Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptoms and DiagnosisEmotional ImpactPhysical ImpactSocial ImpactSex and RelationshipsCaregiving

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Emotional Impact

Physical Impact

Social Impact

Sex and Relationships

Caregiving

Close

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of sexually transmitted infections that are so common that almost everyone will have this type of infection at some point.While some people never know they have it, others develop physical symptoms like genital warts.

If you’ve been diagnosed with the HPV virus, it can help to understand what to expect. Learn the emotional, physical, and social impacts of HPV, along withhow to approach the subject with a partner—and what to do if your partner has been diagnosed with HPV.

HPV Symptoms and Diagnosis

There are more than 150 types of HPV.Some are mild and show no signs, resolving on their own within a couple of years. Others cause genital warts or abnormal cell changes that can lead to the development of cervical cancer.

If you come in contact with the HPV virus, it could take weeks, months, or even years before you exhibit any symptoms.

The American Cancer Society recommends that individuals with a cervix be screened with an HPV test between 25 and 65 years of age.This test is used to look for forms of the virus more likely to cause cancer and can be performed at the same time as a Pap test.

While HPV itself cannot be treated, its symptoms (like genital warts) and effects (such as cellular changes and even cancer) can be positively impacted with treatment.If you’re living with HPV, it’s helpful to understand how this may impact you and your relationships.

Emotional Impact of Living With HPV

Getting a diagnosis of HPV can take a toll emotionally. Some people withdraw socially and exhibitsymptoms of anxiety and depressionover their diagnosis. Yet, it’s important to remember that someone with HPV can go on to live a regular life.

Having a sexually transmitted infection can also impact you emotionally since it may affect future romantic relationships. But this doesn’t mean you won’t be able to haveloving and committed relationships. It just means that you need to find a way to share that you are living with HPV with any romantic partners you have.

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Physical Impact of Living With HPV

Protecting Yourself and Others

Social Impact of Living With HPV

Being diagnosed with HPV is nothing to be ashamed about. Remember: most sexually active people have been exposed to the virus at some point in their lives.

Understandably, an HPV diagnosis can cause some anxiety, so it’s crucial tofind a support systemto lean on. You may choose to open up about your condition to family and friends, or you couldjoin a local support groupfor people living with HPV.

Resources and OrganizationsOrganizations like theNational Cervical Cancer Coalitionand theAmerican Sexual Health Associationare likely to have a support group you could join in your community or a community next to yours. You can also reach out to theNational HPV Vaccination RoundtableorHPVandMefor additional support.

Resources and Organizations

Organizations like theNational Cervical Cancer Coalitionand theAmerican Sexual Health Associationare likely to have a support group you could join in your community or a community next to yours. You can also reach out to theNational HPV Vaccination RoundtableorHPVandMefor additional support.

Sex and Relationships With HPV

If you’ve been diagnosed with HPV, you might be advised to abstain from sex for a while. Although using a condom can reduce the risk of transmission to your partner, it doesn’t eliminate it.

While it can be a difficult conversation to have, depending on your situation, your physician may advise that you inform your partner of your diagnosis. This enables them to check in with their healthcare provider to learn if the virus has been passed to them.

Having a partner who has been diagnosed with HPV doesn’t necessarily mean that they havebeen unfaithful to you. If the virus is transmitted to you from a partner, keep in mind that they most likely didn’t know they were living with the infection and had no intention of infecting you.

It’s essential to haveopen and honest conversationsabout your sexual health and sexual history with your partner. It’s also vital to get routinely checked for sexually transmitted infections and diseases.

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Helping Others With HPV

If your partner or someone you know is having a hard time after being diagnosed with HPV, there are some things you can do to help. For instance, it’s common for someone with a sexually transmitted infection (STI) tofeel shame.Remind them that you are there for them emotionally and that there’s nothing to be ashamed of.

It’s also common for someone with an STI to feel guilt, embarrassment, or a fear of stigma.Encourage them to open up to you about any feelings and struggles they might have about their diagnosis. If they’ve joined a support group, you could also attend meetings with them.

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7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV infection.American Cancer Society.HPV and HPV testing.World Health Organization.Cervical cancer.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV fact sheet.Lugović-Mihić L, Cvitanović H, Djaković I, Kuna M, Šešerko A.The influence of psychological stress on HPV infection manifestations and carcinogenesis.Cell Physiol Biochem. 2021;55(S2):71-88. doi:10.33594/000000395Scheinfeld E.Shame and STIs: An exploration of emerging adult students' felt shame and stigma towards getting tested for and disclosing sexually transmitted infections.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(13):7179. doi:10.3390/ijerph18137179Gallo MF, Margolis AD, Malotte CK, et al.Sexual abstinence and other behaviours immediately following a new STI diagnosis among STI clinic patients: Findings from theSafe in the Citytrial.Sex Transm Infect. 2016;92(3):206-10. doi:10.1136/sextrans-2014-051982

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV infection.American Cancer Society.HPV and HPV testing.World Health Organization.Cervical cancer.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV fact sheet.Lugović-Mihić L, Cvitanović H, Djaković I, Kuna M, Šešerko A.The influence of psychological stress on HPV infection manifestations and carcinogenesis.Cell Physiol Biochem. 2021;55(S2):71-88. doi:10.33594/000000395Scheinfeld E.Shame and STIs: An exploration of emerging adult students' felt shame and stigma towards getting tested for and disclosing sexually transmitted infections.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(13):7179. doi:10.3390/ijerph18137179Gallo MF, Margolis AD, Malotte CK, et al.Sexual abstinence and other behaviours immediately following a new STI diagnosis among STI clinic patients: Findings from theSafe in the Citytrial.Sex Transm Infect. 2016;92(3):206-10. doi:10.1136/sextrans-2014-051982

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV infection.American Cancer Society.HPV and HPV testing.World Health Organization.Cervical cancer.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV fact sheet.Lugović-Mihić L, Cvitanović H, Djaković I, Kuna M, Šešerko A.The influence of psychological stress on HPV infection manifestations and carcinogenesis.Cell Physiol Biochem. 2021;55(S2):71-88. doi:10.33594/000000395Scheinfeld E.Shame and STIs: An exploration of emerging adult students' felt shame and stigma towards getting tested for and disclosing sexually transmitted infections.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(13):7179. doi:10.3390/ijerph18137179Gallo MF, Margolis AD, Malotte CK, et al.Sexual abstinence and other behaviours immediately following a new STI diagnosis among STI clinic patients: Findings from theSafe in the Citytrial.Sex Transm Infect. 2016;92(3):206-10. doi:10.1136/sextrans-2014-051982

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV infection.

American Cancer Society.HPV and HPV testing.

World Health Organization.Cervical cancer.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.HPV fact sheet.

Lugović-Mihić L, Cvitanović H, Djaković I, Kuna M, Šešerko A.The influence of psychological stress on HPV infection manifestations and carcinogenesis.Cell Physiol Biochem. 2021;55(S2):71-88. doi:10.33594/000000395

Scheinfeld E.Shame and STIs: An exploration of emerging adult students' felt shame and stigma towards getting tested for and disclosing sexually transmitted infections.Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(13):7179. doi:10.3390/ijerph18137179

Gallo MF, Margolis AD, Malotte CK, et al.Sexual abstinence and other behaviours immediately following a new STI diagnosis among STI clinic patients: Findings from theSafe in the Citytrial.Sex Transm Infect. 2016;92(3):206-10. doi:10.1136/sextrans-2014-051982

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