Sometimes wart viruses cause warts of the genital area. These warts are like soft fleshy lumps that sometimes look like small cauliflowers. Often, however, the viruses infect the area without causing obvious changes. This occurs most commonly during sex. The virus can live in the skin for many years and during that time can be passed on during sex.
HPV infection spreads easily and is very common among sexually active people.
Visible warts can be distressing, and if they are present you should see your doctor and discuss treatment. These changes can be detected on Pap smear. In most women with wart virus infection of the cervix, these changes get better without treatment. The body deals with the virus and the changes go away. However, in some women these changes have the potential to become cancer of the cervix.