Because so many people get HPV, it may sound unavoidable. But genital warts can be prevented. In order to protect yourself, health experts recommend that you use a condom when having sex. Condoms don't prevent against HPV as well as they do against more serious STDs like HIV, but they definitely help. If you use other methods of birth control (like the pill or ring), be aware that most do not protect against STIs. There is a new shot available for girls, between the ages of nine and twenty-six, which helps prevent the spread of HPV. For more information on the shot, talk to your doctor. Also, talking to your partner about his or her sexual history can alert you to any possible diseases or infections.
Even if you do get genital warts, keep in mind they aren't usually permanent. Sometimes HPV goes away by itself, without any special treatment. However, if it doesn't, genital warts may grow into larger masses that cause people more discomfort than individual warts do. If this happens, doctors can remove the warts with freezing or burning techniques, or laser treatment.
