Genital HPV: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Genital HPV?
A primary care doctor can often check for genital HPV and treat genital warts. A gynecologist, a doctor for the female reproductive system, does cervical cancer screening. A dermatologist, a skin doctor, or a urologist, a urinary system doctor, may also treat warts. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is genital HPV?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). There are many different types of HPV. Most do not cause any health problems, but some types can cause genital warts and cancers. HPV is a different virus than HIV and herpes.
Symptoms
Most people with HPV never develop symptoms or health problems from it. Some people find out they have HPV when they get genital warts. Warts are often painless. Sometimes they cause itching, burning, bleeding, or discomfort.
Genital warts usually look like a small bump or group of bumps in the genital area. They can be small or large, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower.
High-risk types of HPV that cause cell changes usually have no symptoms. If a high-risk infection lasts for many years and causes cell changes, you may have symptoms.
Causes and who gets it
You can get HPV by having vaginal, anal, or oral sex with someone who has the virus. It also spreads through close skin-to-skin touching during sex. A person with HPV can pass it on even when they have no signs or symptoms.
If you are sexually active, you can get HPV even if you have had sex with only one person. Symptoms can show up years after sex with someone who has the infection. Genital warts can rarely pass from a mother to her baby during childbirth.
How doctors diagnose it
A provider can usually diagnose genital warts by looking at them. There is no test to find out a person's HPV status. HPV tests are used to screen women aged 30 and older for cervical cancer. They are not recommended to screen men or adolescents.
Cervical cancer screening may include a Pap test, an HPV test, or both. An HPV test uses a sample of cervical cells. A provider may also suggest a colposcopy, a closer look at the cervix, to check for abnormal cells.
Treatment
There is no treatment for the virus itself. But there are treatments for the health problems HPV can cause.
Genital warts can be treated with medicines you apply, or removed by freezing, burning or cutting them out. Warts can come back after treatment. If left untreated, warts may go away, stay the same, or grow.
Cell changes on the cervix, called precancer, can be treated. Women who get routine Pap tests and follow up as needed can find problems before cancer develops. Other HPV-related cancers are more treatable when found and treated early.
When to see a doctor
Talk to your provider if you notice warts, unusual growths, lumps, or sores in your genital area, mouth, or throat. HPV can cause cervical and other cancers, but cancer often takes years or even decades to develop. Routine cervical cancer screening for women aged 21 to 65 can prevent cervical cancer. Get screened even when you are pregnant.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. A direct primary care doctor can examine warts, talk about screening and the HPV vaccine, and order tests. They can also refer you to a gynecologist or a skin doctor if needed.
Common questions
Does HPV go away on its own?
Yes, in most cases. In 9 out of 10 cases, HPV goes away on its own within two years without health problems. When HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer.
Does genital HPV cause cancer?
Some types can. High-risk HPV can cause cancers of the cervix, anus, vulva, vagina, penis and the back of the throat. The types that cause warts do not cause cancer.
Can the HPV vaccine prevent genital HPV?
It can help. The CDC says the HPV vaccine is safe and effective. Vaccines can protect against several types of HPV, including those that cause genital warts and some that can cause cancer. They give the most protection when given before exposure to the virus.
Do condoms protect against HPV?
Condoms help lower the chance of getting HPV, but not fully. Using condoms the right way every time can lower your chances of getting HPV. But HPV can infect areas the condom does not cover.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
