Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsQuit SmokingDecrease StressReview Your DietFind SupportProtect From Other STIsWork With ProviderWork With Your Healthcare ProviderNatural TreatmentsNext in HPV GuideWhat Is HPV?
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Quit Smoking
Decrease Stress
Review Your Diet
Find Support
Protect From Other STIs
Work With Provider
Work With Your Healthcare Provider
Natural Treatments
Next in HPV Guide
Maintaining astrong immune systemmay help to prevent disease.While research is ongoing, some studies have shown that people under 35, who generally have a stronger immune response, have better odds of clearing HPV than those older than 35.You can build immunity with positive lifestyle changes, including reducing stress, eating a healthy diet, and quitting smoking.
If you are a current cigarette smoker and you have HPV, you should do your best to quit smoking.
Smoking is thought to decrease your immunity, which impacts your body’s ability to fight off illnesses, including the HPV infection. Those who smoke are also at a higher risk for getting multiple HPV infections.
When your body’s stress hormone levels increase, your immune system doesn’t work as well as it should.This means you can’t fight off infections, like HPV, very effectively.
Making changes in your life to reduce yourstress levelis very important. Activities likeyoga, connecting with friends, andmeditationcan help decrease the effects of stress on your body.
There is some disagreement among experts on whether or not diet plays a role in helping your body get rid of HPV.
There is some thought that certain B-complex vitamins are effective in boosting your immune system. These include riboflavin (B2), thiamine (B1),vitamin B12, andfolate. Making sure your diet includes foods rich in these B vitamins is certainly not harmful, and there’s some evidence that folate (vitamin B9) may have anti-HPV properties.
Some good dietary sources of these vitamins include:
Being diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection can be very stressful, but you should not be embarrassed about having HPV. You might be surprised that once you open up to trusted family or friends about your diagnosis, you will find that many people have dealt with this infection.
Talk with your healthcare provider about local resources for individuals diagnosed with HPV. For online support groups, you can check out the American Sexual Health Association website.
Remember that HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection and you are not alone.
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Protect Against Other STIs
Being diagnosed with HPV is not a fatal blow to your sex life. You may just need to sit out a few weeks if you are being treated forgenital warts. If you are sexually active, though, understand that you could contract another type of STI, which could also weaken your immune system. Be aware of how to protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Having one sexual partner and using protection can help lower your risk of getting another sexually transmitted infection.
Because genital warts are so easily transmitted from skin-to-skin contact, your current sex partner may also want to get checked for them.
Other Lifestyle Changes
While self-care and immunity-building steps can help you fight HPV, it’s important to see your healthcare provider for specific medicaltreatmentsuch as topical creams that may be needed. You should also plan to see your provider regularly and get follow-up care based on your symptoms as needed.
Is HPV a Lifelong Infection?HPV is not typically a lifelong infection. HPV infections often go away without treatment within a few months, and most HPV cases go away without treatment within two years.However, some individuals may have long-term symptoms or develop cervical cancer.
Is HPV a Lifelong Infection?
HPV is not typically a lifelong infection. HPV infections often go away without treatment within a few months, and most HPV cases go away without treatment within two years.However, some individuals may have long-term symptoms or develop cervical cancer.
You may also want to speak with your doctor about getting theHPV vaccine. Even if you already have HPV, getting the vaccine can help prevent you from getting other types of it, including ones that can lead to cancer.
Is There a Natural Treatment for HPV?
Researchers are evaluating plant-based treatments for HPV and related cancers that can follow chronic HPV infection. For example, results from a small clinical trial of a medication derived from edible mushroom extract show promise in boosting the immune response to HPV.
There isn’t yet a natural treatment per se, but studies point to compounds likebasant(a blend that includes aloe vera gel andturmeric-based curcumin) that have shown anti-HPV properties.
Other possibilities in the fight against HPV are plant-based elements found to offer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other immune benefits to human health. They include:
Other studies focus on the anti-HPV activities ofBryophyllum pinnataextract (used in traditional medicine),Brucea javanicaoil, and others with the potential to fight HPV-related cancers.
