Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 150 viruses, about 40 of which are typically transmitted from person to person during intimate, or sexual, contact.
Sexually transmitted HPV infections are very common and can affect both men and women. In fact, in 2018, more than 42 million Americans were infected with HPV, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and about 13 million became newly infected that year.
Most of the time, HPV is harmless and goes away on its own. But because some HPV types can cause genital warts — and others can cause changes in cells that can eventually develop into cancer — it’s important to protect yourself against HPV transmission. These eight strategies may help.
Get the HPV Vaccine to Prevent HPV-Related Cancers and Genital Warts
The HPV vaccine Gardasil 9 protects against the types of HPV that cause most cases of cervical cancer, as well as HPV-related anal, vaginal, vulvar, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers — cancers of the soft palate, base of the tongue, and tonsils. Gardasil 9 also protects against most genital warts.
The CDC recommends that all adolescents be vaccinated at age 11 or 12, before any likely exposure to sexually transmitted strains of HPV. But the vaccine is approved for everyone ages 9 to 45, and the CDC also recommends that teens and adults up to age 26 get vaccinated if they didn’t receive all recommended doses of the vaccine at a younger age.
Practice Abstinence
The only 100 percent effective way to prevent HPV transmission is abstinence from any sexual contact, including oral, anal, and vaginal sex. You may decide to abstain from sex if you’re not in a committed relationship, if you’re in a relationship but don’t feel ready to have sex, or for any other reason.
For many adults, though, complete abstinence is not a realistic or desired option. If that’s the case for you, there are other effective ways — including the suggestions listed here — to help prevent HPV from infecting you and your sexual partners.
Don't Start Having Sex Too Young
The younger you are when you start having sex, the greater your risk for acquiring an HPV infection if you’re exposed to the virus. The age group with the highest prevalence of HPV infection is 15 to 25 years old. There’s no way to know for sure whether a prospective partner — especially one who is known to be sexually experienced — has HPV.
If you’re going to have sex at a young age, the best way to protect yourself is to get vaccinated first. The HPV vaccine is given in two or three doses, generally over 6 to 12 months. You can also lower your risk for HPV by using condoms from start to finish during any sexual encounter.
Ideally, you and your partner should be honest with one another about your respective sexual histories. But keep in mind that anyone can have HPV and transmit the virus to a partner, even without any signs or symptoms of infection.
At Any Age, Limit Your Number of Sexual Partners
Another HPV prevention strategy is to limit the number of sexual partners you have. The more sexual partners, the more possible exposure you have to HPV. But even one sexual partner who has been exposed to HPV is enough to infect you. And the more partners your partner has had, the higher your risk.
Some studies suggest that refraining from sexual activity for several months before having sex with a new partner may reduce your risk of HPV transmission. The risk is lowered because that amount of time allows any HPV infection that is present in you or your potential partner to clear.
According to study results published in October 2018 in the journal Women’s Health, 64 to 80 percent of HPV infections in women cleared within 6 months and 64 to 76 percent cleared within 12 months. Those percentages were comparable to viral clearance rates seen in earlier studies, the authors said.
Use Condoms for Every Sexual Encounter
If you are sexually active, using condoms can help lower the risk of HPV transmission. It is important to use a condom from start to finish of every sex act, including oral and anal sex. HPV is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. Because HPV can infect areas that are not covered by the condom, condoms will not fully protect you against HPV, but condoms do help in HPV prevention. Never reuse a condom, and use a new condom for every new type of sexual activity within a single span of time — for example, if you switch from oral sex to vaginal sex.
For Men, Don’t Rely on Circumcision to Lower Your Risk
A variety of studies have shown that men who are circumcised have a lower risk of HPV infection than those who are not, and their risk of infecting their female sexual partners is also lower.
On the other hand, a study presented at the May 2017 annual meeting of the American Urological Association found that almost half of a national sample of 1,502 American men tested positive for HPV on a penile swab, and circumcised men were twice as likely to have a high-risk, cancer-causing form of HPV.
Since circumcision alone cannot provide a guarantee against HPV infection, parents should still get their sons vaccinated against HPV, regardless of circumcision status. Sexually active men should also take appropriate precautions to avoid getting infected with HPV. Since the HPV vaccine is now approved for men through age 45, more men can take this step to protect their sexual health.
Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle to Strengthen Your Immune System
While no particular diet has been shown to prevent HPV infection or the cancers associated with HPV, there is evidence that following a healthy, plant-based diet high in naturally occurring vitamins and minerals strengthens the immune system and may be protective against developing at least some cancers.
Follow a healthy diet — one that is low in saturated fat and sugars and rich in fruits and vegetables. Also get regular exercise, don’t smoke, and don’t drink alcohol in excess. Keeping your body in good shape helps boost your immune system, and a healthy immune system is better able to fight off infections.
For Women, Get Screened to Catch Precancerous Changes Early
In some women, HPV infection leads to cervical dysplasia, or abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix. Cervical dysplasia can develop into cervical cancer, but early detection and treatment can help prevent that from happening.
Two tests are used to screen for cervical dysplasia or the presence of HPV infection of the cervix:
- The Pap test involves collecting cells from the cervix and examining them under a microscope to look for abnormalities.
- The HPV test similarly involves collecting cells from the cervix, but checks for the virus itself rather than abnormal cells.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that women ages 25 to 65 get a primary HPV test — one that’s approved for stand-alone use, without a Pap test — every five years. If a primary HPV test is not available, then the ACS recommends getting a Pap test along with an HPV test every five years, or just a Pap test every three years.
The ACS guidelines are similar to those of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, which recommends Pap tests every three years through age 29 and HPV testing every five years starting at age 30 in women with a healthy immune system and average risk of cervical cancer.
If you’re not sure which type of screening is right for you, speak to your doctor. The most important thing is to get screened, so that potential health problems can be identified and addressed early.
Additional reporting by Quinn Phillips.
Jane Yoon Scott, MD
Medical Reviewer
Jane Yoon Scott, MD, is an infectious disease physician and an assistant professor of medicine at Emory University in Atlanta. Dr. Scott enjoys connecting with her patients, empowering them to understand and take ownership of their health, and encouraging them to ask questions so that they can make informed and thoughtful decisions.
She graduated with the highest honors from the Georgia Institute of Technology, then received her MD from the Medical College of Georgia. She completed her internal medicine residency training and chief residency at Temple University Hospital, as well as a fellowship in infectious diseases at Emory University. She is board-certified in both internal medicine and infectious diseases.
When she is not seeing patients, Dr. Scott works with neighboring health departments to promote public health, especially to communities that have been historically underserved. She also teaches medical trainees and lectures medical students at the Emory University School of Medicine.
In her free time, Dr. Scott appreciates a good coffee shop, weekend hikes, playing guitar, strolling through cities, sampling restaurants, and traveling to new places.
Beth W. Orenstein
Author
Beth W. Orenstein is a freelance writer for HealthDay, Radiology Today, the Living Well section of The American Legion Magazine, St. Luke’s University Health Network, and others. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Tufts University (1978), where she majored in English and was editor of the student newspaper for three years.
No matter the weather around her eastern Pennsylvania home, Orenstein either bikes 25 to 30 miles or walks at least 6 miles every day. Her one indulgence is blueberry pancakes — but only after biking a long distance.