Fortunately, the majority of HPV infections are cleared by your body within a year or two. This is especially true for younger sexually active women and for sexually active men. However, persistent infection with high-risk HPV can lead to serious and—if undetected and untreated—deadly diseases.
Precancerous Conditions of the Genital Tract. Certain types of HPV can cause changes in your body that can lead to conditions that, if left untreated, could ultimately lead to cancer. Early detection of high-risk HPV and treating the cellular changes it causes in your body are essential in preventing gynecologic cancers.
Seeing your gynecologist regularly and keeping up with your cervical cancer screening and getting treatment when appropriate is essential for prevention. HPV-Related Cancer. HPV causes changes in the cells it infects. Over time, this can lead to events that transform normal cells into cancerous cells. Your sex practices determine what parts of your body may be exposed to HPV infection. HPV can be transmitted by vaginal, anal, and oral sex.
This is why early detection and treatment is essential in preventing these potentially deadly complications:. At the current time, we only have approved and reliable screening testing for the detection of genital tract HPV in women. This underscores the importance of regular physical exams. Women should take advantage of the screening test, and both men and women should discuss their sexual practices and be examined appropriately.
You should see your healthcare provider whenever you notice any changes in the appearance of your genitals or if you develop any unpleasant symptoms. However, seeing your healthcare provider regularly for wellness checks and getting the recommended screening tests is very important for your sexual and overall health. Get our printable guide for your next doctor's appointment to help you ask the right questions.
For women, this is especially important when it comes to preventing the most common HPV-related cancer: cervical cancer. Remember that HPV infection and especially infection with high-risk HPV rarely if ever cause any symptoms until it has developed into an advanced gynecologic cancer, which is why appropriate check-ups and follow-ups are important.
However, when signs and symptoms of HPV-related oral cancer do appear, they can include a consistent sore throat, trouble swallowing, jaw pain, and white or red patches on the tonsils. There is no treatment for the virus specifically but there are treatments for the related issues that it causes, including genital warts, cervical precancer, and HPV-related cancers. Genital warts can be treated with prescription medication. In women who get Pap smears, cervical precancer can be removed, and HPV-related cancers can usually be treated with chemotherapy or radiation.
HPV is so common that almost every sexually active person will eventually get it if not vaccinated. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Manual for the Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. Chapter 5: Human Papillomavirus. Rev Obstet Gynecol. A doctor can treat the resulting genital warts with prescription medication or surgically remove them. The surgical removal of warts involves freezing or burning them off, depending on their size, location, and shape.
This method is known as cryotherapy. Getting rid of warts might not prevent the transmission of the virus to a sexual partner, however. If a person does not receive treatment for genital warts, they are unlikely to turn into cancer. More likely, they will go away, grow, multiply, or stay the same. If HPV develops into one of its common forms of cancer, a doctor or cancer specialist will treat the individual with a combination of surgery, chemotherapy , and radiation therapy. Receiving vaccines and using condoms correctly during sex can lower the risk of contracting HPV.
However, condoms cannot provide full protection against HPV because it may be present in areas that a condom does not cover. Though no treatment is available, three effective vaccines can help prevent HPV.
All three vaccines prevent infection by HPV types 16 and These two have the strongest connection to cancer. One of the vaccines also keeps types 6 and 11 at bay, which are the ones most often linked to genital warts.
A doctor may give three doses in the following situations :. In , Gardasil 9 only received approval as safe up to 26 years of age. The FDA have now updated this to include adults up to 45 years old if they did not receive a vaccine when younger. Since HPV vaccination began in the U. Plantar warts Plantar warts are caused by the same type of virus that causes warts on your hands and fingers.
Flat warts Open pop-up dialog box Close. Flat warts Flat warts are smaller and smoother than other warts. Female genital warts Open pop-up dialog box Close. Female genital warts Genital warts are a common sexually transmitted infection. Male genital warts Open pop-up dialog box Close. Male genital warts Genital warts are a common sexually transmitted infection.
Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. More Information HPV vaccine. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Jameson JL, et al. Human papillomavirus infections. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. New York, N. Accessed Feb. Bennett JE, et al. Philadelphia, Pa.
American Academy of Dermatology. Human papillomavirus HPV vaccination. Rochester, Minn. HPV vaccine. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed Oct. Anogenital warts. Human papillomavirus HPV and cervical cancer. World Health Organization. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press.
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This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Request Appointment. HPV infection: A cause of cancer in men? Products and services. I've heard that sexually transmitted human papillomavirus HPV is linked to cervical cancer in women. Can HPV infection increase cancer risk in men, too? Answer From Pritish K.
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