HPV, short for human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted infection. Most sexually active people will be exposed to HPV at some point in their lives, and many never know they have it.
That does not mean HPV should be ignored. Some HPV types can cause genital warts. Other types can increase the risk of certain cancers, including cervical, anal, penile, vaginal, vulvar, and throat cancers.
The good news: HPV is common, manageable, and often preventable. Vaccination, routine screening, condoms, and better sexual health awareness can all help reduce risk.
KISS helps you stay proactive with private encounter tracking, testing reminders, sexual health education, and anonymous partner notifications.
Quick HPV Facts
HPV is the most common STI.
About 85% of people will get an HPV infection in their lifetime.
There are more than 200 known HPV types.
Around 40 HPV types can infect the genital area.
Most HPV infections have no symptoms.
In most cases, HPV goes away on its own within two years.
HPV 6 and HPV 11 are low-risk types commonly linked to genital warts.
HPV 16 and HPV 18 are high-risk types linked to most HPV-related cancers.
HPV can cause cervical, anal, penile, vaginal, vulvar, and throat cancers.
There is no general HPV test that tells someone their full “HPV status.”
The HPV vaccine can prevent more than 90% of cancers caused by HPV.
Condoms lower HPV risk, but they do not fully prevent HPV because HPV can spread through skin-to-skin contact.
HPV & HPV Types by the Numbers
HPV is not one single virus. It is a large group of related viruses with more than 200 known types. Around 40 HPV types can infect the genital area, including the cervix, vagina, vulva, penis, anus, mouth, and throat. Most HPV infections are harmless and clear naturally. But some types matter more because they are linked to genital warts or cancer.
The most important HPV types to know are:
HPV 6 and HPV 11
These are considered low-risk HPV types. They are most commonly linked to genital warts, not cancer.
HPV 16 and HPV 18
These are high-risk HPV types. They are responsible for the majority of cervical cancers and are also linked to other HPV-related cancers.
HPV 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58
These are also high-risk HPV types. They are included in the Gardasil 9 vaccine because they can contribute to cervical and other HPV-related cancers.
HPV is common, but not all HPV types carry the same risk. That is why vaccination, screening, and sexual health awareness are so important.
What Is HPV?
HPV stands for human papillomavirus. It spreads through intimate skin-to-skin sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex. HPV is different from HIV and herpes. It is often silent, extremely common, and many people clear the infection naturally without ever knowing they had it.
There are two major categories of genital HPV:
Low-risk HPV
Low-risk types may cause genital warts but are not the types usually linked to cancer. HPV 6 and 11 cause most genital warts.
High-risk HPV
High-risk types can cause abnormal cell changes. If the infection lasts for years, those changes may develop into cancer. HPV 16 and 18 are the best-known high-risk types.
How Does HPV Spread?
HPV can spread through vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex, and close genital skin-to-skin contact. A person can pass HPV even if they do not have symptoms, visible bumps, or warts. This is one reason HPV is so common and why it can be difficult to know when or from whom someone got it. Condoms and barriers can lower the chance of HPV transmission, but they do not fully prevent HPV because HPV can affect areas not covered by a condom.
HPV Symptoms
Most people with HPV have no symptoms.
When symptoms do happen, they may include genital warts. These can appear as small bumps or groups of bumps around the genitals or anus. They may be raised, flat, small, large, or cauliflower-like.
High-risk HPV usually does not cause visible symptoms. A person can have high-risk HPV and feel completely normal. In many cases, the first sign may be an abnormal Pap test, HPV test, or cancer screening result.
You should see a healthcare provider if you notice unusual bumps, growths, sores, bleeding, pain, or changes around your genitals, anus, mouth, or throat.
What Cancers Can HPV Cause?
HPV is best known for its connection to cervical cancer, but it can affect people of all genders. Long-lasting infection with high-risk HPV can cause cancer in areas where HPV infects cells. These include the cervix, anus, penis, vulva, vagina, and oropharynx, which includes the back of the throat, tonsils, and base of the tongue.
In the United States, HPV is estimated to cause:
| Cancer type | Estimated percentage caused by HPV |
|---|---|
| Cervical cancer | 91% |
| Anal cancer | 91% |
| Vaginal cancer | 75% |
| Oropharyngeal/throat cancer | 70% |
| Vulvar cancer | 69% |
| Penile cancer | 63% |
This does not mean every HPV infection becomes cancer. Most HPV infections clear naturally. Cancer risk increases when a high-risk HPV infection persists for years and causes abnormal cell changes.
HPV and Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer is the cancer most strongly associated with HPV.
High-risk HPV infection is considered necessary for the development of cervical cancer, but HPV infection alone does not mean someone will get cancer. Most infections go away on their own.
HPV 16 and HPV 18 are the two most important cervical cancer-linked types. Together, they cause the majority of cervical cancers worldwide.
This is why routine cervical cancer screening is important. Pap tests can find abnormal cell changes before they become cancer. HPV tests can detect high-risk HPV types that may lead to cervical cancer over time.
HPV and Throat Cancer
HPV can also cause oropharyngeal cancer, which affects the back of the throat, including the tonsils and base of the tongue.
This is one reason HPV education matters for everyone, not just people with a cervix. HPV can affect the mouth and throat after oral sex, and many people do not realize HPV is connected to throat cancer.
