Sexual Health STDs HPV HPV Guide HPV Guide Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Coping Prevention Signs and Symptoms of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Infection By Andrea Chisholm, MD facebook twitter linkedin 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 Andrea Chisholm, MD Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Anita Sadaty, MD on April 25, 2019 facebook twitter linkedin instagram Anita Sadaty, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at North Shore University Hospital and founder of Redefining Health Medical. Learn about our Medical Review Board Anita Sadaty, MD Updated on August 24, 2020 Print Table of Contents View All Frequent Symptoms Less Frequent Symptoms Complications When to See a Doctor Next in HPV Guide Causes and Risk Factors of HPV Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection. If you currently are or have been sexually active, it is quite possible that you have been exposed to it. But knowing if you have been infected by HPV can be tricky. The virus may be present in your body for a while before it is detected through signs and symptoms such as lumps and itching. Understanding what HPV infection does to your body and what changes you may (or may not) see is an important part of maintaining good health. © Verywell, 2018 Frequent Symptoms The most frequent symptom of HPV infection is actually no symptoms at all. This is what doctors refer to as an asymptomatic infection. It is even possible that you may have been infected by HPV and that your body cleared this infection without you even knowing it. This is called a transient infection. This type of HPV infection occurs most commonly in younger sexually active women. A lack of symptoms is especially true for the high-risk strains of HPV. That is why it is so important to see your gynecologist regularly for exams and appropriate screening tests. Less Frequent Symptoms If you do develop symptoms of HPV infection it is likely because you have developed genital warts from the virus. Genital Lumps and Bumps HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that is spread by direct skin to skin contact with a partner who is infected. That makes your genitals—the vulva and vagina for women and the penis and scrotum for men— are the most common sites for symptoms (if any are present). And, if your sex life includes or has included anal sex, these symptoms may occur around that area as well. Thus, HPV infection causes genital warts. Genital warts are typically painless fleshy tissue growths that you may notice in the shower or while shaving or that your partner might notice during sex. It is important that you see your doctor if you have any growths or skin lesions on your genitals. HPV is not the only sexually transmitted infection that causes changes in the skin of your genitals. Genital Itching Genital itching is not a symptom that is specific to HPV infection. There are many other causes of this symptom, including yeast infections and allergic reactions. But if you have noticed that your vulva has started itching in the same spot that you have a new flesh-like bump, chances are you may have a genital wart from HPV. This is a good time for you to see your gynecologist. And as noted above, if you have had anal sex these symptoms could be occurring in that area as well. Although itching and a flesh-like growth in the area of your anus is much more likely to be a hemorrhoid, it is still important to let your doctor make that diagnosis. Complications The significant complications of HPV infection are related to the high-risk strains of HPV. Fortunately, the majority of HPV infections are cleared by your body within a year or two. This is especially true for younger sexually active women and for sexually active men. However, persistent infection with high-risk HPV can lead to serious and—if undetected and untreated—deadly diseases. Precancerous Conditions of the Genital Tract Certain types of HPV can cause changes in your body that can lead to conditions that, if left untreated, could ultimately lead to cancer. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN)Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN)Vaginal intraepithelial neoplasia (VAIN) Early detection of high-risk HPV and treating the cellular changes it causes in your body are essential in preventing gynecologic cancers. Seeing your gynecologist regularly and keeping up with your cervical cancer screening and getting treatment when appropriate is essential for prevention. HPV-Related Cancer HPV causes changes in the cells it infects. Over time, this can lead to events that transform normal cells into cancerous cells. Your sex practices determine what parts of your body may be exposed to HPV infection. HPV can be transmitted by vaginal, anal, and oral sex. This is why early detection and treatment is essential in preventing these potentially deadly complications: Mouth and throat cancerCervical cancerVulvar cancerVaginal cancerPenile cancerAnal cancer At the current time, we only have approved and reliable screening testing for the detection of genital tract HPV in women. This underscores the importance of regular physical exams. Women should take advantage of the screening test, and both men and women should discuss their sexual practices and be examined appropriately. When to See a Doctor You should see your doctor whenever you notice any changes in the appearance of your genitals or if you develop any unpleasant symptoms. However, seeing your doctor regularly for wellness checks and getting the recommended screening tests is very important for your sexual and overall health. HPV Doctor Discussion Guide Get our printable guide for your next doctor'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. For women, this is especially important when it comes to preventing the most common HPV-related cancer: cervical cancer. Remember that HPV infection and especially infection with high-risk HPV rarely if ever cause any symptoms until it has developed into an advanced gynecologic cancer, which is why appropriate check-ups and follow-ups are important. Causes and Risk Factors of HPV 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 Article 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. Planned Parenthood. Human Papillomavirus (HPV). plannedparenthood.org Luria L, Cardoza-Favarato G. Human Papillomavirus. [Updated 2019 Dec 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448132/ Braaten KP, Laufer MR. Human Papillomavirus (HPV), HPV-Related Disease, and the HPV Vaccine. Rev Obstet Gynecol. 2008;1(1):2‐10. Wiley D, Masongsong E. Human papillomavirus: the burden of infection. Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2006;61(6 Suppl 1):S3‐S14. doi:10.1097/01.ogx.0000221010.82943.8c Panatto D, Amicizia D, Trucchi C, et al. Sexual behaviour and risk factors for the acquisition of human papillomavirus infections in young people in Italy: suggestions for future vaccination policies. BMC Public Health. 2012;12:623. Published 2012 Aug 7. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-12-623 Leslie SW, Sajjad H, Kumar S. Genital Warts. [Updated 2020 May 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441884/ Anic GM, Giuliano AR. Genital HPV infection and related lesions in men. Prev Med. 2011;53 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S36‐S41. doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2011.08.002 Savas JA, Pichardo RO. Female Genital Itch. Dermatol Clin. 2018;36(3):225‐243. doi:10.1016/j.det.2018.02.006 Burd EM. Human papillomavirus and cervical cancer. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2003;16(1):1‐17. doi:10.1128/cmr.16.1.1-17.2003 Boda D, Docea AO, Calina D, et al. Human papilloma virus: Apprehending the link with carcinogenesis and unveiling new research avenues (Review). Int J Oncol. 2018;52(3):637‐655. doi:10.3892/ijo.2018.4256 Mello V, Sundstrom RK. Cancer, Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) [Updated 2019 Jun 16]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544371/ Ayala M, Fatehi M. Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia. [Updated 2019 Nov 16]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK540982/ Lamos C, Mihaljevic C, Aulmann S, et al. Detection of Human Papillomavirus Infection in Patients with Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia. PLoS One. 2016;11(12):e0167386. Published 2016 Dec 1. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0167386 Stanley MA. Epithelial cell responses to infection with human papillomavirus. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2012;25(2):215‐222. doi:10.1128/CMR.05028-11 Dixit R, Bhavsar C, Marfatia YS. Laboratory diagnosis of human papillomavirus virus infection in female genital tract. Indian J Sex Transm Dis AIDS. 2011;32(1):50‐52. doi:10.4103/0253-7184.81257 Additional Reading Erickson BK, Alvarez RD, Huh WK. Human papillomavirus: what every provider should know. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2013;208(3):169‐175. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2012.09.007