Genital Warts Treatment in Karachi — Laser & Cautery by Dr. Abdullah Iqbal

In my clinic at Karachi Piles Clinic, I see patients every week who come in quietly — sometimes nervous, sometimes embarrassed — with the same worry: they have noticed small bumps or growths in their private area and they do not know what to do. Let me say this right at the start: you are not alone, and coming to see a doctor was the right decision. Genital warts are one of the most common problems I treat. They can look worrying, but they are very treatable. I am Dr. Abdullah Iqbal — a surgeon at Hill Park General Hospital, Karachi. I offer two simple treatment options: a burning treatment (cauterization) for PKR 50,000 or a laser removal for PKR 80,000. Both are quick, done with a numbing injection only, and you go home the same day.

What Are Genital Warts? (Genital warts kya hain?)

Think of genital warts as small soft bumps that grow around the private parts. They are caused by a very common germ called HPV — short for Human Papillomavirus. HPV works a lot like a cold virus: millions of people carry it, and most of them never even know. A smaller number of those people develop these bumps, which we call genital warts.

I always explain to my patients: just because you have these warts does not mean you did something terribly wrong. HPV spreads very easily through close skin contact — it is one of the most common infections in the world. There is no shame in it.

One important thing I want to be very clear about — the type of HPV that causes these visible warts is NOT the dangerous type. There are many types of HPV. The ones that cause warts are what we call the harmless types. The types that can cause cancer are completely different. I mention this because I don’t like to see patients worrying unnecessarily about cancer when they see warts. They are different problems.

What Do Genital Warts Look Like?

When a patient comes to me worried about bumps in their private area, the first thing I do is look carefully. What I usually see varies quite a bit from person to person. Some patients have just one small bump — soft to the touch, skin-coloured or slightly pink. Others have many bumps grouped together, and they can look a little like tiny clusters of small grapes or cauliflower. Both are possible and both are normal.

Sometimes these bumps are so flat you can barely see them. Other times they are raised and quite noticeable. In most cases they do not hurt — but sometimes they itch or bleed slightly when clothing rubs on them.

I don’t like to see patients waiting too long before coming in. The earlier you come, the smaller the warts usually are, and the simpler the treatment. Please do not wait months hoping they will go away on their own.

In Men and Women — Where Do They Usually Appear?

In men, I usually find them around the penis, around the loose skin near the tip, on the area below the penis, or around the back passage. In women, they appear around or inside the opening of the private area, around the back passage, or sometimes on the neck of the womb — which I can only see with a small instrument during examination.

Something I always tell my patients — many people carry this virus inside them without ever getting visible warts. So if your partner has no visible bumps, it does not mean they definitely do not have the virus. And if you have warts, it does not always mean you got them recently. The virus can stay inside the body for months or years before showing up.

What About Warts Around or Inside the Back Passage? (Anal Warts)

In my clinic, I also regularly see patients who have warts specifically around or inside the back passage. These are called anal warts or perianal warts. They are the same virus, the same type of wart — just in a different location. Many patients come to me thinking they only have genital warts, and on examination I find there are also warts around the back passage that they had not noticed or were too embarrassed to mention.

Anal warts are treated exactly the same way — laser or burning treatment, same local anesthesia, same day-care approach, same pricing. I treat both in the same session if a patient has warts in both areas.

I have written a separate detailed guide specifically for this: my detailed guide on anal warts treatment. If you think you have warts near the back passage — or if you are not sure — please read that article or WhatsApp me with a photo.

How Do People Get Genital Warts?

I get this question a lot. People want to understand how this happened to them. Let me be direct: the most common way to get genital warts is through unprotected sexual contact — vaginal, anal, or oral — with someone who has the virus. This is the honest answer, and I always say it clearly to my patients because I think being direct helps more than being vague.

I tell my patients: even using protection like condoms reduces the risk significantly but cannot completely prevent it, because the virus also lives on skin around the private area that condoms do not cover. So even with protection, there is some risk — though much lower than without.

In very rare cases, a mother can pass the virus to her baby during birth. And in some cases, the virus can spread from one part of a person’s own body to another.

What I strongly want to make clear — these warts do NOT spread through using someone else’s bathroom, sharing towels or soap, hugging, shaking hands, or sharing food and drinks. Many patients come to me worried that they passed it to family members through normal household contact. That does not happen.

Many patients feel very embarrassed when they walk into my clinic. I want you to know — getting this infection does not say anything bad about who you are as a person. It can happen to anyone who has had close physical contact. I see good, decent people with this problem every single week.

How Do I Check If It Is a Wart?

In my clinic, I can usually tell just by looking. Warts have a very typical appearance that I recognise immediately from years of experience — I do not need to cut the skin or take a sample in most cases. Just a careful examination is enough.

