Gynecological exam for genital warts (human papillomavirus)

Gynecological exam for genital warts (human papillomavirus)
Exam Overview
Why It Is Done
Results
What To Think About
Credits

Content provided by Healthwise

Exam Overview

A gynecological exam for genital warts includes:

The visual exam and the speculum exam are the most important for diagnosing genital warts.

Some health professionals may use an acetowhite test to make the warts more visible. A vinegar solution (weak acetic acid) may be applied to the skin to show the difference between normal and abnormal tissue. A slight burning sensation may occur when the acetic acid is applied. The acetowhite test is not routinely recommended to confirm genital warts.

The size, position, and appearance of the rectum, vagina, cervix, uterus, and ovaries are determined during these exams.

Why It Is Done

A gynecological exam may be done as part of a routine checkup or to determine whether you have genital warts or other sexually transmitted diseases.

Results

Findings of a gynecological exam may include the following.

Normal

Genital warts are not seen during the exam. HPV may be present even if the exam is normal and no genital warts are seen. Many women infected with HPV do not have visible genital warts.

Abnormal

Genital warts are seen during the exam. Treatment is based on:

The number, size, and location of visible warts.
Your symptoms.
Your preferences.

An HPV infection that causes an abnormal Pap test will be treated differently than HPV that causes visible genital warts.

What To Think About

Genital warts may be discovered during a routine gynecological exam. Many women do not notice genital warts if the warts are small or are on the vagina or cervix.

Complete the medical test information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you prepare for this test.

Credits

Author	Robin Parks, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Primary Medical Reviewer	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH - Infectious Disease
Last Updated	August 17, 2006

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Last updated:	August 17, 2006
Author:	Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine, Jeanne Marrazzo, MD, MPH - Infectious Disease
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman

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