Sexual Health STDs HPV HPV Guide HPV Guide Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Coping Prevention Coping With Human Papillomavirus Infection (HPV) By Andrea Chisholm, MD Andrea Chisholm, MD Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Andrea Chisolm, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who has taught at both Tufts University School of Medicine and Harvard Medical School. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 15, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Monique Rainford, MD Medically reviewed by Monique Rainford, MD Monique Rainford, MD, is board-certified in obstetrics-gynecology, and currently serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale Medicine. She is the former chief of obstetrics-gynecology at Yale Health. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Diagnosis Boosting Your Immune System Support Impact on Sex Life Frequently Asked Questions Next in HPV Guide masturbation during stdsti treatment regimens If you or your partner have just been diagnosed with human papillomavirus (HPV), you're certainly not alone. HPV infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection. In fact, it is thought that just about anyone who has had sex has been exposed to HPV. If you feel stressed about your HPV diagnosis, know there are a few things you can do to help cope with this infection. Ellen Lindner / Verywell This article will explain how HPV is diagnosed and ways to boost your immune system to help your body fight this virus. It will also cover where to find support, as well as how this diagnosis may impact your sex life. How Is HPV Diagnosed? There are typically two ways that you can find out that you have HPV. You may be diagnosed with genital warts, which are raised or flat bumps, or you may test positive for HPV on a screening test, called a Pap smear. What happens next depends on your specific symptoms and screening test. Your healthcare provider will recommend the appropriate treatment or follow-up. Keep in mind that most cases of HPV go away without treatment within two years. HPV Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider's appointment to help you ask the right questions. Download PDF Email the Guide Send to yourself or a loved one. Sign Up This Doctor Discussion Guide has been sent to {{form.email}}. There was an error. Please try again. How Do You Boost Your Immune System to Fight HPV? There are some things you can do to boost your immune system and help your body clear the virus. You may also want to speak with your doctor about getting the HPV vaccine. Even if you already have HPV, getting the vaccine can help prevent you from getting other types of it, including ones that can lead to cancer. Quit Smoking If you are a current cigarette smoker and you have HPV, you should do your best to quit smoking. Smoking is thought to decrease your immunity, which impacts your body's ability to fight off illnesses, including the HPV infection. Those who smoke are also at a higher risk for getting multiple HPV infections. Is It Possible to Get the Same STI Twice? Decrease Stress When your body's stress hormone levels increase, your immune system doesn't work as well as it should. This means you can't fight off infections, like HPV, very effectively. Making changes in your life to reduce your stress level is very important. Activities like yoga, connecting with friends, and meditation can help decrease the effects of stress on your body. What Is Cortisol? Review Your Diet There is some disagreement among experts on whether or not diet plays a role in helping your body get rid of HPV. There is some thought that certain B-complex vitamins are effective in boosting your immune system. These include riboflavin (B2), thiamine (B1), vitamin B12, and folate. Making sure your diet includes foods rich in these B vitamins is certainly not harmful and may be helpful. How Do You Find Support for HPV? Being diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection can be very stressful, but you should not be embarrassed about having HPV. You might be surprised that once you open up to trusted family or friends about your diagnosis, you will find that many people have dealt with this infection. Talk with your healthcare provider about local resources for individuals diagnosed with HPV. For online support groups, you can check out the American Sexual Health Association website. Remember that HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection and you are not alone. Recap Speak with your doctor or visit the American Sexual Health Association website for resources for individuals diagnosed with HPV. How Much Do You Know About Human Papillomavirus (HPV)? Does HPV Impact Your Sex Life? Being diagnosed with HPV is not a fatal blow to your sex life. You may just need to sit out a few weeks if you are being treated for genital warts. Keep in mind having one sexual partner and using protection can help lower your risk of getting another sexually transmitted infection. Because genital warts are so easily transmitted from skin-to-skin contact, your current sex partner may also want to get checked for them. Summary You may find out that you have HPV through a routine Pap smear, or if you are diagnosed with genital warts. While most cases of HPV clear on their own within two years, your doctor may also recommend treatment for your specific symptoms, as well as support resources. To help boost your immune system so your body can fight HPV, you may consider quitting smoking, decreasing your stress level, and altering your diet. Keep in mind that HPV is very common and you are not alone. Frequently Asked Questions How do you know if you have HPV? Most people with HPV don't show any symptoms. Only individuals with a cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina, are able to get tested. However, if you or your partner notice genital warts, you should reach out to a doctor right away. Is HPV a lifelong infection? Not typically. HPV infections often go away without treatment within a few months, and about 90% clear on their own within two years. However, some individuals may have long-term symptoms or develop cervical cancer. How do you know when HPV is gone? If you don't have symptoms, you may not know when the infection has cleared your system. If you have symptoms, your doctor will be able to tell you when you no longer have the infection. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 10 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Genital hpv infection - fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Genital hpv infection - fact sheet. Nemours TeensHealth. Can getting the hpv vaccine help if i already have genital warts? Eldridge RC, Pawlita M, Wilson L, et al. Smoking and subsequent human papillomavirus infection: a mediation analysis. Annals of Epidemiology. 2017;27(11):724-730.e1 doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2017.10.004 Cohen S, Janicki-Deverts D, Doyle WJ, et al. Chronic stress, glucocorticoid receptor resistance, inflammation, and disease risk. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2012;109(16):5995-5999. doi:10.1073/pnas.1118355109 Erickson BK, Alvarez RD, Huh WK. Human papillomavirus: what every provider should know. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2013;208(3):169–175. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2012.09.007 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Genital hpv infection - fact sheet. American Cancer Society. Hpv and hpv testing. World Health Organization. Human papilloma virus (hpv) and cervical cancer. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Genital hpv infection - fact sheet.