Sexual Health › Genital Warts
Genital Warts: Diagnosis and Treatment in Busan
Genital warts are soft, skin-colored growths caused by certain low-risk types of HPV. They are not dangerous, but they can be uncomfortable or distressing. An OB/GYN can usually diagnose them on sight and offer several treatment options.
What genital warts are
Most genital warts are caused by HPV types 6 and 11, which spread through skin-to-skin sexual contact. Warts may appear weeks to months after exposure, as single bumps or cauliflower-like clusters on the vulva, around the vaginal opening, the anus or the cervix. These wart-causing types are different from the high-risk HPV types linked to cervical cancer, though a person can carry both.
When to see a doctor
- New bumps, growths or rough patches in the genital or anal area
- Itching, bleeding or discomfort from existing warts
- A partner has been diagnosed with warts
- You are pregnant and notice new growths
Other conditions can look similar, so it is worth having any new lump checked rather than self-treating.
What the visit involves
The doctor examines the area and may check the vagina and cervix with a speculum. Diagnosis is usually visual. A biopsy is sometimes taken if the lesion looks unusual or does not respond to treatment. The doctor may also suggest a Pap smear or HPV test if you are due for cervical screening.
Treatment options
- Cryotherapy (freezing) in the clinic, often repeated every 1 to 2 weeks
- Prescription creams applied at home over several weeks
- Electrocautery or laser removal for larger or stubborn warts, usually with local anesthetic
Treatment removes visible warts but not the virus, so warts can return. Many cases clear over time as the immune system controls the infection.
Cost and insurance
Diagnosis and standard wart treatment are often partly covered under National Health Insurance (NHI), while laser removal and some creams may be self-pay. Ask for a quote for the full course, since several sessions may be needed. HPV vaccination, which protects against wart-causing types, is covered on its own page.
Tips for foreigners
- Bring your ARC or passport and call ahead about English-speaking staff (1330 can interpret).
- Ask how many sessions are expected and the price per session.
- Use condoms, though they do not cover all affected skin.
See international patients for more help.
Related
Elsewhere in Korea
When to get help sooner
See a doctor promptly if a growth bleeds, grows quickly, becomes hard or ulcerated, or if you are pregnant and warts are enlarging. Any new lump that does not look like a typical wart should be examined.
Busan clinics for genital wart care
These clinics are listed in our directory with STD testing or extended hours. Call ahead to confirm which wart treatments they offer.
| Clinic | Area | Phone | Listed features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roaen OB/GYN Clinic | Seomyeon (Bujeon-dong) | 051-804-3000 | Sat, Evenings, STD tests |
| Eroom Women's Clinic (Seomyeon) | Seomyeon (Bujeon-dong) | Not listed | Sat, STD tests, Fertility |
| Mirae Women's Hospital | Gaegeum | 051-890-9999 | Sat, STD tests |
| Queens Park Women's Hospital | Jwa-dong (Jangsan) | 051-715-4100 | Delivers, Sat, STD tests |
| Eve & Adam Women's Clinic | Centum City (U-dong) | 051-743-7585 | Sat, Evenings, STD tests |
| Samsung Jeil OB/GYN Clinic | Centum City (U-dong) | 051-747-3999 | Sat, STD tests, Fertility |
| Sehwa Hospital | Oncheon-dong | Not listed | Sat, STD tests, Fertility |
| Mari Women's Clinic | Daeyeon-dong (Kyungsung-Pukyong Univ) | 051-626-1009 | Sat, STD tests |
| She's Bon OB/GYN Clinic | Suyeong / Millak area | Not listed | Sat, STD tests |
| L Women's Clinic | Hadan-dong | 051-207-2727 | Sat, Evenings, STD tests |
| The Mizwell OB/GYN Clinic | Hwamyeong-dong | 051-365-3575 | Female doctor, Delivers, Sat, STD tests, Fertility |
Genital warts FAQ
Do genital warts cause cancer?
The HPV types that usually cause warts are low-risk and rarely linked to cancer. Keep up with regular cervical screening anyway, since you can carry several HPV types.
Can I use over-the-counter wart remover?
No. Products for hand or foot warts are not meant for genital skin and can cause burns. Use only treatments a doctor prescribes.
Will the warts come back?
They can, especially in the first months after treatment. Recurrences are treated the same way and often become less frequent over time.
Does the HPV vaccine help if I already have warts?
It does not treat existing warts, but it can protect against HPV types you have not yet been exposed to. Discuss it with your doctor.