Genital wart removal in London.

Genital warts explained

Genital warts are small, soft growths on the genital or anal skin caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the UK, and the types that cause them — usually HPV 6 and 11 — are low-risk: they are not the high-risk types linked to cervical or other cancers. In other words, genital warts are harmless in themselves, but they are contagious and can be uncomfortable or distressing.

Warts are passed on by close skin-to-skin genital contact. They can appear weeks or months after contact, so their arrival does not necessarily indicate a recent partner. Treatment clears the visible warts and reduces the chance of passing them on; it does not remove HPV from the body entirely, which is why warts can sometimes return.

Symptoms and where they appear

Genital warts can be single or in clusters and vary a great deal in appearance. Many cause no symptoms at all beyond the lump itself; some itch or, rarely, bleed. They can appear on the:

• Penis, foreskin and scrotum
• Vulva, and around or just inside the vaginal opening
• Skin around the anus and, in some cases, the anal canal (anal warts)
• Groin and upper thighs

They may be flat and barely raised, small and raised, or grouped into a soft cauliflower-like cluster. Some become firm or keratinised over time. Because other harmless bumps can look similar, an in-person look is the only reliable way to know what you are dealing with.

How we diagnose genital warts

Diagnosis is usually straightforward and made by a doctor examining the area in a private, unhurried appointment. In most cases no swab or blood test is needed to identify a wart. Part of the value of seeing a doctor is telling genuine warts apart from the harmless look-alikes below — treating something that does not need treating helps no one. Where anything looks atypical, a small sample can be sent for histology. As genital warts are sexually transmitted, we can also arrange discreet screening for other infections if you would like it.

Treatment options

There is no single “best” treatment — the right choice depends on the number, size, type and site of the warts, and on what you would prefer. Your doctor will talk you through the options and, in many cases, can begin treatment the same day.

• Cryotherapy (freezing) — liquid nitrogen freezes the wart to destroy it and prompt your immune system. Quick, done in the clinic, and often repeated every few weeks until clear.
• Cautery / hyfrecation — the wart is removed using controlled heat under local anaesthetic, useful for raised or stubborn warts.
• Minor surgical removal (excision or curettage) — for larger or persistent warts, removal under local anaesthetic, so the area is numb.
• Prescription topical treatments — medical creams or solutions to use at home between visits where they are suitable.

People often ask about laser removal. Laser is only one of several ways to destroy a wart and offers no advantage for most cases — cryotherapy and cautery are effective, well tolerated and appropriate for the great majority of genital warts. Whichever method is used, more than one visit is often needed, because HPV is a virus and can bring warts back while the skin clears; we will be realistic with you about this.

Related growths we can tell apart and treat

Several completely harmless bumps are frequently mistaken for genital warts. Getting the diagnosis right matters — some of these need no treatment at all. We can identify and, where you wish, remove:

• Skin tags in the genital or groin area — harmless, and easily removed if they catch or bother you
• Pearly penile papules (PPP) — a normal ring of tiny bumps around the head of the penis; harmless and not an infection, though removal is possible if they cause distress
• Molluscum contagiosum — small, pearly, dimpled spots caused by a different virus
• Anal warts — warts around the anus, treated with the same discreet approach

Genital wart removal in East London

Our Whitechapel clinic offers private, doctor-led genital wart removal with same-week, fully confidential appointments and no GP referral — a few minutes from Aldgate East and Whitechapel stations and easily reached from across East London and the Docklands. Patients come to us from:

• Whitechapel
• Aldgate
• Stepney
• Bethnal Green
• Shadwell
• Mile End
• Bow
• Limehouse
• Wapping
• Poplar
• Canary Wharf
• Isle of Dogs
• City of London
• Shoreditch
• Stratford

Pricing

We agree the price with you before anything is booked. Treatment is priced per session; the number of sessions depends on the number, size and stubbornness of the warts. An initial consultation lets us confirm the diagnosis and give you an honest, itemised plan.

Typical price ranges

Item	From–to
Genital wart removalPer session — more than one is often needed	£250–£350
HistologyOnly if a growth looks atypical	£120–£200

Final price is confirmed after your assessment, which includes a realistic idea of how many sessions may be needed. Any screening for other infections is quoted separately and only with your consent.

See the full fees & pricing page, or related services: sexual health, skin tag removal and minor surgery.

Aftercare and recovery

• The treated area may be sore, red or blistered for a few days — this is normal and settles
• Keep the area clean and dry; avoid picking or rubbing it
• It is sensible to avoid sexual contact until the area has healed and your doctor advises it is fine
• Condoms reduce, but do not fully remove, the risk of passing HPV on, as they do not cover all skin
• Further sessions are usually spaced a few weeks apart until the warts have cleared

Risks and considerations

• Soreness, blistering or a small mark at the treated site for a few days
• Recurrence — HPV can persist, so warts can come back or appear nearby even after successful treatment
• Incomplete clearance — some warts are stubborn and need several sessions
• Temporary colour change at the treated site, particularly on darker skin
• The HPV vaccine (Gardasil) protects against the types that cause most genital warts and is worth discussing, especially if you have not completed a course

When to see us

Book if you have noticed a new lump or cluster on the genital or anal skin, if warts are spreading or bothering you, or if you would simply like a discreet, definite answer. Please be seen promptly if a lesion is bleeding, growing quickly, painful, or looks unusual — and see our sexual health service if you would also like testing for other infections.

Frequently asked questions

How much does genital wart removal cost in London?

Treatment is typically £250–£350 per session, and more than one session is often needed. Histology, only if a growth looks atypical, is a further £120–£200. The likely number of sessions is discussed at your assessment, and the full price list is on our fees page.

Is the appointment confidential?

Completely. Your appointment and records are private, you do not need a GP referral, and nothing is shared with your GP or anyone else without your explicit consent.

Does treatment hurt?

Cryotherapy causes a brief stinging or burning as the wart is frozen. Cautery and surgical removal are carried out under local anaesthetic, so the area is numb. The site can feel sore for a few days afterwards, but the treatments are well tolerated.

Will the warts come back?

They can. Treatment removes the visible warts, but HPV can remain in the skin, so warts sometimes recur or appear nearby. Completing the course of sessions and, where appropriate, the HPV vaccine reduce the chance.

Do genital warts mean I have a serious infection or cancer risk?

No. The HPV types that cause genital warts (usually 6 and 11) are low-risk and are not the types that cause cervical or other cancers. Warts are harmless in themselves — the main reasons to treat them are comfort, appearance and reducing spread.

Should my partner be seen, and can I still have sex?

It is sensible to avoid sexual contact until the area has healed and your doctor advises it is fine. Partners can be seen if they have symptoms or would like a check. Condoms lower the risk of passing HPV on but do not remove it entirely.

Do I need a GP referral?

No. You can book a private appointment directly, and in many cases treatment can begin the same day.