Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHPV in WomenDiagnosisTransmissionEffect on RelationshipsTreatmentWhen Does HPV Go Away?HPV Vaccination
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
HPV in Women
Diagnosis
Transmission
Effect on Relationships
Treatment
When Does HPV Go Away?
HPV Vaccination
Human papillomavirus (HPV)is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) worldwide.HPV impacts people of all sexes. Nearly 80% of women will contract at least one type in their lifetime.There are over 100 types of HPV.
Genital warts are asign of HPV, but only a few types of HPV cause warts. Many types of HPV are largely asymptomatic, including those that lead to cancer, making regular screening essential for early detection.
While it may be uncomfortable, it’s important to discuss positive HPV tests with sexual partners to keep you both safe. Keep in mind that although there is a stigma around females with HPV (and STIs in general), there is nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about.Speaking up about symptoms or diagnoses can help keep you and your sexual partners safe.
This article will provide information about HPV in females, including symptoms, screening, treatments, prevention via vaccination, and more.
Catherine McQueen / Getty Images
A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To accurately reflect our sources, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To accurately reflect our sources, this article uses terms like “female,” “male,” “woman,” and “man” as the sources use them.
HPV in Women Quick Facts
Here’s a quick rundown of important HPV details for females, including signs to look for, cancer risk, and prevention methods.
Symptoms May Include Genital Warts
Some types of HPV cause warts. These types are not cancerous. See a healthcare provider if you notice lumps, sores, or unusual growths in the genital area, throat, or mouth.Genital wartsfrom HPV may appear as small bumps or groups of bumps.
Abnormal vaginal bleedingand irregular cells on the cervix (the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina), detected via aPap smear, may indicate precancerous and cancerous changes due to HPV.
Screening Helps Determine Risk
One of the only ways todetermine your HPV statusis to keep up with routine gynecological exams. Pap smears, which test for abnormal cells on thecervix, can point to an HPV infection. Testing for HPV itself may also be done on the cervical swab sample.
If found early, treatment for cervical cancer is available.Screening guidelines recommend starting Pap tests around age 21.Those 25 to 65 may have their cervical sample screened for HPV. This test may be done in addition to a Pap or, depending on age, instead of a Pap.
HPV Takes Years to Become Cancerous
HPV can cause cancer of thevulva(external genitalia),vagina, cervix, throat, or anus, though HPV-related cancer often takes years or decades to develop.In addition to the HPV vaccine, regular Pap smears and early detection are key to preventing cancer.
As a Woman, How Do I Know If I Have HPV?
Because many types of HPV infection are asymptomatic, most people don’t know they have it. They may never develop health problems from it.However, some types of HPV can produce cancer, and other types can produce genital warts.
Genital warts are one of the only signs of some strains of HPV. Thesecan appear in groups and resemble cauliflower.
Screening tests look for health problems in people who do not have symptoms. Regular screening via Pap smear or a cervical HPV test is essential to detect cervical cancer and treat it early.
How Women Get HPV
HPV and Effect on Intimate Relationships
HPV can be hard on intimate relationships. Because HPV is mainly transmitted through sexual contact, it’s become highly stigmatized, especially for females. Stigma stems from the notion that only females who are promiscuous get HPV. Other false assumptions include infidelity.
Because there are no HPV screenings for males, and screening for females is around every three to five years, there can be undiagnosed HPV in monogamous male-female couples. It’s almost impossible to determine which partner it originated from.
As uncomfortable as it may be, you must also disclose positive STI tests with your sexual partners so they can get proper testing and treatment, if necessary.
HPV Treatment: Watchful Waiting vs. Interventions
If HPV is detected, your provider will tell you if it’s a high- or low-risk type. Low-risk HPV may be monitored over time to see if the cells go back to normal or the virus is cleared (is no longer detected).
The majority of HPV infections clear within 24 months of exposure. Most people’s immune systems fight off low-grade HPV infections. Unfortunately, 10% to 20% of high-risk HPV infections don’t clear up on their own and can produce cancer in three to seven years.
HPV Vaccination: Is There an Age Limit?
Because the vaccination is preventive and not a cure, health experts recommend vaccinating children of all sexes around the age of 11 before the risk of HPV exposure increases through sexual activity.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved theHPV vaccine up to the age of 45. Most sexually active females between 27 and 45 have been exposed to HPV already, so they are unlikely to benefit from the vaccine. But if you think you are at risk of newly acquiring an HPV infection, talk to a healthcare provider to see if the vaccine is right for you.
Summary
HPV is a common, usually asymptomatic, STI that affects people of all sexes. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, around 80% of people will have HPV in their lifetime and show zero signs or health effects.That’s because a healthy immune system usually clears low-grade HPV on its own within two years of exposure.
HPV is not cancer, though some high-risk types of HPV can produce cancer in both people of all sexes. Routine screenings via Pap smear and/or cervical HPV tests can detect high-risk HPV early and determine treatment. The HPV vaccine can prevent 90% of cancers.
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.
Office On Women’s Health.Human papillomavirus.
Myers ER, McCrory DC, Nanda K, Bastian L, Matchar DB.Mathematical model for the natural history of human papillomavirus infection and cervical carcinogenesis.American Journal of Epidemiology. 2000;151(12):1158-1171. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a010166
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About genital HPV infection.
Morse RM, Brown J, Gage JC, et al.“Easy women get it”: pre-existing stigma associated with HPV and cervical cancer in a low-resource setting prior to implementation of an HPV screen-and-treat program.BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):2396. doi:10.1186/s12889-023-17324-w
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Cervical cancer screening.
American Cancer Society.HPV testing.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Does HPV go away?
National Cancer Institute.HPV and cancer.
American Cancer Society.Cancer facts for women.
Shanmugasundaram S, You J.Targeting persistent human papillomavirus infection.Viruses. 2017;9(8):229. doi:10.3390/v9080229
Huber J, Mueller A, Sailer M, Regidor PA.Human papillomavirus persistence or clearance after infection in reproductive age. What is the status? Review of the literature and new data of a vaginal gel containing silicate dioxide, citric acid, and selenite.Womens Health (Lond Engl). 2021. doi:10.1177/17455065211020702
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