Genital warts form on the skin in the genital area. They are caused by certain subtypes of human papilloma virus (HPV), the same virus that causes warts on other body areas. Genital warts are transmitted during sexual intercourse, so are classified as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and can affect men and women. Genital warts are called condylomata acuminata or venereal warts. They can appear anywhere near the vagina, cervix, genitals or rectum.
Because genital warts can take six months to develop, you may have this infection and not presenting symptoms. The human papilloma virus can also be the cause of all cases of cervical cancer in the world. The subtypes most likely to cause cancer are different from those that usually cause warts. However, many people are infected with more than one subtype, therefore, people with genital warts are probably more likely to also be infected with a virus that causes cancer.