There is currently no approved routine HPV test to check the mouth or throat for HPV.
Can You Test for HPV?
HPV testing can be confusing because there is no single test that tells someone their complete “HPV status.”
HPV tests are mainly used as part of cervical cancer screening. They are not generally used to screen men, adolescents, or people under age 30.
There is also no approved HPV test to check for HPV in the mouth or throat.
Because HPV can be silent, routine checkups and recommended cervical cancer screenings are important for people with a cervix.
Is There Treatment for HPV?
There is no treatment for the HPV virus itself. However, the health problems HPV can cause are treatable. Genital warts can be treated by a healthcare provider or with prescription medication. Cervical precancer can also be treated when found through routine screening and follow-up care.
If you have symptoms, abnormal screening results, or questions about HPV, talk to a healthcare provider.
The HPV Vaccine: What It Protects Against
The HPV vaccine is one of the most effective tools for preventing HPV-related cancers and genital warts.
In the United States, the HPV vaccine currently used is Gardasil 9. It protects against nine HPV types:
6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58
These include:
HPV 6 and 11
These cause most genital warts.
HPV 16 and 18
These cause the majority of cervical cancers and many other HPV-related cancers.
HPV 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58
These are additional high-risk cancer-linked HPV types.
The vaccine works best before someone is exposed to HPV, which is why it is routinely recommended at ages 11–12 and can be started as early as age 9.
Catch-up vaccination is recommended through age 26 for people who were not adequately vaccinated earlier. Some adults ages 27 through 45 may still choose vaccination after talking with a healthcare provider.
The HPV vaccine does not treat an existing HPV infection, genital warts, precancer, or cancer. It helps prevent future infection with the HPV types covered by the vaccine.
How Much Cancer Can the HPV Vaccine Prevent?
The HPV vaccine can prevent more than 90% of cancers caused by HPV.
That matters because HPV is linked to thousands of cancer cases every year. HPV-related cancers can affect the cervix, anus, penis, vagina, vulva, and throat.
Vaccination is not just about preventing genital warts. It is cancer prevention.
How to Lower Your HPV Risk
You can lower your risk by:
- Getting the HPV vaccine.
- Using condoms or barriers during sex.
- Keeping up with recommended cervical cancer screening.
- Talking openly with partners about sexual health.
- Avoiding sex when genital warts are present.
- Limiting exposure to new HPV types when possible.
- Tracking testing, reminders, and sexual health information privately.
HPV and Shame
HPV is extremely common. Having HPV does not mean someone is dirty, irresponsible, or unsafe. Many people get HPV from a partner who had no symptoms and did not know they had it. Because HPV can be silent and spread through skin-to-skin contact, it is not always possible to know when someone got it. The goal is not shame. The goal is awareness, prevention, screening, and care.
How KISS Helps
KISS is designed to make sexual health easier, more private, and less awkward.
With KISS, you can:
- Track sexual encounters privately.
- Set testing and medication reminders.
- Keep sexual health information organized.
- Access STI education without shame.
- Notify partners anonymously when needed.
- Stay proactive about your sexual health without exposing your identity.
Sexual health should feel empowering, not embarrassing. KISS gives you the tools to stay informed, protected, and in control.
HPV FAQ
Is HPV the same as herpes?
No. HPV and herpes are different viruses. HPV is human papillomavirus. Herpes is caused by herpes simplex virus, also known as HSV.
Can HPV go away?
Yes. In many cases, HPV goes away on its own within two years. Some infections can last longer and may need monitoring or follow-up care.
Can HPV cause cancer?
Yes. Some high-risk HPV types can cause cancer over time, including cervical, anal, penile, vaginal, vulvar, and throat cancers.
Does everyone with HPV get cancer?
No. Most HPV infections clear naturally and never become cancer. Cancer risk is mainly connected to persistent infection with high-risk HPV types.
Which HPV types cause cancer?
The most important high-risk types include HPV 16 and HPV 18. Other cancer-linked types include HPV 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58.
Which HPV types cause genital warts?
HPV 6 and HPV 11 cause most genital warts.
Can condoms prevent HPV?
Condoms can lower the chance of getting HPV, but they do not fully prevent HPV because HPV can affect skin not covered by a condom.
Can men get HPV?
Yes. Anyone who is sexually active can get HPV. HPV can affect people of all genders.
Can men get cancer from HPV?
Yes. HPV can cause anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers. Oropharyngeal cancer affects the back of the throat, tonsils, and base of the tongue.
Can you have HPV with no symptoms?
Yes. Most people with HPV never develop symptoms and may not know they have it.
Is there an HPV test for men?
There is no general approved HPV test for men. HPV testing is mainly used in cervical cancer screening.
Can you test for oral HPV?
There is currently no approved routine HPV test for the mouth or throat.
Does the HPV vaccine treat HPV?
No. The HPV vaccine does not treat an existing HPV infection. It helps prevent future infections with the HPV types covered by the vaccine.
Should I get the HPV vaccine?
If you are not vaccinated, ask a healthcare provider whether the HPV vaccine is recommended for you. It is routinely recommended for younger people and may be considered for some adults ages 27 through 45.
Take Control of Your Sexual Health
HPV is common. Shame does not help. Knowledge does.
Download KISS to track encounters, set reminders, learn about STIs, and manage your sexual health privately.