Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Most people infected with HPV will experience no symptoms at all, and the infection will only be identified as a result of a routine cervical screening. This means that in most cases, the virus is passed from person to person without any knowledge.

When symptoms do occur, they depend on the type of HPV.

Low-risk HPV may cause:

• small, flesh-coloured or grey growths (warts) in the genital or anal area

• warts that may be flat or raised

• itching or mild discomfort

• bleeding during sex (rare)

Warts can appear weeks, months, or even years after infection.

High-risk HPV usually causes no symptoms in its early stages, which is why routine screening is so important. If high-risk HPV leads to cell changes over time, symptoms may develop later, depending on the area affected. These can include:

• unusual vaginal bleeding, such as bleeding after sex or between periods

• persistent pelvic pain

• pain during sex

• unusual discharge

• persistent sore throat or hoarseness (in head and neck cancers)

• lumps, ulcers, or skin changes that do not heal

It’s important to remember that these symptoms are often caused by conditions other than cancer. However, they should always be checked by a specialist.

HPV is caused by infection with the human papillomavirus. It can be spread through:

• vaginal, anal, or oral sex

• close genital-to-genital contact

• sharing sex toys without properly cleaning them or using a condom

• rarely, from mother to baby during childbirth

Condoms reduce the risk of passing on HPV, but they do not provide full protection because HPV can affect areas of skin that are not covered by a condom.

HPV is extremely common, but certain factors increase your risk of infection or complications, including:

• having multiple sexual partners

• starting sexual activity at a younger age

• not using barrier protection (although doing so does not provide 100% protection)

• having a weakened immune system

• smoking, which reduces the body’s ability to clear the virus

Even if you’ve had only 1 sexual partner, you can still be infected with HPV. The virus can also remain inactive for years before being detected, making it nearly impossible to pinpoint when initial exposure to HPV took place.

HPV is diagnosed via cervical screening. This is where a small sample of cells is taken from the cervix to be tested.

For women and people with a cervix in the UK, HPV testing is part of the NHS cervical screening programme. All women aged 25 to 64 are invited for cervical screening every 5 years.

At Welbeck, we offer cervical screening without a referral in a calm, relaxed, and patient-focused environment. We recommend private cervical screening to patients seeking more frequent monitoring outside of the standard NHS guidelines, faster results, and flexible appointment times. 

After a screening test at Welbeck, it will take about a week for your results to become available. If your result is negative, your consultant will advise you when it’s best to have your next screening. If your result is positive, they’ll arrange a follow-up consultation to discuss the details of your results and what the next steps are, which may involve regular monitoring (further screenings), a colposcopy, a biopsy, or treatment. 

It’s important to remember that a positive HPV result does not mean that you have cancer.

There’s no routine test for HPV in men without symptoms. 

HPV is very common, and it is not always possible to prevent infection. 

However, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk, including:

• having the HPV vaccine

• attending regular cervical screening appointments

• using condoms during sex (although this does not offer full protection as the skin around the genitals is not covered)

• using a condom to cover shared sex toys and properly cleaning them

• limiting the number of sexual partners you have

• stopping smoking if you smoke

The HPV vaccine is offered to young people in the UK and protects against the types of HPV most likely to cause cancer and genital warts. It’s most effective when administered before you become sexually active, but it can still offer protection after this time.

Cervical screening remains essential, even if you’ve had the vaccine.

In most people, the immune system clears HPV naturally within 2 years, without causing any symptoms or complications. 

However, persistent infection with high-risk HPV can cause abnormal cell changes. Over time, these changes may develop into cancer if not detected and treated.

If you are diagnosed with HPV, it’s important not to feel alarmed. Only a small number of people with high-risk HPV develop cancer, and this usually develops slowly over many years. Having regular screening and treating abnormal cells early greatly reduces this risk.

If you experience genital warts, these can sometimes recur after being treated. This doesn’t mean treatment has failed, but that the virus may still be present in surrounding skin.

There’s currently no treatment available to eliminate the HPV infection. Many people with HPV also don’t require any treatment, only regular monitoring.

In cases where treatment is needed, it will focus on managing any symptoms or treating abnormal cell changes. Your Welbeck consultant will create a personalised plan based on your diagnosis, age, general health, and preferences. 

Treatment options may include:

• topical creams or solutions for genital warts

• cryotherapy (a freezing treatment) to remove warts

• minor surgical removal of warts

• laser treatment

• loop excision or other procedures to remove abnormal cells from the cervix

• surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy if cancer is diagnosed

At Welbeck, our consultant gynaecologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our specialists are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem, if required, to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof. 

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Get in touch today to book an appointment.