Does HPV Go Away on Its Own?

You’ve probably heard of human papillomavirus (HPV) and for good reason: It’s the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Experts estimate that 8 out of 10 sexually active people will get HPV. And the CDC even says “almost every sexually active person will get HPV” if they don’t get vaccinated. 

So does that mean you’re definitely going to get HPV if you’re sexually active? And if you do get HPV, are you automatically at risk for developing genital warts and cancer? The answer to both questions is: not necessarily. That’s because HPV can go away on its own. 

What is HPV?

HPV is a virus that spreads from person to person through skin contact. Some types of HPV pass through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

There’s more than 200 kinds of HPV and many of them are harmless. A couple of HPV strains cause things like plantar and common warts. These strains aren’t STIs because people are exposed to them through regular skin-to-skin contact, not through sex.

The strains of HPV that get the most attention are the ones that cause genital warts and cancer. These strains of HPV are passed from person to person through sexual activity, so they are considered STIs. The strains that lead to cancer are sometimes called “high-risk HPV” to separate them from the strains that only cause genital warts.

What are the symptoms of HPV? 

Most people with HPV don’t have any symptoms, even if they have high-risk HPV. That’s because it takes years for people with high-risk HPV to develop cancer. And, even then, many people don’t notice any changes until their cancer is advanced. 

People with the strain of HPV that cause genital warts may notice bumps around their vagina, penis, scrotum, or anus. The bumps are usually white or flesh-colored and painless.  

Even when people don’t have symptoms, they can still pass HPV to others. That’s why the virus is able to pass so easily from person to person. 

Does HPV go away without treatment?

The good news is that HPV can go away without treatment. Studies show that 90% of HPV infections go away within 2 years, including those caused by high-risk strains of the virus. In these cases, the immune system is able to completely fight off the virus and people don’t get sick. 

But there is some bad news. First, there’s no test that can tell you whether you’ll clear an HPV infection. So there’s no way to tell if you’re going to be in that 90% or not. And if you have a high-risk type of HPV and don’t clear it within 2 years, you are at a higher risk for developing cancer in the future.

Also, even if you are able to fight off the virus, you may get it again. Studies show that people don’t make many antibodies against HPV. So getting HPV once doesn’t protect you from getting it in the future or lower your chances of getting a high-risk strain. And it’s not clear whether people who were able to fight off the virus once will be able to do it again in the future. 

Can you get tested for HPV?

While there’s quick and easy tests for other STIs, there’s no simple test that can tell you if you have HPV.

Right now, the only recommended way to test for HPV is with cervical cancer screening (also known as a pap smear). This involves a healthcare provider using a swab to collect cells from the cervix. This sample then gets tested for HPV. 

There’s no approved way to test anal or mouth samples for HPV. But if you are concerned about having an HPV infection in your mouth, throat, or anus, talk to your healthcare provider about your screening options. There may be off-label methods your healthcare provider can recommend.

What can you do to keep yourself safe from HPV?

The most important thing you can do to protect yourself against HPV is to get the HPV vaccine. The HPV vaccine is recommended for everyone between the ages of 9 and 45 years old. 

It’s also a good idea to use condoms during all sexual activity. Condoms can decrease your risk of getting exposed to HPV and protect you from other STIs. 

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Jennifer Clements, MD, MSEd, NBHWC

Jennifer Clements, MD, MSEd, NBHWC, is a board-certified physician and health coach who is passionate about achieving optimal health through healthy lifestyles. Clements is a diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine and the American Board of Integrative Medicine.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

Reviewed by:

Adriena Beatty D.O., MBA, CPE

Adriena Beatty, DO, MBA, CPE, is an Army veteran and board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist with over 20 years of experience. She is a graduate from Tuskegee University with a degree in chemical engineering and chemistry.

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