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The thought of contracting human papillomavirus can be scary. HPV infection can lead to genital warts, and even cervical cancer—though some strains don't have any obvious symptoms. Don't let fear keep you from seeking treatment, or education on how to prevent this common condition.
What is HPV?
HPV, or human papillomavirus, is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the U.S. Around 14 million people are newly infected with HPV every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
There are more than 100 types of HPV and 40 of them are passed through sexual contact. There is not currently a cure for HPV, but there is an HPV vaccine available for prevention. People with an HPV infection won’t always develop symptoms, but it can cause warts. Thirteen strains, particularly HPV 16 and 18 are associated with cervical cancer, therefore seeking medical attention is important. There are treatments available for the health problems HPV causes, such as warts and cervical cancer. Some symptoms will go away on their own.
How is HPV diagnosed?
Many people with human papillomavirus do not know they have it because they do not have any symptoms. If symptoms do appear, the location on the body and appearance of HPV warts may vary. It can be hard to detect a genital HPV infection because of the varied location of warts. It’s important for women to have regular Pap tests so your doctor can screen for changes or irregularities of your cervix that are caused by HPV. However, a Pap test doesn’t detect HPV, or even cervical cancer, so additional tests may be required.
There is an HPV test that can detect some types of high-risk HPV, but for women 25 and older instead of a pap test, women 30-65 with a pap test, or as a follow-up to a pap test that finds abnormal cells. It does not screen for cancer, but rather the presence of HPV strains that could cause cervical cancer. Many doctors base diagnosis and treatment on the abnormalities found in a Pap test instead. Pap tests are usually recommended every 2-3 years based on medical history.
Currently, there is no test to detect high-risk HPV in men. There are no tests available to identify HPV infection in the vulva, penis, anus, or throat, which can make diagnosing the STI very difficult. It’s always best to have an open discussion about your sexual history with your healthcare provider to determine if you’re at risk for HPV.
HPV treatment options
Treatment options for human papillomavirus depend on the strain you have, your body’s response, and the location of your warts. For example, if you have warts on your face or legs, the treatment is very different than if you have genital warts or warts on the cervix. For those with lesions or warts on the outer skin, your doctor may prescribe a topical treatment or medication. If you’ve had an irregular Pap test, abnormal cells on your cervix, or positive results on a high-risk HPV test then you may have to have a procedure to remove the HPV to prevent cervical cancer. While HPV can go away on its own, nearly all cervical cancers are caused by an HPV infection.
Early detection of genital HPV infection or an HPV vaccination can help prevent this. “Yearly Pap smears with HPV testing can be performed to monitor for HPV infection,” says Cynthia Chinedu Obiozor, MD. “Pap smears with HPV testing should be performed with you are sexually active,” she went on to say.
After receiving a high-risk HPV diagnosis, your doctor may want to schedule a colposcopy. This procedure is similar to a pelvic exam and may result in a biopsy of the cells on your cervix. It tends to be relatively pain-free and is a more in-depth way to check for precancerous cells or cells that could turn into cancer. While a colposcopy isn’t necessarily a treatment option for HPV it tends to go hand-in-hand with treatment procedures.
One way of removing precancerous cells or genital warts from the cervix and treating HPV is cryotherapy. This procedure is fairly straightforward and involves freezing precancerous cells and warts with cold chemicals then removing them. By removing the bad cells with cryotherapy, new cells are able to grow back in the same spot with ease. If precancerous lesions are detected through screenings such as a colposcopy then treatment such as cryotherapy will likely be recommended by the physician, according to the CDC.
Another treatment option for HPV is Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure or LEEP. Similar to cryotherapy, a LEEP involves the removal of abnormal cells and genital warts on the cervix. This procedure is similar to what the name implies—using an electrical wire loop, and an electrical current—to remove the precancerous cells. Some patients have reported pain and discomfort during and after a LEEP, some have even experienced long-term side effects from the procedure. A LEEP is typically used after already attempting other treatment options due to the pain it can cause.