Sometimes I use a very simple test — I apply ordinary white vinegar to the area. It makes warts turn white, which helps me find flat or very small ones. Simple but very useful.

If there is concern about warts inside the back passage, I may use a small thin instrument to look inside — this is not painful.

In rare cases — if a growth looks unusual or very different from a normal wart — I might take a tiny sample to send to a lab. But honestly, I rarely need to do this.

I also always discuss an HIV test with my patients when they come for warts. I know that can sound alarming — please hear me out. This is simply a standard check that any good doctor should offer. It is not a judgment. It is just the responsible thing to do, the same way a doctor checks blood pressure when you have a headache.

If you are unsure whether what you have is a wart, feel free to send me a discreet photo on WhatsApp — 0333-2877351. I review these personally and will tell you honestly what I see.

How I Treat Genital Warts at My Clinic

I offer two treatments at my clinic. Both are done in a single sitting, with just a numbing injection. You do not need to be admitted to the hospital. You come in, we do the treatment, and you go home — most patients are back home within 1.5 hours of walking in.

Option 1 — Burning Treatment (Cauterization) — PKR 50,000

This is the older, well-proven method. I use a special instrument that carefully uses heat to remove the wart. I have been performing this treatment for many years and I can tell you — when done properly, it works very well.

It takes about 15 to 25 minutes. The area heals completely in about 10 to 14 days. For some patients, very mild marks on the skin can happen — though in my experience this is usually not very noticeable.

In my honest opinion — for small, simple warts, this option is just as good as the laser. And it costs less: PKR 50,000. I do not think every patient needs the more expensive option.

Option 2 — Laser Removal — PKR 80,000

This is the more modern option. I use a laser machine — a special beam of light that removes the wart very precisely, leaving the skin around it mostly untouched. The laser seals the tiny blood vessels as it works, so there is almost no bleeding.

I personally prefer to recommend this option when the warts are larger, when they are in a very sensitive spot, or when the patient wants the cleanest possible result with the least scarring.

It heals a little faster — usually 7 to 10 days. The cost is PKR 80,000, which is higher mainly because the laser machine and its parts are expensive.

My honest advice: if you have small, simple warts and money is a concern, the burning treatment works perfectly well. If the warts are bigger or in a sensitive area — I strongly recommend the laser.

Burning Treatment or Laser — Which One Is Right for You?

When patients ask me “Doctor, which one should I choose?” — I always say: come and see me first, let me look at your specific situation, and then I will give you my personal recommendation. There is no single right answer for everyone.

Other Creams and Treatments — My Honest Opinion

Patients often ask me about creams or other options they have read about online. Let me be honest about each one.

There is a cream called Aldara that some doctors prescribe. It works by making your own body fight the virus. The problem? It takes 2 to 4 months of applying cream every few days, and it does not always work. I personally do not like recommending this when I can fix the problem in one sitting at my clinic.

There are also some older creams (like Warticon) that I do not use — they can irritate the skin badly, especially in the sensitive private area.

Freezing treatment (where the doctor uses a very cold liquid to freeze the wart) does work in some cases — but it usually needs multiple visits, and in my experience it works better for warts on the hands and feet than for the private area.

Cutting the wart off with a small surgical knife is also possible — but it causes more bleeding and takes longer to heal. I only do this if a wart is very large or if I need to send a sample to a lab.

My recommendation for most patients: either the burning treatment or the laser. Simple, quick, and effective.

What Happens on the Day of Treatment?

Before We Start

When you come to my clinic for the first time, we sit together for about 30 to 45 minutes. I examine the warts in a completely private room — just you and me. Nothing embarrassing. I have seen many patients with this exact problem and I handle it with full professionalism.

We talk about which treatment I recommend for your case. You do not need to eat anything special before coming, and you do not need to stop any medicines (though please tell me if you take blood thinners). If you are feeling very nervous, I can prescribe a mild calming tablet to take before you arrive.

During the Treatment

You arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled time. You change into a private gown. I inject a small numbing medicine into the area — you feel a slight pinch for about 2 seconds, and then nothing. The treatment itself takes 15 to 30 minutes depending on how many warts there are. After the treatment, you sit and rest in the clinic for about 15 to 20 minutes, and then you go home. You can walk out on your own. You do not need a wheelchair or stretcher.

You do not need anyone else in the room with you during the procedure. A family member can wait in the waiting area if you prefer. No hospital admission. No overnight stay. No drip. No general anesthesia. Most patients are home within 1.5 hours of arriving at the clinic.

What Does the Treatment Cost?

I want to be upfront — there are no hidden charges from my side. After the treatment you will need to buy some medicines from any pharmacy — pain tablets and a simple ointment — which usually costs around PKR 800 to 1,500. In rare cases where I need to send a tiny sample to the lab, the lab charges PKR 4,000 to 6,000 separately. But I only do this when truly necessary, which is uncommon.

