HPV: What It Is, Symptoms In Men Vs. Women & Treatment
Women's Health Men's Health Cancer
September 02, 2026
If you've been told you have HPV, you're not alone. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is extremely common, and many people never know they have it. While most HPV infections clear on their own, some can lead to genital warts or certain cancers.
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States, so it’s important to know the facts about HPV symptoms, prevention and treatment.
Key Takeaways: HPV
- HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States.
- Most HPV infections cause no symptoms and go away on their own.
- Certain types of HPV can increase the risk of cervical and other cancers.
- The HPV vaccine can prevent most HPV-related cancers.
- Regular screenings help detect changes before cancer develops.
What Is HPV?
Human papillomavirus is not just one virus but a group of more than 200 related viruses. About 40 of the most common HPV viruses are easily spread through sexual conduct.
HPV infections can lead to genital warts, which are small bumps that are often brown or pink in color, as well as seven different types of cancer in both men and women.
How Common Is HPV?
The CDC reports there were 42 million HPV infections in the United States, with about 13 million new infections each year.
"HPV is so prevalent in this country that nearly all Americans will have it at some point in their lifetimes," said Abhigyan Banka, MD, with Franciscan Physician Network Beech Grove Family Medicine.
Does HPV Cause Cancer?
HPV causes about 36,000 cases of cancer in both men and women in the U.S., the CDC reports. The viruses cause normal cells to transition into pre-cancer and ultimately into cancer.
Cancers HPV causes
While many people think of HPV causing cervical cancer, the virus also causes cancers in the:
- Vagina
- Anus
- Vulva
- Penis
- Head
- Neck
- Oropharynx (back of throat)
“HPV is not just associated with GYN cancer, cervical cancer, vulvar cancer or anal cancer,” said Meghana Raghavendra, MD, a medical oncologist and hematologist with Franciscan Physician Network in Indianapolis. “It also is associated with increased risk of head and neck cancers: tonsillar cancers, tongue base or even throat cancer. Getting the vaccination decreases the risk of all those cancers developing that tends to be HPV associated.”
How HPV causes cancer
The U.S. National Cancer Institute explains HPV and cancer this way: There are more than 200 viruses related to HPV. Sexually transmitted HPV is separated into low-risk HPV and high-risk HPV. High-risk HPV, specifically HPV-16 and HPV-18, is responsible for a majority of HPV-related cancers.
The National Cancer Institute says long-term, high-risk HPV can infect and modify cells, causing cancer of the cervix or other organs. It recommends regular cervical cancer screenings for early detection. Men also have a cancer risk from high-risk HPV.
How Is HPV Spread?
HPV spreads through close, intimate contact with someone infected with the virus. This includes vaginal, anal and oral sex, or skin-to-skin contact.
Anyone who is sexually active can contract the virus. Even a person who’s not showing symptoms of an HPV infection can infect someone else, the CDC warns.
Can You Prevent HPV?
To reduce your risk of contracting HPV, the CDC and the American Cancer Society recommend:
Lifestyle choices
Being in a monogamous sexual relationship and knowing your partner’s sexual history before having sex can lower your risk. Condoms and dental dams can also help reduce your risk of contracting HPV, but neither provides 100% protection from the virus.
HPV vaccine
Another preventive measure is the HPV vaccine GARDASIL 9. This vaccine has significantly lowered HPV infections and cervical pre-cancers in girls and young women, according to the CDC.
"We encourage every young woman to be vaccinated against HPV," Dr. Banka said. "And every young man, too. The HPV vaccine is one of the medical community's safest and most effective ways of preventing cancer."
Children and HPV vaccines
Ideally, a child or young person should be vaccinated for HPV before they become sexually active. According to the CDC:
- For children 11 and 12 years old, they should receive the HPV vaccine as two doses given 6 to 12 months apart.
- For children who receive the HPV vaccine on or after their 15th birthday, it should be given in three doses over the course of 6 months.
Adults and HPV vaccines
“Everybody who's between nine and 26 should definitely be getting the HPV vaccine,” said Jessica Siegler, MD, a Munster, Ind., OBGYN with Franciscan Physician Network Family Wellness Center. “From the age 26 to 45, it can be an individualized decision with the doctor.”
The HPV vaccine isn’t recommended for everyone 26 and older, but some adults ages 27 to 45 might decide to get the HPV vaccine based on a discussion with their doctor, such as if they did not get vaccinated or adequately vaccinated when they were younger.
The HPV vaccine given to adults provides fewer benefits than if it were given at a younger age, as more adults are more likely to have already been exposed to HPV.