Vitamin intake, including vitamins A, C, D, and E, also may be good for clearing HPV and offer benefits in fighting HPV infection.
Research studies on natural treatments for HPV and related cancers show promise, but more study is needed before nature-based remedies can be recommended.
Summary
Your doctor may also recommend treatment for your specific symptoms, as well as support resources. Keep in mind that HPV is very common and you are not alone.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital HPV infection.Bashaw AA, Leggatt GR, Chandra J, Tuong ZK, Frazer IH.Modulation of antigen presenting cell functions during chronic HPV infection.Papillomavirus Res. 2017;4:58-65. doi:10.1016/j.pvr.2017.08.002Feng T, Cheng B, Sun W, Yang Y.Outcome and associated factors of high-risk human papillomavirus infection without cervical lesions.BMC Womens Health. 2023;23(1):599. doi:10.1186/s12905-023-02764-8Eldridge RC, Pawlita M, Wilson L, et al.Smoking and subsequent human papillomavirus infection: a mediation analysis.Ann Epidemiol. 2017;27(11):724-730.e1 doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2017.10.004Lugović-Mihić L, Cvitanović H, Djaković I, Kuna M, Šešerko A.The influence of psychological stress on HPV infection manifestations and carcinogenesis.Cell Physiol Biochem. 2021;55(S2):71-88. doi:10.33594/000000395Ono A, Koshiyama M, Nakagawa M, et al.The preventive effect of dietary antioxidants on cervical cancer development.Medicina (Kaunas). 2020;56(11):604. doi:10.3390/medicina56110604Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021: anogenital warts.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits: enhancing immunity.World Health Organization.Cervical cancer.Smith JA, Gaikwad AA, Mathew L, et al.AHCC supplementation to support immune function to clear persistent human papillomavirus infections.Front Oncol. 2022;12:881902. doi:10.3389/fonc.2022.881902Massa S, Pagliarello R, Paolini F, Venuti A.Natural bioactives: back to the future in the fight against human papillomavirus? A narrative review.J Clin Med. 2022;11(5):1465. doi:10.3390/jcm11051465Franconi R, Massa S, Paolini F, Vici P, Venuti A.Plant-derived natural compounds in genetic vaccination and therapy for HPV-associated cancers.Cancers (Basel). 2020;12(11):3101. doi:10.3390/cancers12113101
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital HPV infection.Bashaw AA, Leggatt GR, Chandra J, Tuong ZK, Frazer IH.Modulation of antigen presenting cell functions during chronic HPV infection.Papillomavirus Res. 2017;4:58-65. doi:10.1016/j.pvr.2017.08.002Feng T, Cheng B, Sun W, Yang Y.Outcome and associated factors of high-risk human papillomavirus infection without cervical lesions.BMC Womens Health. 2023;23(1):599. doi:10.1186/s12905-023-02764-8Eldridge RC, Pawlita M, Wilson L, et al.Smoking and subsequent human papillomavirus infection: a mediation analysis.Ann Epidemiol. 2017;27(11):724-730.e1 doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2017.10.004Lugović-Mihić L, Cvitanović H, Djaković I, Kuna M, Šešerko A.The influence of psychological stress on HPV infection manifestations and carcinogenesis.Cell Physiol Biochem. 2021;55(S2):71-88. doi:10.33594/000000395Ono A, Koshiyama M, Nakagawa M, et al.The preventive effect of dietary antioxidants on cervical cancer development.Medicina (Kaunas). 2020;56(11):604. doi:10.3390/medicina56110604Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021: anogenital warts.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits: enhancing immunity.World Health Organization.Cervical cancer.Smith JA, Gaikwad AA, Mathew L, et al.AHCC supplementation to support immune function to clear persistent human papillomavirus infections.Front Oncol. 2022;12:881902. doi:10.3389/fonc.2022.881902Massa S, Pagliarello R, Paolini F, Venuti A.Natural bioactives: back to the future in the fight against human papillomavirus? A narrative review.J Clin Med. 2022;11(5):1465. doi:10.3390/jcm11051465Franconi R, Massa S, Paolini F, Vici P, Venuti A.Plant-derived natural compounds in genetic vaccination and therapy for HPV-associated cancers.Cancers (Basel). 2020;12(11):3101. doi:10.3390/cancers12113101
