Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the name of a group of viruses. There are many types of HPV, including types that cause genital warts. HPV infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases.

How does it occur?

Many types of HPV are passed from one person to another during sexual relations. Several of these types cause genital warts.

Genital warts usually appear on the inside and outside of the genital area. They may spread to other nearby areas of the body. You may get warts in your mouth if you have had oral sexual contact with an infected person.

What are the symptoms of HPV infection?

Many times there are no symptoms. In other cases growths (warts) may appear in the genital or rectal area within several weeks, months, or years after contact with an infected person.

How is it diagnosed?

Your health care provider will do a pelvic exam. Often HPV is discovered when a Pap smear is done. If the results of a Pap smear are abnormal, your health care provider may examine your vagina and cervix with a magnifying instrument called a colposcope. Your health care provider may then do a biopsy, removing a sample of tissue to examine under a microscope. This will help determine if HPV is the reason the Pap smear was abnormal. An abnormal Pap smear does not necessarily mean that you have HPV. There are other reasons for abnormal Pap smear results.

How is it treated?

There are several ways to treat HPV. Your doctor will discuss your treatment choices with you. Usually the treatment is done in the doctor's office. Possible treatments are:

medications that are put on the site of HPV infection
cryotherapy--freezing with liquid nitrogen
laser treatment--a high-intensity light beam used to destroy the infection
electrosurgery--an electric current used to burn or remove the infection with a wire loop
surgery--cutting away the growths or infection.

If you have several growths or large growths, you may need to have a local anesthetic before your health care provider removes the warts.

How long will the effects last?

Treatment can remove the warts, but it may not eliminate the virus. As a result, the warts may come back and you may need more treatments.

Most HPV infections are not dangerous to your health. However, some types of HPV are related to the development of cervical cancer and other types of cancers. For this reason it is especially important for women who have had HPV infection to have regular Pap smears to check for precancerous conditions.

How can I take care of myself?

If you have an unusual vaginal discharge or notice growths in the genital area, see your health care provider. When you have an abnormal Pap test, follow your provider's advice for evaluation and treatment. Your health care provider will tell you how often you should have follow-up exams and Pap smears.

What can be done to help prevent HPV?

Get a pelvic exam and Pap test at least once a year.
Practice safe sex: Use a latex condom every time you have sex and have only one sexual partner.
Avoid sexual contact until genital warts are treated.
Avoid smoking. Studies show that smoking increases the risks and problems related to HPV infection.

Return to Infertility and Women's Health Care Articles

Robert B. McWilliams, MD Reproductive Endocrinology and Gynecology

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Return to Infertility and Women's Health Care Articles

Robert B. McWilliams, MD
Reproductive Endocrinology
and Gynecology