What is HPV?
HPV stands for human papillomavirus. It is a very common virus that infects skin and mucous membranes. There are over 100 different types of HPV. Around 40 types of HPV can infect the genital areas. Genital HPV is spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact and sex.
HPV is extremely common. Most sexually active adults will get it at some point. An estimated 79 million Americans currently have HPV, and about 14 million more get it every year.
Many types of HPV cause no symptoms at all and go away on their own. But some types can lead to cancer or genital warts. The types that cause warts on the genitals are different from the ones that cause cancer.
What are genital warts?
Genital warts are soft growths that appear on the genitals. They are a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by certain strains of HPV.
Genital warts affect both men and women. They can grow on the:
– Vulva and vagina of women
– Penis and scrotum of men
– Thighs and anus of both genders
Genital warts range in size, shape and number. They may be flat or cauliflower-shaped. They are usually painless but can sometimes itch or burn.
The types of HPV that cause genital warts do not lead to cancer. But having genital warts may mean you also have a high-risk cancer-causing type of HPV.
Signs and symptoms of genital warts
The signs and symptoms of genital warts include:
| Signs in women | Signs in men |
|---|---|
|
|
But keep in mind:
– Genital warts often have no symptoms at all
– You can have HPV for years before warts appear
– Warts can develop months or years after exposure to HPV
– Even if you’ve had genital warts before, new warts can still form
So you could have HPV without knowing it. Getting tested is important.
When to see a doctor
You should see a doctor if you notice any unusual bumps, growths or changes on your genitals. Some other reasons to make an appointment include:
– Your partner has genital warts
– You have had unprotected sex
– You have multiple sex partners
– You are pregnant
Your doctor can examine any growths and determine if they are genital warts caused by HPV. If needed, they can test the warts to check for the virus.
How to test for HPV
There are two main ways to check for HPV:
1. Physical exam
A doctor or nurse can often identify genital warts by sight during an exam of your vulva, vagina, penis, scrotum and anus.
They may apply a dilute vinegar solution to highlight flat warts. This is called an acetic acid test.
2. HPV test
An HPV test can detect the virus in cells from the cervix or anus. The cells are collected by:
- Pap smear – Samples are taken from the cervix.
- Anal Pap smear – Samples are taken from the anus.
The sample is sent to a lab to look for HPV. A positive test means you have been infected with a high-risk type of HPV at some point.
HPV tests are not routinely done to look for genital warts. But they may be used for diagnosis if the warts cannot be clearly identified by sight.
Where can I get tested for HPV?
You can get tested and treated for genital warts at:
- Your primary care doctor or gynecologist
- STI clinics
- Some family planning centers
- Dermatology clinics
Be sure to get follow-up care to monitor the warts and check for any changes. This is important because genital warts can come back after treatment.
Can HPV and genital warts be cured?
There is no cure for HPV itself. But there are treatments for the health problems HPV can cause:
Genital warts:
Warts can be removed by:
- Freezing with liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy)
- Prescription creams
- Surgery
- Laser
These treatments remove the visible warts. They do not get rid of the HPV infection. Warts often return after treatment because the virus remains in your system.
Cervical cell changes:
If HPV causes abnormal cells on your cervix, these can be removed so they do not become cancer. Your doctor can:
- Freeze, burn, or remove the tissue (cryotherapy, LEEP, conization)
- Give medicine to help your body clear the infection
Genital cancers:
If HPV leads to cancer in the genitals or throat, treatments include:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation
So while HPV has no cure, the problems it causes can be treated. Preventing HPV in the first place with vaccination is ideal.
Can HPV and genital warts be prevented?
The best way to avoid HPV and genital warts is to get vaccinated. The HPV vaccine protects against the virus types most likely to cause warts or cancer.
The vaccine works best when given at age 11-12 before exposure to the virus. But it helps protect people through age 45.
Using condoms during sex offers some protection against getting and spreading HPV. But condoms do not cover all infected areas, so they are not fully protective.
Other tips to lower your chances of getting HPV include:
- Get tested to know your status
- Get treated to prevent spreading HPV
- Limit sexual partners
How common are HPV and genital warts?
HPV is extremely widespread. But only some people with HPV develop symptoms like genital warts.
HPV statistics
- About 79 million Americans have some type of HPV
- Each year, 14 million more people get infected
- About 1 in 4 people in the U.S. currently has a genital HPV infection
Genital warts statistics
- Around 1% of U.S. adults have visible genital warts at any point in time
- An estimated 500,000 to 1 million new cases happen each year
So while genital warts affect a small minority of people, HPV itself is extremely common. Getting vaccinated, screened and treated are critical for prevention.
Takeaways
- HPV is a virus that infects skin and mucous membranes. Some types cause genital warts or cancer.
- Genital warts can appear on the genitals and anus of men and women.
- See a doctor if you notice any bumps or growths in your genital region.
- HPV testing and a physical exam are used to diagnose genital warts.
- While there is no cure for HPV, visible warts and cell changes can be removed.
- The HPV vaccine helps prevent infection with the major cancer and wart-causing types.
Conclusion
HPV is extremely common, but only some people develop genital warts. Getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent HPV infection and its complications. If you notice any unusual bumps or growths on your genitals, see your doctor. They can examine you, test for HPV if needed, and provide treatment options. Catching HPV early allows for better management and follow-up care.