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What are the symptoms of HPV?
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Human papillomavirus (HPV): we saw the virus almost everyone will getHearing Spanish on YouTube? Tap ⚙ › Audio track › English
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Most of the time, none. HPV usually causes no symptoms, which is why it spreads without anyone knowing. When it does cause symptoms, they're usually genital warts, which come from low-risk types. The high-risk types, on the other hand, can't be felt. The changes they cause in the cervix are found through screening.
Why does HPV so often cause no symptoms at all?
In 9 out of 10 people the body controls the infection on its own, usually within a year or two. If a high-risk type persists for many years, it can change the cells of the cervix. Screening looks for those changes before they cause symptoms, when treating them can prevent cancer.
Are little bumps or itching outside the vulva symptoms of HPV?
Yes, HPV can cause warts on the outside of the vulva, and sometimes they itch or burn. They usually look like flesh-colored bumps, flat or shaped like cauliflower. Itching alone has many other causes, and the gynecologist who examines you is the one who puts the pieces together.
How long after infection does HPV start causing symptoms?
It varies a lot, and often nothing shows at all because the body clears the virus on its own. Warts can appear 6 weeks to 6 months after infection, or go unnoticed for years. Changes in the cervix can take years and can't be felt, which is why screening looks for them.
Where this comes from
This is educational content, meant to help you understand your body. It is not a medical consultation or a diagnosis, and it does not tell any particular person what to do. If something worries you, see a doctor you trust.