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Most HPV infections go away on their own. If not, don’t worry. While there’s no cure for the virus, there are treatment options for the problems HPV can cause.

Want to get tested for HPV?

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What’s the treatment for high-risk HPV

There is no treatment for HPV itself, but if you have high-risk HPV, it could cause abnormal cell changes that might lead to cancer. If you have an abnormal Pap test result, you may need further tests and/or treatment including:

  • Colposcopy — a procedure to look more closely at the cervix to see if there are precancerous cells.

  • Cryotherapy — a treatment to freeze and remove precancerous cells from the cervix.

  • LEEP or Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure — a treatment to remove precancerous cells from the cervix with an electrical current.

Is HPV curable?

There’s no cure for HPV, but there are plenty of things you can do to stay healthy and safe, and it’s even preventable! There are vaccines that can prevent high-risk HPV types and the types that cause genital warts. Most of the time your body can fight off HPV before it causes any serious problems and before you’re even aware you have the infection. For the high-risk types of HPV that can eventually lead to cancer, finding abnormal cell changes through regular Pap tests and/or HPV tests is the best way you can prevent cervical cancer.

More questions from patients:

Can HPV be cured in men?

 There’s no cure for HPV, no matter what gender you are. However, with regular testing, your nurse or doctor can find abnormal cells in your cervix and treat them before they turn into cancer. And most HPV infections go away on their own and don’t cause any serious health problems. If you get genital warts from HPV, they can be treated and removed. 

You can get HPV and Pap tests at your doctor’s office, a community health clinic, local health department, or your local Planned Parenthood health center.

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