There are more than 100 types of HPV and about 40 types can infect the genital area – the vuvla, vagina, cervix, rectum, anus, penis, or scrotum Genital HPV infections are very common.
HPV is so common that about half of all men and more than 3 out of 4 women have HPV at some point in their lives. Although most HPV infections (low risk HPV) go away within 8 to 13 months, some HPV infections (high risk HPV) can “hide” in the body for years and not be detected. Abnormal cells can develop when high-risk types of HPV don’t go away. If these abnormal cells are not detected and treated, they can lead to cancer. The type of cancer HPV causes most often is cervical cancer.
HPV is spread by skin-to-skin contact, usually during vaginal, anal, or oral sex play.
Common Symptoms:
- There aren’t any HPV symptoms for high-risk types of HPV in women or men. Most people feel fine even when they have cell changes caused by HPV.
Testing and Treatment: Because HPV is such a common infection that usually goes away on its own, there is often no reason for you to even worry about whether you have it. Most people never know when they have HPV.
Testing: If a woman does find out she has HPV, she usually finds out as a result of having an abnormal Pap test. Pap tests are very important tests for finding abnormal cells on the cervix that are caused by HPV.
There is an HPV test for women, but it is only used in certain situations. Your health care providers may recommend the HPV test as a follow-up to a Pap test that finds abnormal cells or when Pap test results are not clear. It may also be recommended for women over 30 in conjunction with their Pap test.
There is currently no HPV test for men.
Treatment: There is currently no HPV treatment to cure HPV itself. Most HPV infections are harmless, do not require treatment, and go away by themselves. Treatment is available for the abnormal cell changes in the cervix that are caused by HPV. Common treatments include colposcopy, cryotherapy, and LEEP"Loop Electrosurgical Excision" is a procedure in which an electrical wire loop is used to remove an abnormal piece of tissue on the cervix..
Reduce Your Risk: Gardasil, a new HPV Vaccine, is available at all PPWP health center sites. This vaccine protects against 4 types of HPV that are linked to 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts.
