Warts on the cervix are usually flat, and may not be palpable at all. Around the anus, warts can be mistaken for hemorrhoids. The virus is more easily spread when warts are present. Warts can be treated, but the virus may remain in your tissue and you can still give HPV to another person during sex. It is often hard to know when you were infected.
Many women have the virus for years without any signs or symptoms.
The occurrence of warts is often triggered by a stressful event. Warts may be visible on examination or may be detected on a Pap smear. The next step is to have a colposcopy done. Warts may be treated with a variety of methods. More extensive warts may require laser vaporization or excision in the operating room.