HPV medications
Most treatment options focus on types of HPV found in the genital area and removing warts, so medications are not often prescribed. However, for patients with HPV on the face, legs, and other areas of the body there are some topical medications doctors may prescribe to remove warts.
Keratolytic agents
These topical treatments are prescribed and applied to the area where warts and lesions have grown. This medication works by thinning the skin around and on the affected area, allowing for new, healthy skin to grow. Podofilox and trichloroacetic acid are two popular solutions in this drug class. Side effects of using keratolytic agents include stinging, burning, and tenderness of the area where medication is applied.
Immune response modifiers
Another topical solution that can be used to treat genital warts, as well as anal warts, are immune response modifiers. This class of drugs works by boosting the immune system and its ability to fight off the infection, especially in the areas where the topical treatment is applied. One of the more commonly prescribed solutions for HPV is Imiquimod, which works by increasing the activity of the body’s immune system. Side effects of using this class of medications can include redness, itching, and burning of the treated area.
What is the best medication for HPV?
| Best medications for HPV | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drug name | Drug class | Administration route | Standard dosage | Common side effects |
| Condylox (podofilox) | Keratolytic Agent | Topical | 3.5 ml of 0.5% applied in small amounts twice a day for 3 days | Inflammation, pain, burning |
| Trichloroacetic acid | Keratolytic Agent | Topical | 20 gm use as directed by a physician | Severe burning, inflammation, tenderness |
| Aldara (imiquimod) | Immune Response Modifiers | Topical | Apply once a day for 3 days a week until healed | Redness, itching, burning |
| Zyclara | Immune Response Modifiers | Topical | Apply once a day for 3 days a week until healed | Redness, itching, burning |
Dosage is determined by your doctor based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and weight. Other possible side effects exist. This is not a complete list.
What are the common side effects of HPV medication?
Medications used for treating human papillomavirus tend to have relatively similar side effects due to the way they are used and the way warts and lesions can respond to treatment. However, it is important to note that these side effects will not be the same for everyone and their presence or severity may vary. This is not a complete list and you should always consult your doctor regarding potential risks when starting a new medication. Potential side effects of HPV medication can include:
- Redness
- Itching
- Burning
- Inflammation
- Irritation
- Headache
- Bleeding
- Dizziness
What are the best natural remedies for HPV?
Seeking professional care from a healthcare provider will likely be your best option for managing HPV types that result in genital warts or precancerous cells on the cervix. There are many articles claiming that natural remedies exist for HPV such as tea tree oil, green tea, and garlic. While these alternative treatments may have potential, the reality is that HPV it may go away on its own without medical or alternative treatment. There are plenty of great natural remedies for a variety of conditions out there, but for clearing up precancerous abnormal cells, you might want to play it safe and head to your healthcare professional.
Frequently asked questions about HPV
Can you get rid of HPV once you have it?
Yes, human papillomavirus can go away on its own and some types of HPV are treatable with medications or procedures. Although there is no cure for HPV, warts can be treated.
What is the best treatment for HPV?
Treatment may look different for each patient because there are many different HPV types and symptoms. If you have warts or lesions on your face, legs, or another skin area then you may be able to use a topical treatment. However, if you have genital warts or abnormal cells on your cervix you may need to undergo cryotherapy or a Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure also known as a LEEP. The first step is talking with your healthcare professional to see which treatment is best for you.
How do doctors treat HPV?
Treatment options for HPV depend on the type of HPV you have. Some doctors will recommend topical medications, while others will recommend procedures like cryotherapy or LEEP. If you haven’t been diagnosed with HPV, your doctor may recommend a vaccine to prevent HPV infections.
Is HPV an STD?
Yes, human papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection.While there are many forms of HPV, there are 40 different strains that can cause genital warts and a few can lead to cervical cancer.
Is there a cure for HPV?
No, there is not a cure for HPV. However, there are many treatment options available if you are diagnosed with high-risk types of HPV. Additionally, there is an HPV vaccine available to prevent infection.
What are the symptoms of HPV?
Many cases of HPV don't have symptoms of any kind and most of those who have it may never know. Symptoms typically include the presence of warts or lesions on the face, legs, vulva, anus, or genitals.