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital HPV infection.Bashaw AA, Leggatt GR, Chandra J, Tuong ZK, Frazer IH.Modulation of antigen presenting cell functions during chronic HPV infection.Papillomavirus Res. 2017;4:58-65. doi:10.1016/j.pvr.2017.08.002Feng T, Cheng B, Sun W, Yang Y.Outcome and associated factors of high-risk human papillomavirus infection without cervical lesions.BMC Womens Health. 2023;23(1):599. doi:10.1186/s12905-023-02764-8Eldridge RC, Pawlita M, Wilson L, et al.Smoking and subsequent human papillomavirus infection: a mediation analysis.Ann Epidemiol. 2017;27(11):724-730.e1 doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2017.10.004Lugović-Mihić L, Cvitanović H, Djaković I, Kuna M, Šešerko A.The influence of psychological stress on HPV infection manifestations and carcinogenesis.Cell Physiol Biochem. 2021;55(S2):71-88. doi:10.33594/000000395Ono A, Koshiyama M, Nakagawa M, et al.The preventive effect of dietary antioxidants on cervical cancer development.Medicina (Kaunas). 2020;56(11):604. doi:10.3390/medicina56110604Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021: anogenital warts.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits: enhancing immunity.World Health Organization.Cervical cancer.Smith JA, Gaikwad AA, Mathew L, et al.AHCC supplementation to support immune function to clear persistent human papillomavirus infections.Front Oncol. 2022;12:881902. doi:10.3389/fonc.2022.881902Massa S, Pagliarello R, Paolini F, Venuti A.Natural bioactives: back to the future in the fight against human papillomavirus? A narrative review.J Clin Med. 2022;11(5):1465. doi:10.3390/jcm11051465Franconi R, Massa S, Paolini F, Vici P, Venuti A.Plant-derived natural compounds in genetic vaccination and therapy for HPV-associated cancers.Cancers (Basel). 2020;12(11):3101. doi:10.3390/cancers12113101
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital HPV infection.
Bashaw AA, Leggatt GR, Chandra J, Tuong ZK, Frazer IH.Modulation of antigen presenting cell functions during chronic HPV infection.Papillomavirus Res. 2017;4:58-65. doi:10.1016/j.pvr.2017.08.002
Feng T, Cheng B, Sun W, Yang Y.Outcome and associated factors of high-risk human papillomavirus infection without cervical lesions.BMC Womens Health. 2023;23(1):599. doi:10.1186/s12905-023-02764-8
Eldridge RC, Pawlita M, Wilson L, et al.Smoking and subsequent human papillomavirus infection: a mediation analysis.Ann Epidemiol. 2017;27(11):724-730.e1 doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2017.10.004
Lugović-Mihić L, Cvitanović H, Djaković I, Kuna M, Šešerko A.The influence of psychological stress on HPV infection manifestations and carcinogenesis.Cell Physiol Biochem. 2021;55(S2):71-88. doi:10.33594/000000395
Ono A, Koshiyama M, Nakagawa M, et al.The preventive effect of dietary antioxidants on cervical cancer development.Medicina (Kaunas). 2020;56(11):604. doi:10.3390/medicina56110604
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, 2021: anogenital warts.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Healthy habits: enhancing immunity.
World Health Organization.Cervical cancer.
Smith JA, Gaikwad AA, Mathew L, et al.AHCC supplementation to support immune function to clear persistent human papillomavirus infections.Front Oncol. 2022;12:881902. doi:10.3389/fonc.2022.881902
Massa S, Pagliarello R, Paolini F, Venuti A.Natural bioactives: back to the future in the fight against human papillomavirus? A narrative review.J Clin Med. 2022;11(5):1465. doi:10.3390/jcm11051465
Franconi R, Massa S, Paolini F, Vici P, Venuti A.Plant-derived natural compounds in genetic vaccination and therapy for HPV-associated cancers.Cancers (Basel). 2020;12(11):3101. doi:10.3390/cancers12113101
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