Published:
December 17, 2021
Perhaps you found out you had the human papillomavirus (HPV) after precancerous cells were discovered through a routine Pap test that screens for cervical cancer. Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by HPV. Or maybe you discovered you had HPV after noticing genital warts—a small bump or group of bumps in your genital area.
It can be upsetting when you first learn you have HPV. Beyond the health questions and concerns, come an array of sometimes uncomfortable emotions.
Take a breath.
Know that having HPV is normal. You didn’t do anything wrong. Like most of the 14 million people (women and men) diagnosed with HPV in the U.S. each year, you were just exposed to a common infection. In fact, HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI).
What is HPV?
Understanding is the first step to feeling more comfortable with HPV. Most sexually active people have HPV at some point in their lives. Many never realize they had the virus and the body clears it naturally.
HPV is actually a group of more than 100 related viruses, some of which are spread through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Sexually transmitted HPV types fall into two groups:
- Low-risk HPVs: Most cause no disease; a few types can cause warts on or around the genitals, anus, mouth or throat.
- High-risk HPVs can cause several types of cancer, including cervical cancer.
HPVs linked to cervical cell changes can increase a woman’s risk for cervical cancer if not detected early. That’s why getting regular Pap tests is so important.
How Do You Get HPV?
HPV is most commonly transmitted through genital-to-genital and genital-to-anal contact. Although less common, HPV can also be passed by oral-to-genital contact.
How Long Does It Take for HPV to Develop?
It can take weeks, months or even years after you’ve been exposed to HPV for the virus to be detected. That’s why it’s usually impossible to know when you contracted HPV or from whom. A recent diagnosis doesn’t necessarily mean anyone has been unfaithful.
Can HPV Be Prevented?
The HPV vaccine can help prevent infection from both the high-risk and low-risk types of HPV. The CDC recommends that ideally, all boys and girls get vaccinated at age 11 or 12 to help ensure they are protected before being exposed to the virus. For best protection, it is important to receive the vaccine before sexual debut. Women and men can get the vaccine up to age 45.
Studies show that male condoms can help reduce HPV transmission to females, although condoms only protect the skin they cover.
HPV Testing and Treatment
Pap tests (or Pap smears) look for cancers and precancers in the cervix. Precancers are cell changes that can be caused by the human papillomavirus. If not treated, these abnormal cells could lead to cervical cancer.
An HPV test looks for HPV in cervical cells. Most women 21 to 65 years of age need to get Pap tests or a Pap test and HPV test together. Not all women need to be tested every year.
Your gynecologist or women’s health provider can discuss the screening schedule that’s right for you and answer any other questions you may have.
There is no treatment for the HPV virus itself and most often, it goes away on its own. If not, your provider can help you understand the available treatments for genital warts and cervical cell changes caused by HPV. Know that you are not alone in dealing with this very common virus.