How does HPV spread?

HPV is an infection that can cause warts on various parts of the body. It’s spread through anal, vaginal, or oral sex, or through other sexual skin-on-skin contact.

Most people who get HPV don’t develop symptoms and the infection goes away without treatment. However, if HPV stays in your body, the virus can cause genital warts and lead to certain types of cancer.

Is there a test for HPV?

Currently, there is no test that can detect the presence of HPV in men. (There is a test for women.)

Since HPV can cause certain types of cancer, talk to your health care provider about getting a regular anal Pap smear—especially if you bottom.

Is there a cure for HPV?

There is no cure for HPV. However, if you develop warts caused by HPV, your provider can diagnose and remove the warts.

If you’re under the age of 26, there is a vaccine for you. Read on!

How do I prevent HPV?

The best way is to prevent HPV is to get vaccinated before becoming sexually active. The HPV vaccine is safe and effective—and is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control for people between the ages of 11 and 26 years.

If you’re under age 26 and have been sexually active, you can still get the vaccine since it may protect against certain strains of the virus.

If you’re over 26, the vaccine may not work since you may already have HPV. Most providers will not give this vaccine to people over age 26.

Using condoms can also help prevent transmission of HPV (as well as other STDs/STIs) but may not provide full protection since the virus can infect areas not covered by condoms.