What Is HPV?

HPV (human papillomavirus) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. It’s not just one virus — it’s a group of more than 100 related viruses, and it spreads easily through skin-to-skin contact during sex.

Most people who get HPV don’t have symptoms and never even know they had it. In many cases, the body clears it on its own. But some types of HPV can lead to visible symptoms like genital warts, while others can cause serious health issues, including cancer.

HPV is incredibly common — so common that nearly everyone who is sexually active will get it at some point, even if they’ve only had one partner. That’s why education, screening, and vaccination are so important.

Some types of HPV are called low-risk, because they don’t lead to cancer but can cause genital warts. Others are high-risk, meaning they can lead to cancer of the cervix, anus, throat, penis, or vulva over time if not caught and treated.

You can’t tell which type of HPV you have just by symptoms — or even by whether you have symptoms at all. A lab test or screening exam is the only way to know for sure.

The HPV vaccine

There’s a safe and highly effective vaccine that protects against the most dangerous types of HPV — including those that cause around 90% of cervical cancers and the majority of genital warts. It’s called the HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9 is the brand used in the U.S.).

The vaccine is recommended for all people of all genders starting at age 11 or 12, but it can be given as early as age 9. It’s most effective when given before any sexual activity begins, but it’s still beneficial up to age 26 — and in some cases, up to age 45.

The HPV vaccine is highly effective. It prevents infection with the most harmful high-risk HPV types and the low-risk types that cause warts. After completing the full vaccine series (usually two or three doses depending on age), protection is long-lasting.

Even if you’ve already had one type of HPV, the vaccine can protect you from the others. If widely used, the vaccine could eliminate most HPV-related cancers within a generation.

Talk to your healthcare provider about whether the HPV vaccine is right for you — or your child.

How common is HPV?

Very common. The CDC estimates there were around 43 million HPV infections in 2018 alone — with most new infections in people in their teens and early 20s. It’s part of why HPV is often called the “silent STI.”

What Are Symptoms of HPV?

Most people with HPV have no symptoms at all. That’s true for both low-risk and high-risk types. This makes HPV easy to pass unknowingly — and difficult to detect without screening.

In people with female reproductive anatomy:

• Most HPV infections have no symptoms
• High-risk HPV can lead to abnormal Pap tests or precancerous changes in cervical cells
• Some may develop genital warts: small, flesh-colored bumps or clusters around the vulva, vagina, anus, or cervix

In people with male reproductive anatomy:

• Often asymptomatic
• Genital warts may appear on the penis, scrotum, groin, or around the anus
• Throat HPV (from oral sex) usually has no symptoms but can be linked to oropharyngeal cancer

In anyone:

• Genital warts can be flat or raised, smooth or cauliflower-shaped
• Warts may be single or clustered
• Most high-risk HPV infections remain silent for years

How long can you have HPV without knowing?

HPV can stay in the body for months or years without symptoms. Many people clear it naturally within 1–2 years, but others never know they were infected.

How can I tell if I have HPV?

You can’t tell on your own. Only a Pap test, HPV test, or visual exam (for warts) can detect it. There’s no routine HPV test available for people with penises.

What Does HPV Look Like?

Most HPV infections don’t cause anything you can see. But low-risk HPV can cause genital warts, which may appear:

• As soft, flesh-toned bumps
• Flat, raised, smooth, or cauliflower-shaped
• Alone or in clusters
• On or around the vulva, penis, anus, or groin

Warts can show up weeks, months, or even years after infection — or never at all.

High-risk HPV types (linked to cancer) don’t cause visible symptoms, which is why routine screening is so important.

How Is HPV Transmitted?

HPV spreads through skin-to-skin contact — not just through fluids. You can get HPV from:

• Vaginal, anal, or oral sex
• Genital rubbing without penetration
• Sharing sex toys

HPV can be transmitted even when the person has no symptoms or visible warts. It’s highly contagious.

Can you get HPV without having sex?

Yes. Any genital contact — not just penetration — can spread HPV. Even people who have only had one sexual partner can get it.

Is HPV contagious?

Yes. HPV is one of the most easily transmitted STIs. Most people get it soon after becoming sexually active.

Can you get HPV from oral sex?

Yes. Oral sex can transmit HPV to the mouth or throat. Some throat cancers are caused by HPV.

Do condoms prevent HPV?

Condoms help reduce the risk of HPV transmission, but they don’t offer full protection. That’s because HPV spreads through skin-to-skin contact — including areas not covered by condoms, like the base of the penis, scrotum, or vulva.

