Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers — yet it still causes many deaths worldwide. The primary reason is a common virus called Human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV is not just one virus but a group of more than 30 strains that can affect the genital area. While many of these strains are harmless and only cause mild issues like genital warts, a smaller group is considered high-risk HPV because of its potential to trigger precancerous changes and cervical cancer. This blog explains, in simple words, what HPV is, how it spreads during sexual contact, who is at higher risk, and — most importantly — the things women and couples can do to prevent cervical cancer.
What is HPV?
HPV is a group of viruses. Some types cause minor problems like warts on the skin or genitals. Other types — called high-risk HPV — can, over many years, cause changes in the cells of the cervix, vagina, or vulva that may become cancer. Most cervical cancers are linked to persistent infection with high-risk HPV types [1].
How Does HPV Spread? Understanding Sexual Transmission and Risk Factors
HPV spreads mainly by skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity: vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You can get HPV even if your partner has no symptoms — most people never know they carry the virus. Condoms reduce the risk but do not give complete protection because they don’t cover all genital skin. The best protection is vaccination, combined with regular screening.
HPV: High-Risk Groups
- Anyone sexually active can get HPV. It’s very common; most sexually active people will get at least one type of HPV at some point.
- Young people often eliminate HPV naturally — the immune system removes the virus in months to a couple of years. But when an infection persists (especially with high-risk types like HPV 16 and 18), it may cause cell changes leading to cancer over many years.
- Women living with HIV and people with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of persistent HPV and faster progression to cancer.
What Is the Connection Between HPV and Cervical Cancer?
Certain high-risk strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), most notably types 16 and 18, are strongly linked to cervical cell changes known as cervical dysplasia. If left untreated, these abnormal changes may progress to cervical cancer over time.
In most women under the age of 30, the body’s immune system eliminates HPV infections naturally. However, after the age of 30, a positive HPV result on a Pap smear (Pap test) becomes more clinically significant, as it helps in determining how frequently follow-up testing is required. Women with HPV positive may be advised to undergo more frequent screening. Regular cervical screening—starting at age 21 with Pap smears and, in some cases, HPV testing—is the most effective way to detect early changes before cancer develops. It is also important to remember that an HPV infection or cervical dysplasia does not automatically mean you will develop cancer. Still, it does highlight the need for close monitoring and preventive care.
HPV to Cervical Cancer: Understanding the Progression
This transformation is typically slow and can take 10–15 years or even longer, depending on individual risk factors such as immune health, smoking, and co-infections. The good news is that regular cervical cancer screening—through Pap smears and HPV testing—can identify these abnormal cells early, allowing timely treatment and preventing progression to cancer.
What Are the Complications of HPV?
The most significant complication of HPV infection is the potential development of cancer. Among HPV-related cancers, cervical cancer is the most common worldwide. Less frequently, persistent HPV infection can also lead to:
- Anal cancer
- Penile cancer
- Oropharyngeal (throat) cancer
- Vaginal cancer
- Vulvar cancer
HPV in Males: Risks and Health Effects
Although HPV often poses greater health risks for females, it can still affect males in essential ways. In men, HPV infection may cause genital warts, while most infections are cleared naturally by the immune system. In rare cases, persistent HPV can contribute to cancers of the penis, anus, throat, and other head and neck regions.
Unlike women, men are not routinely screened with Pap smears or HPV tests, as these cancers are uncommon and standardized screening guidelines for males are not currently established. However, HPV vaccination remains an effective preventive measure for reducing the risk of both genital warts and HPV-related cancers in men [2].
How Can a Woman Know If She Has an HPV Infection?
An important point to understand about HPV is that the majority of the infections remain asymptomatic in their early stages. A woman may carry the virus for years without being aware of it. In many cases, the body’s immune system can eliminate the infection naturally within one to two years.
However, there are specific ways to detect or suspect an HPV infection:
- Visible symptoms: Low-risk HPV strains can produce genital warts, typically presenting as flesh-colored or pink lesions. These are benign but may cause physical discomfort or emotional concern.
Types of Warts Caused by HPV
- Common Warts (Verruca vulgaris)
Appearance: Rough, raised, cauliflower-like growths.
Location: Usually on hands, fingers, around nails, elbows, and knees.
- Plantar Warts (Verruca plantaris)
Appearance: Hard, thickened lesions with black dots (thrombosed capillaries). Painful on walking.
Location: Soles of feet.
- Flat Warts (Verruca plana)
Appearance: Flat-topped, smooth, slightly raised, skin-colored or light brown.
Location: Face, neck, hands, wrists, legs (common in children and young adults).
