Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)HPV

8 Ways to Prevent HPV or Detect It Early

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Updated on January 16, 2026
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HPV infection is common, but it doesn’t have to be inevitable.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 100 viruses, more than 40 of which are typically transmitted from person to person during intimate or sexual contact.

Sexually transmitted HPV infections are very common and can affect both men and women. In fact, More than 42 million people in the United States have acquired a type of HPV with links to disease development, with around 13 million people getting an HPV infection each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Most of the time HPV is harmless and gets better without treatment. But because some HPV types can cause genital warts — and others can cause changes in cells that can eventually develop into cancer — protecting yourself against HPV transmission is crucial. These eight strategies may help.

1

Get the HPV Vaccine

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The HPV vaccine Gardasil 9 protects against the types of HPV that cause most cases of cervical cancer as well as HPV-related anal, vaginal, vulvar, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers (cancers of the soft palate, base of the tongue, and tonsils). Gardasil 9 also protects against most genital warts.

The CDC recommends that all adolescents be vaccinated at 11 or 12 years of age, before any likely exposure to sexually transmitted strains of HPV. But the vaccine has U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for everyone between 9 and 45 years of age, and the CDC also recommends that teens and adults up to 26 years of age get a Gardasil 9 vaccination if they didn’t receive all recommended doses of the vaccine at a younger age.

2

Practice Abstinence

a couple on a couch together
The only 100-percent effective way to prevent HPV transmission is abstinence from any sexual contact, including oral, anal, and vaginal sex. You may decide to abstain from sex if you’re not in a committed relationship, if you’re in a relationship but don’t feel ready to have sex, or for any other reason.

For many adults, though, complete abstinence is not a realistic or desired option. If that’s the case for you, the other methods in this list can help prevent HPV from infecting you and your sexual partners. Plus, you can get some types of HPV outside of sexual contact, such as those that cause genital warts. These can spread through skin-to-skin contact or shared surfaces like swimming pools or public showers.

3

At Any Age, Limit Your Number of Sexual Partners

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Another HPV prevention strategy is to limit the number of sexual partners you have. People in monogamous sexual relationships, for example, have a lower risk of getting HPV than people with multiple sexual partners. The more sexual partners, the more possible exposure you have to HPV.

But even one sexual partner with previous HPV exposure can transmit infection. And the more partners your partner has had, the higher your risk.

Some studies suggest that refraining from sexual activity for several months before having sex with a new partner may reduce your risk of HPV transmission. The risk decreases because that amount of time allows any HPV infection that is present in you or your potential partner to clear.

One study suggested that most females with the HPV virus take 6 to 12 months to clear it from their bodies. However, the time the virus takes to leave the body may depend on the type of HPV, the woman’s age, their sexual behaviors, and which treatment they’ve had, if any.

Ideally, you and your partner should be honest with one another about your respective sexual histories. But keep in mind that anyone can have HPV and transmit the virus to a partner, even without any signs or symptoms of infection.

4

Don’t Start Having Sex Too Young

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The risk of having HPV is higher in people who started having sex at a younger age, according to Macmillan Cancer Support.

 There’s no way to know for sure whether a potential partner — especially one who you know to be more sexually experienced — has HPV.
If you’re going to have sex at a young age, the best way to protect yourself is to get an HPV vaccination first. You get the HPV vaccine in two or three doses, generally over 6 to 12 months. You can also lower your risk for HPV by using condoms from start to finish during any sexual encounter.

5

Use Condoms for Every Sexual Encounter

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If you are sexually active, using condoms can help lower the risk of HPV transmission. It is important to use a condom from start to finish of every sex act, including oral and anal sex. HPV is transmitted by skin-to-skin contact.

Because HPV can infect areas that are not covered by the condom, condoms will not fully protect you against HPV, but condoms do help in HPV prevention.

Never reuse a condom, and use a new condom for every new type of sexual activity within a single span of time (for example, if you switch from oral sex to vaginal sex).

6

For Men, Don’t Rely on Circumcision to Lower Your Risk

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A variety of studies have shown that men who are circumcised have a lower risk of acquiring and passing on HPV infection.

On the other hand, one older analysis found that more than 45 percent of a national sample of 1,868 American men tested positive for HPV on a penile swab, and circumcised men were more likely to have a high-risk, cancer-causing form of HPV.

Because circumcision alone cannot provide a guarantee against HPV infection, parents should still connect their sons with HPV vaccination, regardless of circumcision status. Sexually active men should also take appropriate precautions to avoid HPV infection. The HPV vaccine has FDA approval for men through 45 years of age, so more men can take this step to protect their sexual health.

