Human Papillomavirus, or HPV, is an extremely common sexually transmitted infection that affects both men and women. Approximately 79 million Americans are currently afflicted with HPV (Human Papillomavirus), while around 14 million individuals get infected yearly. Given the high prevalence of this virus, it is crucial to understand the associated risks and sexual activity guidelines if you have HPV.
Firstly, it is important to understand what HPV is and how it is transmitted. HPV is a group of over 150 related viruses, with some strains causing genital warts and others causing various types of cancers, such as cervical, anal, and throat cancer. The virus is primarily propagated through direct skin contact, particularly during sexual intercourse. However, it can also be spread through non-sexual skin contact, including during delivery or through the sharing of personal items such as towels or razors.
The majority of HPV infections do not cause any symptoms and go away on their own within 1-2 years. However, some types of HPV can persist and lead to health problems, especially if left untreated. This is why it is important to understand how HPV can affect sexual activity.
Can You Have Sex When You Have HPV?
The short answer is yes, you can have sex when you have HPV. However, there are some important things to consider and precautions to take.
First and foremost, it is important to disclose your HPV status to your sexual partner(s). This not only allows for open and honest communication, but also allows your partner to make an informed decision about their own sexual health. If your partner is also infected with the same strain of HPV, there is no need for concern as they are already immune to that particular strain. However, it is still important to practice safe sex to prevent transmission of other strains of HPV or other STIs.
Secondly, it is important to understand the risks involved when engaging in sexual activity with HPV. As mentioned earlier, some types of HPV can lead to health problems, such as cervical, anal, and throat cancer. It is important to note that these types of cancer are rare and most people with HPV do not develop them. However, it is still important to get regular screenings and follow up with any abnormal results.
For those who have genital warts caused by HPV, it is important to avoid sexual activity until the warts are treated and gone. This not only reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to your partner, but also reduces the risk of spreading the warts to other areas of your body.
Precautions to Take
There are also some precautions that can be taken to reduce the risk of transmitting HPV during sexual activity.
The Use of Condoms:
To minimize the spread of HPV, utilizing condoms is a highly successful method, although they do not offer complete protection. Condoms, when used correctly and consistently with latex, can lower the risk of HPV transmission by approximately 70%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2021). This protection extends to oral, anal, and vaginal sex. However, it is essential to recognize that HPV can affect areas outside of condom coverage, such as the skin surrounding the genitals, hence condoms do not guarantee full protection against HPV.
HPV Vaccination:
Another precaution to take is to get vaccinated against HPV. The HPV vaccine is recommended for both males and females aged 11-26 and can protect against the types of HPV that are most commonly associated with cancer. The vaccine is highly effective in preventing HPV-related cancers, with a clinical trial showing that the vaccine reduced the prevalence of HPV types 16 and 18, which cause 70% of cervical cancer cases, by 93% (Szarewski et al., 2011). Furthermore, the vaccine can still protect individuals who have already been infected with HPV against other types of HPV. Therefore, even if you have already been infected with one type of HPV, it is still beneficial to get vaccinated to protect against other strains of the virus.
Conclusion
This does not mean that because one has HPV, they can never have any sexual relations again. However, you should tell your sexual partner and take precautions against the transmission of this virus. If you have genital warts from HPV, you should avoid having sexual relations until the warts are treated. Regular screening and follow-up for abnormal results are also important.
It is also important to remember that HPV is very common and most people who have the virus do not develop health problems. Safe sex, vaccination, frequent screenings—these are how to reduce the risks associated with HPV. If you have any concerns or questions about HPV and sexual activity, it is best to consult with your healthcare provider.