Getting Better — What to Expect After Treatment

I always tell my patients what to expect day by day, so there are no surprises and no unnecessary worry.

On the day of treatment: once the numbing wears off after a few hours, you may feel mild stinging or burning. Normal paracetamol handles this very well. Avoid tight underwear. You can have a warm sitz bath (sitting in warm water in a small basin for 10 to 15 minutes) the same evening — my patients find this helps a lot.

Days 1 to 3: mild soreness at the treated spot. The area may look a bit raw or have a small scab forming. A little blood or fluid is normal. Keep doing the warm sitz baths twice a day.

Days 4 to 7: the soreness slowly gets better. A dry scab forms. Keep the area clean and dry between sitz baths. Avoid swimming, heavy exercise, and physical relations during this time.

Days 7 to 14: most of my patients are back to normal daily activities by this point. The skin where the wart was may look slightly pinker — this is normal and fades over the next few weeks.

3 to 4 weeks later: I ask all my patients to come back for a check-up. We make sure everything healed well and I check if any new small warts are starting. Resuming physical relations: I strongly advise waiting until the area has fully healed — usually 3 to 4 weeks. Please use protection (condoms) for the first few months after treatment.

Will the Warts Come Back? The Honest Truth

This is the question I always make time to answer properly, because some doctors rush past it — and I don’t think that is fair to the patient.

Here is what I tell every single patient who sits in my clinic: the treatment removes the warts you can see. But the virus that caused them — HPV — can stay inside your body even after we remove the warts. It sits quietly in the skin cells nearby, sleeping.

This means that in about 2 to 3 patients out of every 10, new warts appear again within 3 to 6 months. This is not because the treatment failed. This is just how this particular virus works inside the human body.

I don’t like to see this happen to my patients. But it does happen sometimes, and I want you to be prepared rather than shocked.

The good news: these new warts are usually much smaller and easier to treat than the original ones. And over time — usually within 1 to 2 years — most people’s bodies learn to control this virus and the warts stop coming back entirely.

Here is what I do and what I advise every patient to reduce the chances of warts coming back:

After the procedure, I prescribe a short course of antiviral medication. This is something I routinely do for my patients. It helps keep the virus under control during the healing period when the body is most vulnerable. I will discuss the exact prescription with you at your consultation.

I also strongly encourage the HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9) if you have not had it yet. The vaccine cannot remove warts you already have — but it builds your immunity broadly and makes it much harder for the virus to keep creating new warts. In my opinion, vaccine plus antiviral medication together give you the best chance of keeping warts away after treatment.

Lifestyle tips I give all my patients:

• Get enough sleep — a tired body has a much weaker ability to fight viruses
• Eat well, especially fruits and vegetables that support immunity
• If you smoke — stopping smoking is one of the most important things you can do. Smoking strongly weakens the body’s ability to control this virus
• Control your diabetes if you have it — uncontrolled blood sugar weakens immunity significantly
• Reduce stress where possible — long-term stress also weakens the body’s defences
• Come back for your 3 to 4 week follow-up — if new warts are starting early I can treat them before they grow large

I want to be honest with you — some clinics promise a “permanent cure” for warts. I strongly disagree with that kind of promise. What I can honestly offer you is an effective treatment that removes your current warts, antiviral support during healing, and practical guidance to reduce recurrence. Your own body does the rest over time.

The HPV Vaccine — Should You Get It?

In my opinion — yes, I recommend it. Even if you already have warts.

The vaccine (Gardasil 9) protects you against other types of HPV that you may not have been exposed to yet — including the types that can cause cancer. Even though it cannot cure the warts you currently have, it protects against future HPV types and can reduce the chances of more warts.

The vaccine is given in 2 to 3 injections over 6 months. It works best when given before any exposure to HPV — ideally in the teenage years — but it is still useful up to the age of 45 for both men and women.

Where to get it in Karachi: Servaid, Fazal Din, or D.Watson pharmacy all carry Gardasil 9. Each injection costs approximately PKR 18,000 to 22,000. I can write you the prescription during your consultation.

Telling Your Partner — I Know This Is Hard

This is the part of my consultation that is always difficult. I see the worry and discomfort on my patients’ faces when I bring this up. But I have to be honest with you: your current partner — and recent partners — should ideally get checked.

I know this is a very personal and sensitive topic. How you handle the conversation is completely up to you. If it helps, I can write a proper medical letter that you can show your partner, explaining that you are under treatment. And if your partner wants to come and see me separately — I will treat that as a completely new, confidential visit. I will not mention that you came first unless you tell me to.

I strongly recommend not avoiding this conversation. It is important for both of you.

Your Privacy Is Safe With Me

In my clinic, I understand that this is a deeply private matter — especially in our Pakistani culture where there can be a lot of shame around these topics. I want you to feel completely safe when you walk through my door.

