• Vaginal Changes
• Infections
• STDs
• Sexual Health

Does HPV Go Away on its Own?

Medically reviewed and edited by Teena Harrison, DNP, FNP-BC

How Do You Know if You Have HPV?

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that affects both men and women. You can contract HPV through vaginal, anal, and oral sex with an infected person.

In most cases, HPV doesn’t cause any symptoms, so it can be difficult to know if you’ve been infected.

However, common strains of HPV usually cause warts on the genitals and surrounding areas.

The growths may be clustered or spread out and they may appear months after the initial infection.

It’s important to take note of any abnormal growths that may appear in the genital area. If you notice any, it’s recommended to seek medical attention right away to determine if you have HPV.

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Should You Get Treatment for HPV?

In many cases, HPV doesn’t require treatment because the immune system is usually strong enough to clear the infection on its own.

However, if you have physical symptoms — such as growths on your genitals — your health care provider will likely recommend treatment.

This may include topical wart remedies or, in severe cases, surgical procedures to remove abnormal tissue.

HPV vaccination is also an effective way to prevent the virus from causing serious health complications like certain types of cancer to develop.

The HPV vaccine is most effective if it’s administered before a person becomes sexually active but it also works if you receive it after overcoming an infection.

Your health care provider may also recommend regular checkups as a form of treatment because it helps to monitor your infection status.

Women who developed genital warts caused by precancerous cells may also be encouraged to go for a cervical cancer screening more regularly.

How Do You Know When an HPV Infection Has Cleared?

There is currently no way to be completely sure that HPV infections have cleared up.

Usually, the best sign of a resolved infection is that the warts or growths have disappeared.

If you have abnormal growths on your reproductive organs, your health care provider will recommend follow-up testing to monitor the cells.

How Long Does it Take for HPV to Go Away?

The amount of time it takes for HPV to clear usually varies depending on the strain of the virus you’ve been infected with.

If you have a weakened immune system, it may also take longer to overcome an HPV infection.

Common strains of HPV are usually cleared completely within two years. However, some strains can cause infections that last for many months.

A persistent HPV infection can also lead to more serious health problems like developing certain types of cancer.

It’s recommended to keep an eye on your HPV symptoms -- if any —- and speak to your health care provider if they worsen or don’t improve.

Can an HPV Infection Come Back?

It’s possible for a genital HPV infection to become dormant and reactivate again later.

This can be triggered by a weakened immune system or during significant hormonal changes — like when you become pregnant.

If you contracted HPV while suffering from a weakened immune system already, the chances of reinfection are also high.

This is mainly because the body would not have been able to eliminate the virus completely in the first place.

It’s important to note any abnormal changes around the genital area to help you determine if you’ve been reinfected — especially if you’ve had HPV before.

Can You Be Sexually Active After You’ve Had HPV?

Although it can be difficult to determine if you’ve completely overcome an HPV infection, it’s generally considered safe to be sexually active if your physical symptoms have cleared.

However, after you’ve been infected with HPV, it’s especially important to practice safe sex. This includes consistently using condoms and other barrier methods to protect yourself.

HPV strains can become dormant in the body, but there is still a risk of transmitting the STI to your partner.

It’s also recommended to have regular checkups and screenings after your HPV infection to monitor your status and make sure that you are healthy.

Where Can I Learn More About HPV and Other Related Diseases?

If you are concerned about HPV or suspect that you have been exposed to the virus, you can speak to a board-certified physician or nurse practitioner from the comfort of your home.

Head over to LifeMD to schedule a telehealth appointment.

Teena Harrison, DNP, FNP-BC

Teena graduated with a Master of Science Degree from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida and earned her Doctoral Degree from Touro University in Henderson, NV. Teena has been practicing for 25 years in various healthcare arenas including Family Practice, Urgent Care, and Geriatrics. She is board certified in Family Medicine. Teena is a devoted and compassionate medical professional whose daily goal is to provide quality care while ensuring her patients feel truly listened to and at ease during their time with her. She believes in treating the whole person — not just the diagnosis — and is committed to actively involving her patients in the development of their treatment plan. Teena currently lives in Winston Salem, NC with her dog Nacho Cheese and enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren. She is also a member of ASPCA and is involved in animal rescue.

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