7

Adopt a Healthy Lifestyle to Strengthen Your Immune System

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While no particular diet has been shown to prevent HPV infection or the cancers associated with HPV, there is evidence that following a healthy, plant-based diet high in naturally occurring vitamins and minerals strengthens the immune system and may be protective against developing at least some cancers.

Limiting high-calorie foods with too much added sugar, processed meats, refined grains, and excessive saturated or trans fats can also help you reduce your cancer risk.

Also, get regular exercise, don’t smoke, and don’t drink alcohol in excess. Keeping your body in good shape helps boost your immune system, and a healthy immune system is better able to fight off infections.

8

For Women, Get Screened to Catch Precancerous Changes Early

a doctor preparing to give a patient a pap smear
In some women, HPV infection leads to cervical dysplasia, or abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix. Cervical dysplasia can develop into cervical cancer, but early detection and treatment can help prevent that from happening.

Healthcare professionals use two tests to screen for cervical dysplasia or the presence of HPV infection of the cervix:

  • The Pap test involves collecting cells from the cervix and examining them under a microscope to look for abnormalities.
  • The HPV test similarly involves collecting cells from the cervix, but checks for the virus itself rather than abnormal cells.
The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that women ages 25 to 65 get a primary HPV test — one that’s approved for stand-alone use, without a Pap test — every five years.

As part of cervical cancer screening, samples that you collect without a healthcare professional present, whether at home or in a private clinic, are now usable for HPV testing in line with 2025 ACS guidelines. This still needs to be requested by a healthcare professional and should take place every three years.

 However, the ACS recommends that a healthcare professional collect a sample every five years because clinician-collected samples are still preferable.

If a primary HPV test is unavailable, the ACS recommends obtaining a Pap test along with an HPV test every five years or a Pap test alone every three years.

The ACS guidelines are similar to those of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), which recommends Pap tests every three years through age 29 and HPV testing every five years starting at 30 years of age in women with a healthy immune system and average risk of cervical cancer.

If you’re not sure which type of screening is right for you, speak to your doctor. The most important step is to undergo screening so that a medical professional can identify and address potential health problems early.

The Takeaway

  • Doctors highly recommend the HPV vaccine, Gardasil 9, for individuals ages 9 to 45 years, best administered before potential exposure to sexually transmitted strains of HPV.
  • Regular cervical screenings, such as the HPV or Pap test, are crucial for early detection of changes in cervical cells that could potentially lead to cervical cancer, and women can also self-collect doctor-requested samples every three years to improve accessibility.
  • Sexually active individuals are advised to limit the number of sexual partners and consistently use condoms to minimize the risk of HPV transmission, although condoms do not completely eliminate the risk, and HPV can still be transmitted in monogamous relationships.
  • Engage in overall healthy lifestyle habits like a balanced diet and exercise to support immune health and potentially lower cancer risks associated with HPV infections.

Additional reporting by Quinn Phillips.

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
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  3. Gardasil 9. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. March 26, 2025.
  4. HPV Vaccination. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. August 20, 2024.
  5. HPV (Human Papillomavirus). Cleveland Clinic. October 20, 2024.
  6. You Don’t Need to Have Sex to Get HPV — 6 Surprising Facts About HPV. University of Missouri Health Care. April 20, 2022.
  7. Abate A et al. Persistence and Clearance Rates of Human Papillomaviruses in a Cohort of Women Treated or Not Treated for Cervical Dysplasia in Northwest Ethiopia. Scientific Reports. March 10, 2025.
  8. Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Macmillan Cancer Support. April 1, 2021.
  9. Gorman J. Condom Dos and Don’ts. Ending HIV. September 15, 2018.
  10. Lipsky MS et al. HPV Prevention in Men: A Narrative Review of Strategies, Risks, and Public Health Implications. American Journal of Men’s Health. November 20, 2025.
  11. Han JJ et al. Prevalence of Genital Human Papillomavirus Infection and Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Rates Among US Adult Men: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013–2014. JAMA Oncology. June 8, 2017.
  12. Fjeldberg G. Plant Power: Using Diet to Lower Cancer Risk. Mayo Clinic. June 21, 2022.
  13. Cancer Prevention: 7 Tips to Reduce Your Risk. Mayo Clinic. November 23, 2024.
  14. Cervical Dysplasia: Is It Cancer? Mayo Clinic. January 27, 2023.
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Kara Smythe, MD

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Kara Smythe, MD, has been working in sexual and reproductive health for over 10 years. Dr. Smythe is a board-certified fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecolog...

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