Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common STD and affects many people worldwide.

Many sexually active people get infected with this virus at some point in their lives, and some HPV types may cause cancers in people.

According to the WHO, HPV can cause up to 5% of cancer worldwide with thousands of women getting HPV-related cancers.

Thus, learning more about HPV in women is crucial for a better understanding of the condition and taking necessary steps for faster recovery.

This comprehensive article will elaborate on HPV symptoms, complications, treatment, and precautions in women.

Types of HPV in women

HPV is a small, non-enveloped DNA virus that infects the skin or mucosal cells of the body.

There are around 150 types of HPV. However, not all types lead to genital warts or cancer in people.

Human Papillomavirus can be classified into two categories depending on its association with cancer:

  • Low-risk HPV: HPV types do not show any symptoms and usually go away when the body boosts immunity, such as type 6, 11, 42, 43, and 44
  • High-risk HPV: These HPV can lead to serious cancer of the anus and penis in men, such as type 16 and 18

HPV symptoms in women

HPV can be asymptomatic in many cases and does not show symptoms in an infected female.

However, in some cases, it may show the following symptoms in women:

Non-genital warts

Warts on hand
Warts on hand

Some non-genital warts in women are as follows:

  • Common warts: Rough bumps that appear on hands and fingers that may cause pain and are susceptible to injury and bleeding
  • Plantar warts: These warts are generally grainy in texture and hard to touch. They appear on the feet and may cause discomfort
  • Flat warts: Flat warts are less-raised lesions and flat-topped. These can grow anywhere in the body, but women get them around the legs

Genital warts

Genital warts are small cauliflower-like, flat lesions or tiny stem-like possessions that appear on the genital region.

In women, these bumps are mostly around the vulva but can also appear near the anus, cervix, or vagina.

These genital warts may not cause discomfort or pain. However, it can lead to itchiness.

How do women get HPV infection

couple on bed holding hands
Sexual transmission

A woman can get HPV infection through the following ways:

  • Vaginal, oral, or anal sex
  • Close skin-to-skin contact with an infected person
  • During childbirth from mother to her child

However, according to the CDC, you can have HPV even if you had sex with one person.

The symptoms of infection may appear years later when you have sexual intercourse with an infected person.

Complications of HPV in women

High-risk HPV may cause cancer in women, such as:

Cervical Cancer

Cervical Cancer is the most common HPV-related cancer in women.

HPV types 16 and 18 accounts for up to 70% of all Cervical Cancer. 

Fact:
Nearly 99.7% of Cervical Cancers are caused by genital high-risk HPV types.

Vulvar Cancer

HPV can also lead to cancer of the vulva in women. The vulva is an outer part of the female genital area.

High-risk HPV types 16 and 18 can lead to Vulvar Cancer in women.

Vaginal Cancer

HPV can cause Vaginal Cancer in women.

As per Medline Plus, it is a rare type of cancer and is more common in women above 60 years or older.

Anal Cancer

HPV can lead to cancer of the anus in men and women.

There is no approved test for Anal Cancer. However, some physicians may recommend Anal Cytology Testing for screening of the disease. 

Mouth and throat Cancer

These types of cancers are also common in men and women.

Also, there is no screening test for the detection of Mouth and Throat Cancer. Still, many cancers can be detected with regular check-ups.

How to test for HPV in women

An HPV screening test can detect the presence of infection-causing pathogens that can lead to various cancers and genital warts.

The HPV test is only approved for cells from the cervix.

As per Mayo Clinic, if genital warts are invisible, the following tests can be performed on women:

  • Acetic acid solution test: In this test, in the infected area, vinegar is applied which may turn them white and help to find flat lesions
  • Pap test: A healthcare practitioner collects the cells from the cervix or vagina and sends them to the laboratories for the detection of pathogen
  • DNA test: This test is recommended for women 30 or older. It recognizes the DNA of the high-risk type of HPV 

HPV treatment for women

As per the Mayo Clinic, the warts may go away on their own after some time.

However, there is no permanent solution for the virus. It may reappear in the same place and may lead to infection.

A healthcare practitioner may prescribe the following medications for the treatment of HPV:

  • Salicylic acid: The prescribed medications with Salicylic acid may help remove the layers of warts
  • Imiquimod: This prescribed medication can help boost the immune system
  • Trichloroacetic acid: It can burn warts on the genitals and palm region
  • Podofilox: This medication is also effective in burning warts
Warning:
Self-prescribed medicines and topical creams may lead to serious side effects, such as itching, burning, and irritation. Consult a healthcare practitioner and take prescribed medicines for effective results.

A healthcare practitioner may also suggest some other surgical ways for the removal of warts, such as:

  • Cryotherapy (freezing warts with liquid Nitrogen)
  • Laser surgery (burning warts with an electric current)
  • Electrocautery
  • Surgical removal of warts

How to lower the chances of HPV

HPV-related cancers are preventable with effective strategies.

People can follow the given methods to decrease their chances of getting HPV infection:

Vaccinations

Vaccines and antibiotics serve different purposes in the body
Vaccinations

HPV vaccines are approved for both men and women and can effectively prevent infection.

Vaccines can prevent HPV-related cancer and other HPV types linked with genital and anal warts.

The vaccination must be given between the ages of 9 and 12.

Avoid sex with multiple barriers

Sexually active men should avoid having sex with many partners and people who have multiple sexual partners.

It can decrease the infection transmission from one infected person to a healthy individual.

Avoid having sex without barriers

Using condoms may be beneficial in limiting the transmission of infection-causing pathogens.

It cannot provide complete protection against HPV, as it cannot cover every possible infected area, such as genital or anal area.

Still, it can provide some protection against HPV with other STDs.

Conclusion

HPV in men may be classified under two categories, i.e., low-risk and high-risk HPV types, depending on their association with cancers.

Though HPV is an asymptomatic condition, it can show some non-genital warts, and genital warts in women as signs of infection.

A woman can acquire infection through vaginal, oral, and anal sex and close skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.

HPV can cause certain complications in women, such as Cervical Cancer, Vulvar Cancer and Vaginal Cancer.

Fortunately, the screening tests are approved for women and can be performed to identify flat lesions, pathogens, and DNA of high-risk HPV types.

Thus, depending on your condition, a healthcare practitioner can also prescribe medications for faster recovery.

Women can prevent it by getting vaccinated, and avoiding multiple sexual partners.

Also, on noticing serious symptoms, consult a healthcare practitioner and seek prompt medical intervention.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if a woman has HPV?

If a woman has HPV, she can notice various signs of infection, such as non-genital warts. This may include common, plantar, and flat warts. Some women can also get genital warts in the vulva, cervix, or vagina. It is important to consult a healthcare practitioner and seek medical treatment.

What is the HPV virus in women?

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common STI that infects many people worldwide. There are more than 150 types of HPV. It commonly causes non-genital and genital warts in women. However, some high-risk HPV types may cause cancers of the cervix, vagina and vulva in women.

What are the treatment options for HPV?

HPV can be treated in women, but there is no permanent cure for the virus. It may reappear in the same place and infect it again. However, you can take prescribed creams for destroying warts on hands, fingers, and genital region or immune system-boosting medicines.

Can HPV cause cancer in women?

Yes, high-risk HPV types can cause cancers in women. They can lead to cancer of the cervix, vagina, and vulva. Cervical Cancer is the most common HPV-related cancer in women. You can consult a healthcare practitioner and perform screening tests for the diagnosis of HPV pathogen and take treatment.

Citations:
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