Sexual Health Clinic

HPV: The Virus Almost Everyone Gets (And How to Handle It)

Here's something that might surprise you: nearly 80% of sexually active people will get HPV at some point in their lives. It's that common. Most never even know they have it because their body clears it naturally.

Whether you're here for testing, wart treatment, or vaccination – we've got you covered with judgment-free care.

Book HPV Consultation 📞 Call Us

✓ HPV Testing ✓ Wart Removal ✓ HPV Vaccination

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Let's Start With Some Perspective

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) sounds scary, but it's actually the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. If you're sexually active, chances are you've already had it – even if you never knew.

80%

of people will get HPV in their lifetime

90%

of HPV infections clear on their own within 2 years

200+

types of HPV exist (most are harmless)

For most people, HPV comes and goes without causing any problems. But for some, it can cause genital warts or, in rare cases, lead to cancer if left unchecked. That's why awareness, screening, and vaccination matter.

What Exactly is HPV?

Simple explanations without the medical jargon

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is a group of over 200 related viruses. They spread through skin-to-skin contact, primarily during sexual activity. Here's what you need to know:

✅ Low-Risk HPV Types

These can cause genital warts but don't lead to cancer. Types 6 and 11 cause about 90% of genital warts. Warts are treatable and don't affect long-term health.

⚠️ High-Risk HPV Types

About 14 types can lead to cancer if they persist for years without clearing. Types 16 and 18 cause about 70% of cervical cancers. Regular screening catches problems early.

🌟 The Encouraging Truth About HPV

✅ Most HPV infections cause no symptoms at all
✅ Your immune system usually clears the virus naturally within 1-2 years
✅ Even high-risk HPV rarely leads to cancer when caught through regular screening
✅ The HPV vaccine can prevent most cancer-causing and wart-causing types
✅ Genital warts are treatable and don't affect your overall health

What Does HPV Look Like?

Most people with HPV have no symptoms – but when they appear, here's what to look for

Genital Warts (Low-Risk HPV)

🔹 Small bumps or groups of bumps

🔹 Flesh-colored, soft to touch

🔹 Flat or raised, sometimes cauliflower-like

🔹 On genitals, groin, thighs, or anus

🔹 Usually painless (may itch occasionally)

🔹 Can appear weeks to months after exposure

High-Risk HPV (Usually No Symptoms)

High-risk HPV types typically cause no visible symptoms. They can only be detected through screening tests (like Pap smears or HPV tests). This is why regular screening is so important – it catches cellular changes before they become a problem.

💡 Important: Genital warts can look like other conditions (skin tags, molluscum, or normal anatomy). Don't self-diagnose – let us take a look and give you a proper answer.

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HPV Testing: What's Available

Different tests for different situations

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For Women: HPV Screening

HPV testing for women is well-established and important for cervical cancer prevention:

Pap smear: Checks for abnormal cervical cells
HPV test: Detects high-risk HPV types
Co-testing: Both tests together (recommended 30+)
Recommended every 3-5 years depending on age

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For Men: Limited Testing

There's no approved routine HPV test for men. Here's what we can do:

Visual examination: Doctor checks for warts
Anal Pap smear: For men at higher risk
Biopsy: If suspicious lesions are found
Focus is on treating visible symptoms

👀 Visual Wart Diagnosis

Genital warts are usually diagnosed by visual examination – no lab test needed. Our doctors are experienced in identifying warts and can often diagnose them on the spot. If there's any doubt, a small biopsy can confirm.

Genital Warts Treatment: Your Options

Warts are treatable – here's how we can help you get rid of them

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Topical Medications

Prescription creams you apply at home over several weeks. Options include Imiquimod, Podophyllotoxin, and Sinecatechins. Best for smaller warts.

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Cryotherapy (Freezing)

Liquid nitrogen freezes and destroys wart tissue. Done in-clinic, takes just a few minutes. May need multiple sessions for complete removal.

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Electrocautery

Uses electrical current to burn off warts. Effective for larger or stubborn warts. Done under local anesthesia – you won't feel pain during the procedure.

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Surgical Excision

Cutting away warts with surgical tools. Best for large warts or when other treatments haven't worked. Done under local anesthesia.

⚠️ Important Things to Know

Treatment removes warts but doesn't cure the virus – your immune system does that over time
Warts may recur in the first few months after treatment – this is normal
Most people's immune systems clear the virus within 2 years
Don't use over-the-counter wart removers on genital areas – they're too harsh

Book Wart Removal Consultation

The HPV Vaccine: Prevention is Powerful

The HPV vaccine is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself

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Gardasil 9 Vaccine

The most comprehensive HPV vaccine available, protecting against 9 HPV types including those that cause:

✅ ~90% of cervical cancers

✅ ~90% of anal cancers

✅ ~90% of genital warts

✅ Many throat, vulvar, vaginal, and penile cancers

Who Should Get Vaccinated?

👦👧 Ages 9-14 (Ideal)

Best protection when given before sexual activity begins. Only 2 doses needed.

🧑 Ages 15-26

Still highly beneficial. 3 doses recommended. Protects against types you haven't been exposed to yet.

👨👩 Ages 27-45

May still benefit, especially with new partners. Discuss with your doctor if it's right for you.

💡 Already have HPV? The vaccine can still protect you against other HPV types you haven't encountered yet.

HPV Vaccination Available at Our Clinic

We offer Gardasil 9 for both men and women. Protect yourself and your partners.

Book HPV Vaccination

Your HPV Questions, Answered

"My partner has HPV. Will I definitely get it?"

Not necessarily, but the chances are high if you've been intimate. If you've been together for a while, you've likely already been exposed and may have the same type. Your immune system may have already cleared it without you ever knowing. Vaccination can still protect against types you haven't encountered.

"Will I have HPV/warts forever?"

Most likely not. About 90% of HPV infections are cleared by your immune system within 2 years. Genital warts often go away on their own too, though treatment speeds up the process. Once your immune system clears the virus, the warts typically don't come back.

"Does HPV mean I'll get cancer?"

The vast majority of HPV infections do NOT lead to cancer. Even high-risk HPV types rarely cause cancer – it typically takes years of persistent infection. Regular screening (like Pap smears) catches abnormal cells early, long before cancer develops. With modern screening, cervical cancer is highly preventable.

"Can I have sex if I have genital warts?"

We recommend avoiding sexual contact while you have visible warts and during treatment. Condoms reduce transmission but don't eliminate it since HPV spreads through skin contact. Be honest with partners about your status. After warts clear and stay gone for a period, transmission risk decreases.

"Should I still get vaccinated if I already have HPV?"

Yes, often it's still worthwhile. The vaccine protects against multiple HPV types. If you have one type, you're likely not infected with all 9 types the vaccine covers. Vaccination can protect you against the others. Discuss with your doctor based on your specific situation.

"Can men get tested for HPV?"

Unfortunately, there's no approved routine HPV test for men. For most men, HPV causes no problems and clears on its own. We can examine for visible warts and perform anal Pap smears for men at higher risk of anal cancer. Vaccination is the best protection for men.

"How did I get HPV if I've only been with one person?"

HPV is extremely common, and your partner may have had it from a previous relationship without knowing. It can stay dormant for years before showing symptoms. This isn't about blame – most sexually active people will encounter HPV at some point.