Genital Warts

Your healthcare provider can diagnose external genital warts by looking at them and may request a biopsy to confirm. Internal warts are more challenging to diagnose.

Providers use the following tests to diagnose genital warts:

• Pelvic exam: You may get a Pap test as part of a pelvic exam to check for cervical changes caused by genital warts. Your provider may also perform a colposcopy to examine and biopsy your vagina and cervix.
• Anal exam: Your provider uses a device called an anoscope to look inside your anus for warts.

Contact a healthcare provider if you think you have a genital wart. Other sexually transmitted infections (and even things like moles or skin tags) resemble genital warts. An accurate diagnosis is necessary so you get the right treatment.