Using condoms consistently can lower your risk, especially for high-risk types. But the most effective protection is the HPV vaccine, which prevents infection from the types most likely to cause cancer or genital warts. Getting vaccinated, even if you’re already sexually active, adds a critical layer of protection.

How Do You Test for HPV?

Testing for HPV is different depending on your biology. For people with a cervix, there are established screening tools. For people with penises, there is currently no routine HPV test.

How is HPV diagnosed?

For people with female biology:

• Pap test: checks cervical cells for abnormal changes that may indicate HPV infection
• HPV test: detects the presence of high-risk HPV types in cervical cells (often done alongside a Pap)

For people with male biology:

• There is no routine HPV test. Most diagnoses are made visually if genital warts appear.
• In rare cases, HPV-related cancers may be discovered through biopsy or during evaluation of symptoms (like a persistent sore throat or anal discomfort)

For anyone:

• Visual exam: A healthcare provider may identify genital warts by appearance**: for identifying genital warts

Who should get tested?

• People with a cervix should begin Pap testing at age 21
• HPV co-testing may start at age 30
• More frequent testing may be needed after abnormal results

Do I need to get tested even if I feel fine?

Yes. HPV often has no symptoms at all, especially the high-risk types that lead to cancer. Regular screening can detect early changes before they become serious.

Are there home tests for HPV?

Some at-home kits are available for cervical HPV screening — usually involving a self-collected vaginal swab mailed to a lab. These tests are not yet as common or widely available as in-clinic tests.

How Is HPV Treated?

There’s no cure for the virus itself, but the effects of HPV can be treated:

• Genital warts can be removed with topical treatments, cryotherapy (freezing), or minor procedures
• Abnormal cervical cells may be treated with procedures like LEEP or cryotherapy
• Cancers caused by HPV are treated based on their type and stage

In most cases, the immune system clears HPV naturally over time. No medication is needed unless symptoms appear.

Complications of HPV

Can HPV cause cancer?

Yes. High-risk HPV types can cause:

• Cervical cancer
• Anal cancer
• Throat (oropharyngeal) cancer
• Penile, vulvar, and vaginal cancer

Not everyone with HPV develops cancer — but persistent infection with high-risk types increases the risk.

Do genital warts turn into cancer?

No. Genital warts are caused by low-risk HPV types, which are not linked to cancer.

How does HPV affect pregnancy?

HPV doesn’t usually affect pregnancy or the baby. In rare cases, warts may grow more during pregnancy or cause delivery complications if large.

Outlook & Prognosis

Does HPV go away?

Often, yes. Most HPV infections are cleared by the immune system within 1–2 years. But some high-risk types can persist silently.

Can I get HPV again?

Yes. There are many types of HPV, and clearing one doesn’t mean you’re protected from others. Reinfection is possible.

Is HPV dangerous?

It can be. While most infections resolve on their own, persistent high-risk HPV can lead to cancer if not monitored or treated early.

Living With HPV

Being told you have HPV can feel overwhelming — especially with all the stigma and misinformation out there. But the truth is, HPV is incredibly common. It doesn’t mean someone has done anything wrong.

Most people clear the virus naturally, and even if treatment is needed, it’s manageable. Genital warts can be treated. Cervical cell changes can be monitored or removed before they cause problems.

If you’re living with HPV:

• Make sure to keep up with screenings
• Let partners know, especially if you have visible warts or abnormal test results
• Know that you’re not alone — and you’re not unlovable

How to Tell Your Partner(s) You Have HPV

Telling someone you have HPV might feel scary, but it’s actually one of the most common conversations in modern dating. It’s more about respect and trust than shame or blame.

Try something like:

“I recently found out I have HPV. It’s super common and usually goes away on its own, but I wanted to be upfront because I care about being honest.”

Key points to emphasize:

• HPV is very common — most people get it at some point
• It’s not a sign of cheating or being irresponsible
• Vaccines and screening reduce risk
• Warts can be treated, and most types go away naturally

Being honest doesn’t make you a burden — it makes you trustworthy.

Last reviewed: May 2025
This content is regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the latest medical guidelines.

 qf_causedby: Virus (Human papillomavirus – over 100 types)

 qf_transmission: Skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex; genital rubbing; shared sex toys

 qf_symptoms: Often none; may cause genital warts or abnormal cervical cells

 qf_testmethod: Pap test, HPV test (cervix only), visual exam for warts

 qf_treatable_curable: No cure for the virus; effects like warts or abnormal cells are treatable

 qf_risk_untreated: Cancer (cervix, anus, throat), persistent warts, reproductive complications

 qf_usa_burden: Estimated 43 million infections in 2018 (CDC)