Because the virus can lie dormant in the cells, in some cases warts can return months or even years after treatment. In other cases, warts never recur. The types of HPV linked to cervical cancer usually are not the types that cause genital warts. But a woman with genital warts, like any other sexually active woman, should get yearly Pap smears. Yearly Pap smears are the best safeguard against cervical cancer.
Pap smears detect abnormal cells present on the surface of the cervix.
Cancer almost always can be prevented through the early detection and treatment of abnormal cervical tissue. Genital warts sometimes cause problems during pregnancy and delivery. Because of hormone changes in the body during pregnancy, warts can grow in size and number, bleed, or make delivery more difficult. Very rarely, babies exposed to HPV during birth may develop warts in the throat. Despite these risks, a woman with genital warts does not need to have a cesarean section delivery unless warts are blocking the birth canal.