genital HPV

THE FACTS

•Genital human papillomavirus 

(/pap pil LO ma VY rus/) (HPV) is the 

most common sexually transmitted virus 

in the United States. Most sexually active 

people will have genital HPV at some 

time in their lives.

•Most people who have genital HPV 

don’t know they have it. There are often 

no symptoms, and it goes away on its 

own—without causing any serious 

health problems.

•HPV is passed on through genital contact 

(such as vaginal and anal sex). You can 

pass HPV to others without knowing it.

•There is no cure for HPV, but there are 

treatments for the health problems that 

some types of HPV can cause, like 

genital warts and cervical cancer.
HOW CAN I LOWER MY RISK FOR HPV? 

• The surest way to prevent HPV is not to have sex.

• If you decide to be sexually active, limit the number 

of partners you have. The fewer sex partners you have, 

the less likely you will be to get HPV.

• Condoms may lower chances of getting HPV, genital 

warts, or cervical cancer if used the right way every 

time you have sex. However, HPV can infect areas that 

are not covered by a condom— so you should not 

expect condoms to fully protect against HPV. 

Washing the genitals, urinating, or douching after sex 

will not prevent any STD.

• Washing the genitals, urinating, or douching after sex will 

not prevent any sexually transmitted disease.

• Females and males can get vaccinated to protect against the types of HPV that most commonly 

cause health problems. The vaccine is most effective when all doses are received before a person 

has sexual contact with his or her first partner.

HOW DOES SOMEONE GET HPV? 

Anyone who has ever had genital contact with another person can have genital HPV. Both men and 

women can get it—and pass it on—without even realizing it.

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF HPV?

Genital HPV does not cause health problems for most people.

There are many types of HPV. All HPV infections are either low-risk 

or high-risk. Low-risk HPV infections can cause genital warts. 

The warts are usually painless and not a serious problem. They can 

be flat or raised, single or in groups, and small or large. Without 

treatment, genital warts may go away, stay the same, or grow in 

size or number.

Women with HPV might have warts on the vagina, vulva, or cervix. 

Men with HPV might have warts on the penis, scrotum, or groin. 

Both men and women can have genital warts on the anus or thigh.

High-risk HPV infections can sometimes develop into cancer of the 

cervix (the opening of the womb). These infections may also lead to 

other cancers, such as anal cancer. In some people, high-risk HPV 

infections can persist and cause cell changes. If these cell changes 

are not treated, they may lead to cancer over time.
MORE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT HPV 

IF YOU ARE A WOMAN

It’s important to know about the link 

between HPV and cervical cancer 

and about the steps you can take to 

prevent this disease. Getting all doses 

of the HPV vaccine and getting regular 

screening can prevent cervical cancer. 

The HPV vaccine can also prevent 

most genital warts.

IF YOU ARE A MAN

It’s important to know that you can 

have genital HPV—and pass it to your 

partner—even if you have no symptoms. 

Some types of HPV can lead to cancer 

of the anus and penis, but these cancers 

are rare in men with healthy immune 

systems. The HPV vaccine prevents the 

most common problem caused by HPV 

in men, genital warts

DOES HAVING HPV MEAN I’LL GET CANCER?

No. Most types of HPV infection don’t lead to cancer. Women can protect themselves from cervical cancer 

by getting regular Pap tests and by getting treated early for any problems that could turn into cancer.

DO I NEED TO KNOW IF I HAVE HPV?

There is no reason to be tested just to find out if you have genital HPV. Most people will have genital HPV at 

some time in their lives. Usually the infection goes away on its own. However, it is very important for women 

to get screened for cervical cancer that is caused by genital HPV.

IF YOU ARE A WOMAN

You should get regular Pap tests to check for changes in your cervix. The Pap test is the best way to screen 

for cervical cancer. Changes that are caught early can be treated before they lead to cancer.

If you are 30 or over, a doctor may also give you an HPV test. This test can help the doctor decide what other 

tests or treatment you should have.

IF YOU ARE A MAN

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved a test for HPV in men. See your doctor if you 

have genital warts.

CAN HPV BE TREATED?

• There is no treatment for genital HPV itself. Most of the time, though, your body fights off the virus 

on its own.

• There are treatments for the health problems that genital HPV can cause, like genital warts, cervical 

changes, and cervical cancer.

• Even after genital warts are treated, the virus may remain in the body. This means that you may still 

pass HPV to your sex partners.
WHAT ABOUT A VACCINE?

Females and males can get vaccinated to protect against the types 

of HPV that most commonly cause health problems. 

The vaccine is most effective when all doses are received before a 

person has sexual contact with his or her first partner. 

• The HPV vaccine protects females against the types of HPV that 

cause most cervical cancers, and also protects against most 

genital warts. 

• Doctors recommend that all 11- and 12-year-old girls get 

vaccinated against HPV. HPV vaccination is also recommended 

for women up to age 26 if they did not get all vaccine doses when 

they were younger. 

• Even after receiving all vaccine doses, it is important for women to 

get Pap tests as recommended. 

• The HPV vaccine protects males against most genital warts. This 

vaccine is available for boys and men, 11 through 21 years of age. 

The vaccine is also recommended for any man who has sex with 

men through age 26, and for men with compromised immune 

systems (including HIV) through age 26, if they did not get HPV 

vaccine when they were younger. 

A MESSAGE FOR EVERYONE

PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR PARTNER.

Most people who have sex will have HPV at some time in their 

lives. HPV usually goes away on its own without causing any 

health problems.

If you’re a woman, it’s very important to have regular Pap tests to 

check for problems that could develop into cervical cancer. Most 

women who get cervical cancer have not had regular Pap tests. 

There is no blame, no shame about having genital HPV. The virus is 

very common.

If you have HPV, don’t blame your current partner or assume 

your partner is cheating. People can have genital HPV for a very 

long time before it is detected. Talk openly and honestly with your 

partner about HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

FOR MORE INFORMATION

• Talk to your doctor.

• Call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

• Visit www.cdc.gov/std/hpv.