Genital warts is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the world today. Many people - especially women - have no symptoms at all and don't even realize they are infected. This is why STD testing is an absolute necessity for anyone who is sexually active. Women who have contracted genital warts have increased health risks and must remain extra vigilant when it comes to their reproductive health in later years.

Once a woman has been exposed to certain types of HPV (also known as Human Papillomaviruses), especially those that cause genital warts - she is at an increased risk of developing cervical cancer, uterine cancer and other cancers of the reproductive organs. Once a woman has been exposed to HPV, also known as Human Papillomaviruses, it is imperative that she find out which type of HPV she has been exposed to and whether or not it can lead to increased cancer risk.

 Because genital warts can be so much more than a mere nuisance, it's important that all women get themselves checked regularly for HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases. This is especially true for women who aren't in monogamous relationships or who have more than one sexual partner.

Men and women alike can carry HPV and not have a visible "outbreak" of genital warts, this makes simply looking at your partner's genitals a less than safe method of checking for STDs. It cannot be stressed enough - many people who have HPV, have never had any type of symptoms or "outbreaks," they likely don't even know that they are infected.

Genital warts can be transmitted through vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, oral sex and even simple foreplay. This is why it's especially important for women to protect themselves by insisting that their their partner(s) use condoms for intercourse and dental dams for oral sex.

There a few ways women can help protect themselves from genital warts. If not in a committed, monogamous relationship - practice abstinence - this is the safest and most effective way to avoid being infected with any STD. If in a relationship or just wishing to be cautious, there is a recent vaccine for HPV that can help protect against
a few of the most common genital wart-causing strains of HPV. The vaccines do not work after a woman has already been infected with or exposed to genital warts.

Another important point to know about genital warts, is the fact that they can affect future pregnancy and delivery of a baby. If a woman has an active outbreak during labor, her doctor is more likely to recommend a cesarean section to ensure that the HPV is not passed on to her baby. As well, during pregnancy, a woman is more likely to have outbreaks of genital warts and larger lesions than she would any other time.

While abstinence or being in a committed relationship is usually the most effective way for women to protect themselves from genital warts, educating themselves and taking proper precautions is one of the best ways to prevent infections.