Mr. Onur Gilleard
Qualifications & Experience
Mr Onur Gilleard is a distinguished consultant plastic surgeon on the GMC specialist register. He previously held an NHS consultant post at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, specialising in skin cancer and microsurgical reconstruction. In 2021, Mr Gilleard transitioned from the NHS to dedicate himself fully to private practice, allowing him to focus exclusively on providing personalised, high-quality care to his patients. He is recognised as an expert in laser treatments, having conducted research and developed advanced treatment protocols using cutting-edge laser technology to optimise both clinical outcomes and cosmetic results.
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Leaving genital warts untreated is a valid choice — they’re not dangerous, and the immune system clears the virus in
many people over time, so some warts resolve on their own. But there are trade-offs: untreated warts can
grow, multiply, itch or bleed, and can still be passed to partners. So the decision is really about
comfort, appearance, transmission and peace of mind rather than danger. This guide lays out what to expect either way.
If You Leave Them Alone
Genital warts are caused by low-risk HPV and don’t turn into cancer, so leaving them is not dangerous. In some people
the immune system clears the virus and the warts disappear without treatment, often within months to a couple of
years. Watchful waiting can be a reasonable option, particularly for small, symptom-free warts.
The Downsides of Waiting
- They can grow or multiply, becoming harder to treat later.
- Symptoms — itching, irritation, occasional bleeding or catching on clothing.
- Transmission — visible warts can still pass HPV to partners.
- Worry — many people simply prefer them gone for reassurance.
If you’re unsure what the growths are, that’s a separate reason to get checked — see understanding genital warts.
Making the Choice
There’s no medical urgency, so it comes down to your comfort, appearance and partner considerations. If you’d like
them dealt with, removal is quick and effective — see the complete removal guide.
Either way, having the diagnosis confirmed is worthwhile.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it dangerous to leave genital warts untreated?
- No. They’re caused by low-risk HPV and don’t become cancer, so leaving them isn’t dangerous. The trade-offs are that they can grow, multiply, cause symptoms, or be passed to partners — so treatment is about comfort and transmission rather than danger.
- Will genital warts go away on their own?
- Sometimes — in many people the immune system clears the virus over months to a couple of years and the warts disappear. There’s no guarantee or set timeframe, and in the meantime they can grow or spread, which is why many people choose treatment.
- Can I still pass them on if I don’t treat them?
- Yes. Visible warts can pass HPV to partners through skin-to-skin contact. Treating warts and discussing prevention (condoms reduce but don’t eliminate risk; the HPV vaccine helps) lowers the chance of transmission.
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