Here is what I do to protect you: your consultation is confidential. Nothing leaves my clinic without your permission. The receipt or any paperwork I give you says “anal/genital procedure” — not the specific word “warts” — to protect you. The clinic is inside Hill Park General Hospital — a large, busy hospital where nobody knows why any individual patient is there. My staff are trained to handle these consultations quietly and without judgment. I do not post patient photos online. I do not share your information with family members, employers, or insurance companies.

You are safe here. That is my promise.

Warning Signs — Please Do Not Wait If You See These

I always tell my patients: most warts are easy to treat and not dangerous. But please come to me quickly — do not wait — if any of the following happen:

• A wart grows very fast — doubles in size within a few weeks
• You notice bleeding from a wart that is more than just a little from wiping
• A wart starts to look different — like an open wound that does not heal
• Very bad pain from the area that seems too much for a simple wart
• A child has these bumps — this always needs urgent evaluation
• You are pregnant and notice these bumps — they can grow fast during pregnancy
• Warts keep coming back after 2 or 3 treatment sessions

If any of these describe your situation — please WhatsApp me at 0333-2877351. I will see you within a few days, not weeks.

Can This Happen During Pregnancy?

Yes — and I want pregnant patients to know this clearly because they often feel extra worried and do not know who to ask.

During pregnancy, your body goes through hormonal changes that can cause warts to grow faster than normal, or even appear for the first time. I see this occasionally in my clinic.

Here is what I tell my pregnant patients: we should treat the warts before delivery if we can. Most of the creams normally used for warts are NOT safe during pregnancy — this is very important to know if you are buying anything over the counter. The burning treatment and the laser, however, are generally safe during pregnancy and are the options I would use.

We usually plan treatment in the 4th to 6th month of pregnancy. I work together with your pregnancy doctor (obstetrician) so they know about the treatment and can plan the delivery appropriately. The chance of passing the virus to the baby during birth is very small but it does exist — your pregnancy doctor will handle this.

If you are pregnant and have any concern at all — please WhatsApp me early. Earlier is always better.

Why My Patients Choose to Come to Me

I will tell you honestly what I think makes my clinic different from others for this particular problem.

I offer both treatments — laser and burning — under one roof. This means I recommend what is best for your case, not just what equipment I happen to have. Many clinics only have one option and push everyone towards it.

No hospital admission, no drip, no general anesthesia, no overnight stay. You come in and you go home. In many cases I can do the treatment the same day as the first consultation — if the patient is comfortable and ready.

Everything is private. You will not be judged. I have seen many patients with this exact problem and I treat it the same way I treat any other medical condition — with respect and professionalism.

I personally check my WhatsApp — that number goes directly to me, not to an assistant or a call centre.

I am Pakistan’s first laser proctologist. I completed my MBBS in 2012, my surgery qualification (FCPS) in 2018, and my laser training in 2021. I have performed more than 5,000 laser procedures. PMDC Verified #63108-S.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Conditions I Treat at Karachi Piles Clinic

Many patients who come to me for genital warts also have — or are worried about — other conditions in the same area. I treat all of these at Karachi Piles Clinic, using the same laser-based, day-care approach:

• Anal Warts (Perianal Warts) — warts specifically around or inside the back passage. Very common alongside genital warts. Same treatment, same session if needed.
• Piles / Bawaseer — swollen veins around the back passage causing bleeding and discomfort. One of the most common conditions I treat.
• Anal Fissure — a small tear inside the back passage causing sharp pain during bowel movements.
• Anal Fistula (Bhagandar) — an abnormal tunnel near the back passage causing discharge, pain, and recurrent swelling.
• Pilonidal Sinus — an infected cyst near the tailbone, between the buttocks, that can be confused with perianal conditions.

If you have more than one of these — which is more common than patients realise — I can assess all of them in a single consultation and discuss the treatment plan together.

Trusted Medical References

For patients who want to read more from trusted international sources:

• CDC — Genital HPV Infection (factsheet)
• Mayo Clinic — HPV Infection
• NHS UK — Genital Warts
• NCBI StatPearls — Condyloma Acuminata (peer-reviewed)

Last Updated: 27 May 2026 · Reviewed by Dr. Abdullah Iqbal (MBBS, FCPS — PMDC Verified #63108-S)

Book Your Appointment — Talk to Me Directly

If you have noticed something and you are not sure what it is — just send me a message. I personally look at WhatsApp messages. You can send a discreet photo and I will give you my honest opinion. There is no judgment here. You came to the right place.

Karachi Piles Clinic, in Hill Park General Hospital
Shaheed-e-Millat Road, Karachi Memon Society, Karachi, Sindh 75350
Consultation days: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday | 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Consultation fee: PKR 2,000
WhatsApp: 0333-2877351 or 0321-2363611

Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult Dr. Abdullah Iqbal directly for diagnosis and treatment.