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New Rapid HIV Testing clinic at St Martin’s in the Bullring
Now open every Tuesday 11.00am - 3.15pm - no appointment needed.
The clinic is located upstairs in the St Martin’s Centre for Health & Healing next to the Church in the Bullring. Entrance to the clinic is via St Martin’s church shop.
Genital warts and HPV
Genital warts are caused by a virus known as the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). There are many different types of the HPV but types 6 and 11 are the common causes of ano-genital warts. Most warts disappear on their own. Warts tend to re-appear after some time.
Genital warts are the most commonly diagnosed sexually transmitted infection in the UK. Further information about Genital Warts and HPV. It is possible that many infected people carry the HPV virus without showing symptoms. Most individuals infected with HPV clear the infection without having warts.
Infection with HPV can only be diagnosed if a person has warts. It is advisable that those who have had sex with someone with genital warts should have a full sexual health screen. The doctor or nurse can check for warts at the same time. Book an appointment online.
How is HPV passed on?
Genital warts can be passed on by:
- Unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex with someone with the HPV virus
- Skin-to-skin contact with someone who has warts
- Sharing sex toys with someone who has the HPV virus
HPV can be transmitted from infected people who have never had warts too.
Symptoms
Warts may appear as small fleshy growths or bumps which can be anywhere in the genital and around anus skin. Some warts can cause mild itching. Warts can affect skin around the anus of individuals who have never had anal sex too.
How are warts diagnosed?
Diagnosis of warts is clinical. Warts can appear in different ways for different people, so if you notice any changes at all it’s important to get checked out.
What is the treatment for warts?
Warts are relatively harmless and will most of the times clear up without treatment.
There is no treatment available to eradicate HPV. The treatments offered for warts are mostly to expedite clearance of warts (for cosmetic reasons). There are two types of warts treatments available:
- Creams: that can be applied at home. Most of the warts disappear to creams within 4-5 weeks of treatment.
- Cryotherapy: Freezing warts with liquid nitrogen is another method for treatment of genital warts. This can only be applied by doctors and nurses and patients therefore need to attend the clinic every week.
The above treatments are equally effective. Neither cause faster clearance of warts than the other.
Do not try to remove the warts yourself. This can lead to further viral shedding that results in more extensive warts reappearance.
HPV and cancer
Some of HPV types can cause cancer if not treated effectively. Cancer of cervix (neck of womb), vulva, vagina, anus, and penis have been linked to HPV types 16 and 18. These are not the common types of HPV.
Cancer of cervix is relatively common in certain groups of patients. It is therefore important for women with genital warts to make sure their cervical screening is up to date.
HPV and pregnancy
Because of changes in defence (immune) system during pregnancy, some women may show genital warts. During pregnancy, genital warts can be treated with cryotherapy. Having genital warts exceptionally rarely affects the baby during birth. Pregnant women with warts are therefore reassured of the lack of health risk of their babies.
You can help protect yourself against HPV by using condoms every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex.
