Discussing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can feel embarrassing. It often doesn’t come up, but people still get sick from them. Protect your health and care for yourself by learning about the human papillomavirus (HPV). This quick guide explains everything you need to know if you’re sexually active.

1. Most People Have Had It

People don’t tend to admit if they’ve had an STI before, so it may surprise you that HPV is a common infection. Experts estimate that 75% of reproductive-age people have contracted HPV, but they might not know it.

HPV symptoms rarely arise. There are over 100 strains of HPV, but only a few cause genital warts. The lack of symptoms makes people believe that HPV is harmless, but that’s another social construct based on a lack of information. Many people will never know they have it, but there’s a chance HPV strains could develop into rare cancerous growths.

2. You Should Get Tested Regularly

Even with the slight chance of symptoms or HPV-related cancer, getting tested for it is still vital. Your doctor will know how frequently that should happen based on factors like how often you’re sexually active, how many partners you have and if you use protection. If you’re in the UK, this is part of your smear test from the age of 25 and is free of charge.

It’s essential to note that preventative testing is much easier and more affordable with health insurance. Instead of paying out of pocket each time, your insurance could make the testing free of charge. Compare quotes to find if you qualify for tax credits that lower premiums so you don’t spend more than your budget allows. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires health insurers to cover HIV testing for adolescents and adults, which makes it low to zero-cost for anyone to access preventative tests when needed.

3. HPV Can Cause Cancer

High-risk HPV strains are minimal in number but cause 3% of cancer in cisgender women and 2% of cancer in cisgender men. Don’t trust that non-existent HPV symptoms mean that your health is safe. Get tested as often as your doctor recommends. You could potentially catch cervical, penile, anal or oropharyngeal cancer early enough to treat it.

4. It Lingers for Two Years

HPV in cisgender and transgender men and women acts the same way. The non-cancerous strains typically clear out of the body in one to three years without causing symptoms. Testing will reveal if you have it but not when you contracted it. 

5. It Has Easily Accessible Treatments

If you test positive and have no symptoms, your doctor won’t have any treatment options. You’ll likely receive advice for having protected sex and letting partners know you have it to obtain their full consent before future sexual activity.

If you are positive for HPV and develop genital warts, topical creams are available to make them go away. HPV in cisgender women results in warts more often than in cisgender men, although the reason isn’t clear.

In the rare cases when HPV develops into cervical cancer, treatments like chemotherapy and surgery exist. However, most people will only need over-the-counter remedies if they have symptoms at all.

6. There’s an Effective Vaccine

Cisgender women often hear that they need the HPV vaccine because the virus is so commonly associated with cervical cancer. However, HPV in cisgender men can cause cancer too.

The HPV vaccine effectively protects cisgender men and women against the various cancers caused by the virus. Doctors mostly recommend it to people younger than 26, but you can talk about the benefits with your primary care physician if you’re older than 26 and still haven’t received the vaccine.

Your health insurance may cover telehealth visits and pay for testing. Coverage could also include your vaccine doses. Look into the many benefits available with whichever plan you choose to get the most assistance with your health care needs.

Become More Knowledgeable About HPV

Now that you’ve read about HPV symptoms and potential cancers, protecting your health will be easier. Discuss getting the vaccine with your doctor to receive the best protection possible. You can also determine how often you should get preventive testing based on your age and lifestyle.

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Beth, the Managing Editor and content manager at Body+Mind, is well-respected in the mental health, nutrition and fitness spaces. In her spare time, Beth enjoys cooking and going for runs with her dog.