Dr. Siegler notes that some older women may benefit from receiving the HPV vaccine.
“There are some people where it's a good idea even past the age of 45. This is also an area that's sort of rapidly developing,” she said. “This is a newer recommendation that anybody who's had very abnormal pap smears in the past should probably get that vaccine and it can help prevent the recurrence of the abnormal pap smear in the future. And that would be even above the age of 45. And then so that vaccine, which is the HPV vaccine, helps prevent cervical cancer and also genital warts. So two things that are good to prevent.”
HPV vaccine effects
The CDC says that side effects of HPV vaccine include:
- Pain, redness or swelling where the shot was given
- Fever
- Headache
- Tiredness
- Nausea
- Joint or muscle pain
- Dizziness
- Fainting (more common in adolescents)
Vaccination lowers cervical cancer risk
HPV has been linked to 90% of cases of cervical cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. And research is showing that most cases could be prevented with HPV vaccination.
A 13-year study published in the medical journal Lancet found that compared to unvaccinated women, the risk of cervical cancer was 87% lower among those who received an HPV vaccine at ages 12 or 13. By contrast, it was 62% lower in those who got the vaccine at ages 14-16 and 34% lower those vaccinated at ages 16-18.
"It's totally preventable," said Michael Eaton, MD, with Franciscan Health Cancer Center Indianapolis. "The vaccine is a good investment, because it's cheaper to prevent a cancer than to treat it."
What Are Common HPV Symptoms?
Many people, male or female, can be infected with HPV and not have any symptoms at all.
HPV Symptoms In Women
- Genital warts on the vulva, vaginal walls, anus or cervix
- Warts in the mouth or throat
- Itching and discomfort
- Bleeding with intercourse
HPV doesn't cause abnormal discharge or pelvic pain.
HPV Symptoms In Men
For men, genital warts can develop on the penis, scrotum, anus, and the mouth and throat.
What Screenings Are Available?
There are U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved cervical cancer screenings that can detect high-risk HPV in cervical cells. There’s also a Pap test that can identify precancerous cell changes. The National Cancer Institute says early detection of HPV is important.
How Is HPV Treated?
There’s no treatment for the HPV virus; however, treatment is available for health problems that develop as a result of contracting the virus.
For genital warts, your health care provider can prescribe topical medications. Prescription medications such as imiquimod (Aldara, Zyclara) and sinecatechins (Veregen) are commonly used for treating genital warts, according to the Mayo Clinic.
When Should You See A Provider About HPV?
Contact a provider if:
- You received a positive HPV test result.
- You notice genital warts.
- You have abnormal vaginal bleeding.
- You missed recommended cervical cancer screenings.
- You're interested in HPV vaccination.
- You have questions about HPV exposure.
Knowing the facts about HPV can help you make informed decisions about prevention and treatment. Talk to your health care provider if you’re concerned about exposure to human papillomavirus or for more information about the HPV vaccine.
Pap Test And Cervical Cancer Screening With Franciscan Health
Cervical cancer can be screened for through Pap tests and HPV tests, which can help with early detection and prevention. Learn about cervical cancer screenings and find a provider.
Frequently Asked Questions: HPV
Can you have HPV without symptoms?
Many people do have HPV without having symptoms.
When is HPV vaccine most effective?
To be most effective, a person should get the HPV vaccine before they become sexually active. The CDC recommends vaccinations for girls and boys as early as age 9, but typically at ages 11 or 12.
Should I be vaccinated if I’ve been sexually active?
Even if you've been sexually active for years, there is still some benefit to getting the HPV vaccine. While you may already have been exposed to one or more types of the virus, you may be exposed to many additional types in the future. The vaccine will protect you against those.
How does the HPV vaccine work?
The GARDASIL 9 vaccine is created with proteins that mimic HPV, which stimulate the body to produce antibodies. When a person comes in contact with an HPV virus, those antibodies bind to the virus and prevent it from infecting cells.
GARDASIL 9 has been proven highly effective at preventing HPV infection caused by nine strands of HPV, seven of which can cause cancer. By preventing those infections, the vaccine effectively protects against an estimated 90 percent of HPV-induced cancers.
Will the HPV vaccine clear current infections?
The vaccine will not treat or clear any HPV infections you already have.
Who should not get the HPV vaccine?
Certain people should not get the HPV vaccine, including those who are pregnant or have immunocompromising diseases like HIV. If you are breastfeeding, you may safely receive the vaccine.
Additionally, the CDC has recommended that people who have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to any ingredient in an HPV vaccine or who have an allergy to yeast not get the HPV vaccine.