- Filiform Warts
Appearance: Long, thin, thread-like projections.
Location: Around the mouth, nose, eyelids, chin, and neck.
- Genital Warts (Condyloma acuminata)
Appearance: Flesh-colored or pink, soft, cauliflower-like lesions.
Location: Genital and anal areas.
- Subungual and Periungual Warts
Appearance: Rough, irregular growths under or around the nails.
Location: Fingernails and toenails.
- Cervical changes: High-risk HPV infections are often clinically silent, yet they may induce subclinical changes in cervical epithelial cells; if persistent and undetected, these alterations can progress to high-grade precancerous lesions or invasive cervical carcinoma.
- Screening tests: The most reliable way for women to know if they have a high-risk HPV infection is through regular Pap smear tests (a screening test that collects cells from the cervix to detect precancerous or cancerous cell changes, primarily to prevent and diagnose cervical cancer) and HPV DNA testing. These tests can identify abnormal cell changes or detect the virus directly, even before symptoms appear.
- Other signs: In rare cases, advanced HPV-related disease may cause symptoms like unusual vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain, or pain during intercourse — but these usually appear much later.
That’s why regular gynecological check-ups and screenings are essential, even if a woman feels healthy and has no visible symptoms. Early detection through cervical screening is crucial, as it allows precancerous changes to be identified and treated before they progress to cervical cancer.
- Colposcopy:
If a Pap smear or HPV test shows abnormal results, your healthcare provider may recommend a colposcopy. This procedure uses a lighted instrument called a colposcope to magnify the cervix, allowing abnormal or suspicious cells to be clearly visualized. If needed, the provider may take a biopsy (a small tissue sample) during the procedure to check for precancerous changes or cervical cancer in the laboratory. - Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA):
In areas where Pap smears or HPV testing are not readily available, providers may use VIA as a low-cost screening method. During VIA, a vinegar-based solution (acetic acid) is applied to the cervix. Abnormal cells temporarily turn white when exposed to this solution, making them easier to identify for further evaluation or treatment [3].
Prevention — what actually works
Here are the three pillars of prevention:
HPV vaccination — the game changer
HPV vaccines protect against the common high-risk types that cause most cervical cancers. Extensive studies and reviews have shown significant drops in precancers and cancers where vaccination programs are effective. Vaccination is most effective when given before sexual activity starts (often recommended around ages 9–14), but older individuals may also benefit, depending on local guidelines [4].
Screening (Pap smear and HPV test)
Routine cervical screening facilitates the early detection of precancerous cellular alterations, enabling timely intervention and preventing progression to carcinoma. Although specific recommendations differ by region and age group, adherence to national guidelines remains vital [5].
Safer sex practices Using condoms and limiting the number of sexual partners lowers risk, but condoms do not completely prevent HPV because of skin contact in uncovered areas. Vaccination + screening remain central [5, 6]
Common Questions Couples Ask
Q: Can I have HPV and not know it?
Yes — most infections have no symptoms.
Q: Can HPV go away on its own?
Yes — many infections clear within 1–2 years. Persistent infections (especially with high-risk types) are the concern.
Q: If I get vaccinated, do I still need screening?
Yes. Vaccination significantly reduces risk but does not eliminate it. Screening is still recommended according to local guidelines.
Q: Can men get HPV? Can they pass it to partners?
Yes. Men can get HPV and pass it to partners. Vaccinating boys and young men helps reduce the spread of the virus in the community.
References
1. Baba, S.K., et al., Human papilloma virus (HPV) mediated cancers: an insightful update. Journal of Translational Medicine, 2025. 23(1): p. 483.
2. Patra, S., et al., HPV and male cancer: pathogenesis, prevention and impact. Journal of the Oman Medical Association, 2025. 2(1): p. 4.
3. Yanuarini, T.A., S. Mulyani, and V. Widyaningsih, Interventions to Improve the Uptake of Cervical Cancer Screening with Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid: A Scoping Review. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 2025. 26(8): p. 2755-2762.
4. Bandi, P., et al., Prevalence and review of major modifiable cancer risk factors, HPV vaccination, and cancer screenings in the United States: 2025 update. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, 2025. 34(6): p. 836-849.
5. Andaroon, N. and M.G. Gujani, Comparison of the Cost-Effectiveness of Pap Smear, HPV Testing, and HPV Vaccination in Cervical Cancer Prevention: A Narrative Review. Journal of Health Reports and Technology, 2025. 11(11): p. e163093.
6. Amarasena, W., S. Goonewardena, and D. Gamage, Penile HPV prevalence among high-risk men in SriLanka: Baseline insight for HPV preventionstrategies in a lower-middle-income country. 2025.
