Explainer

HPV + genital warts

Real talk

HPV is a common STI. Most people will develop at least one strain of HPV in their lives.

Myth-busting

Myth: “HPV will always show up as genital warts.”
Fact: No. Although some strains of HPV cause genital warts, many are symptomless.

Myth: “I don’t need to get routine cancer screenings if I’ve been vaccinated for HPV.”
Fact: Not true. While the Gardasil vaccine is a good protective measure, it only targets nine strains of HPV. There are dozens more strains out there, so you still need to screen regularly.

Myth: “I haven’t had much sex, so I don’t need to get screened for HPV.”
Fact: Incorrect. If you have a cervix, even if you’ve only had sexual contact once, you need to continue getting cervical cancer screenings throughout your life.

What is HPV?

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is the most common STI.

There are over 100 types of HPV (with 40 of these affecting the genitals). Almost everyone (around 9 in 10 people) will have at least 1 form of genital HPV in their lifetime, and most won’t have any symptoms (asymptomatic).

Here are some important facts about HPV:

Infections usually clear in 1-2 years, but in some cases, can stay dormant in the body with symptoms reappearing in the future.
Even if you don’t have any symptoms, you can still pass it on to sexual partners.
Everyone who is sexually active is susceptible to HPV, no matter what or who our sex lives involve.
Symptoms are either classified as ‘low-risk’ or ‘high-risk’. Low-risk symptoms are more visible and noticeable, and cannot lead to cancer. High-risk symptoms are harder to detect, and are pre-cancerous (can turn into cancer).

How do you get HPV?

HPV is hard to avoid completely as it is so common.

HPV is easily passed through skin-to-skin contact, most commonly through oral sex, rimming and any kind of genital-to-genital contact – with or without penetration. It may also be passed through fingering, fisting or sharing sex toys.

HPV can also be passed from parent to child during childbirth.

What are the symptoms of HPV?

Some strains of HPV can cause genital warts. They often appear as small bumps with a slightly rough surface around the genitals or anal area. While warts may be annoying, they are not harmful to your health. These strains are considered ‘low-risk’.

Some strains of HPV are invisible. Some strains will clear on their own, but others can lead to cervical and other cancers, including anal, vaginal, vulvar, penile and oropharyngeal cancers (cancers of the back of the throat, including the base of the tongue and tonsils). These strains are considered ‘high-risk’ and are usually found either through the cervical screening test (previously known as a pap smear) or other cancer screening tests.

How is HPV prevented?

The latest Gardasil vaccine protects you against the nine strains of HPV that cause the vast majority of HPV cancers and genital warts. However, there are dozens of HPV strains that may be sexually transmitted.

You can also use barriers like condoms, dams and gloves to reduce the risk of HPV, but since transmission occurs through any skin-to-skin contact, barriers are never 100% effective.

To reduce the cancer risks related to HPV, always keep up-to-date with any routine cancer screenings, such as cervical screenings.

How do you test for HPV?

For people with a cervix, HPV is usually detected with a cervical screening test (CST). This is a routine test, but it’s separate from an STI screening. Cervical screening is a cancer prevention program that looks for HPV before it causes any problems.

Cervical screening is recommended for anyone with a cervix (including a neo-cervix) aged 25 to 74 who has ever had any kind of sexual contact. Self-collected swabs are an easy and reliable testing option in many circumstances, rather than a speculum exam.

To find out more about cancer screening for LGBTQ+ people, check out our cancer screening and prevention toolkit.

There is no routine test for genital warts.

To find out more about cancer screening for LGBTQ+ people, check out our cancer screening page.

How do you get treated for HPV?

There’s no cure for HPV, but there are treatments that can get rid of warts and prevent many cancers.

Although most HPV infections are cleared by the immune system, the types that don’t go away on their own can eventually become cancer. The best way to avoid cancer from HPV is to keep up-to-date with routine cancer screenings, such as cervical screenings for people with a cervix aged 25 to 74.

Genital warts are usually treated with self-applied creams prescribed by a doctor. You can also ask for liquid nitrogen (freeze) therapy. Keep in mind that it may take several weeks of treatment to get rid of the warts.

When to see a healthcare professional

A healthcare professional can recommend the tests that are right for your body and your sexual practices. They can provide treatment straight away if you need it, check for any complications, and talk with you about re-testing or letting partners know. Regular checks are a simple way to look after yourself, your partners and your community.

See a healthcare provider if: