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Are you having back pain with any of the following?

  • Severe pain, weakness or tingling in your leg(s).
  • Difficulty stopping urination or loss of control of bladder or bowels.
  • Unexplained fever, nausea or vomiting.
  • A history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.

We understand that you are experiencing one or more of the health issues that might be impacting your back pain.

We recommend that you discuss these health issues with your doctor before proceeding with this program.

Once you are cleared by your doctor to do this program, we hope it helps you find relief from your back pain.

HPV and Genital Warts

Overview

HPV (human papillomavirus) is a common virus that can be passed from one partner to another during sex or intimate contact.

Most people carry the virus at some time in their lives, sometimes for a few months or a year or two. There are many types of HPV, and most of them are harmless and will go away on their own. Some types of HPV can turn into cervical cancer, and some types can cause genital warts.

The presence of HPV in anyone who has ever had sex is normal. Most women who have HPV will never get cervical cancer.

It is important to understand that when you become sexually active, you can be at risk of getting an STD. This is true for all forms of sexual activity such as oral, vaginal, or anal intercourse.

Sexually transmitted diseases are caused by different bacteria or viruses that are passed between partners during sexual activity. Some STDs are easily treated with no long-term effects, while others can be carried for life or cause serious or life-threatening diseases.

Except for not having sex (abstinence), there is no sure way to avoid contracting an STD. You can reduce your risk of getting STDs by:

  • Limiting the number of your sex partners
  • Practicing safer sex
  • Using condoms correctly and consistently

If you are sexually active and younger than 25, we recommend you come in once a year to be screened for STDs.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Most people with HPV have no symptoms and will not develop any health problems from the infection. Often, a person will be infected with more than 1 type of HPV. Typically, within 12 months after the infection occurs, the virus is no longer detectable.

Some types of HPV can cause genital warts. Genital warts usually appear as cauliflower-like bumps or flat pink, red, or flesh-colored patches inside the vagina, on the lips around the vagina, on the penis or scrotum, around the anus, or occasionally on the belly or thighs. The affected area can itch or feel irritated, but sometimes the warts do not cause any discomfort at all. Often, an outbreak of genital warts may occur when the immune system is weakened.

Other types of HPV can be associated with cervical and anal cancer, but this is rare. These types usually do not cause warts. If a woman has an abnormal Pap test, follow-up testing may be needed to determine if HPV is the cause. The two main ways to know if you have HPV are:

  • If genital warts appear
  • If you are a woman and you have abnormal Pap test results

Causes

HPV is spread by skin-to-skin contact, usually during sex. Catching HPV through vaginal and anal sex is the most common, but it is possible to be infected during oral sex as well.

HPV is spread easily during sex, even if condoms are used, and even if no genital warts are present. Because of this, the only sure way to protect yourself from HPV is not to have sex.

Talk with your partner

Talk openly and honestly with your partner about the risk for STDs and the importance of practicing safer sex. Remember that a person can be infected with an STD without knowing it. Be clear about what you will and will not do sexually and respect what your partner will and will not do. Decide together what is right for both of you.

Find Help if Your Partner Has Ever Hurt or Threatened You

Unfortunately, abusive relationships are common. Abuse can include pressuring or forcing you to have sex, or refusing to use a condom to protect against pregnancy or STDs. If you think you are being abused, you can get help by talking to us or you can:

  • Contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline, 1-800-799-7233 or 1-800-787-3224 for hearing/speech impaired.
  • Visit the National Sexual Assault Hotline or call 1-800-656-4673.

Prevention

  • Get regular Pap tests. In most women who develop cervical cancer, the changes in their cervical cells were present for years before they became cancerous. These changes can be treated with early detection, so screening is very effective.
  • If you smoke, quit now! If you are ready to quit, we can help. More information is available at your local Health Education Center or department, or you can visit kp.org/quitsmoking.

Lower your chances of getting HPV by:

  • Limiting the number of sexual partners you have.
  • Receiving the HPV vaccine before you become sexually active.

The HPV vaccine

In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration approved an HPV vaccine (the brand name is Gardasil®) for girls and women from ages 9 to 26.  The vaccine protects against the strains of HPV that may cause precancerous changes in the cervix and some genital warts. 

  • The vaccine is given in 3 doses.
  • It works best when it is given to girls before they are sexually active (usually ages 9 to 12).
  • Girls and young women between ages 13 and 26 may also consider the vaccine.
  • The vaccine probably will not benefit women who have had more than 4 sexual partners in their lifetime.
  • The vaccine is also approved for use in boys and young men.

We strongly recommend the vaccine for all girls 11 to 18 years old. We can talk about whether the vaccine is right for you at your next check-up.

If you have already had the HPV vaccine, you will still need to have a Pap test at least every 3 years. While the vaccine is effective against certain types of HPV, it does not prevent all the types that could possibly cause cervical cancer. It is also important to know that the HPV vaccine does not protect you against other sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia, herpes, or HIV.

Risk Factors

Sexual history. You have a greater chance of getting HPV if you have had multiple sexual partners (or if your partner has had lots of sexual partners).

Cigarette smoking. If you use tobacco, one of the best things you can do for your health is to quit now. Smoking doubles the risk of cervical cancer in women who have HPV. Exposure to second-hand smoke may also be a contributing factor.

A weakened immune system. If your immune system is weakened (you have HIV, for example, or you are undergoing chemotherapy) you should take extra precautions. You are at higher risk for catching HPV, and it is also more likely to develop into cervical cancer.

HPV, Genital Warts, and Pregnancy

A pregnant woman who has HPV is more likely to develop genital warts than a woman with HPV who is not pregnant. Treatment of the warts may be recommended to prevent complications during the pregnancy.

  • Genital warts may increase in size, bleed, or become infected with bacteria.
  • In very rare cases, genital warts may partially obstruct the birth canal. In these cases, having a C-section may be necessary to prevent complications.

During a vaginal delivery, a woman can transmit the HPV infection to her baby, although this is very rare. Because HPV can be present but not active, it is possible for warts that were transmitted during delivery to appear up to 3 years after the baby's birth.

Treatments

Sometimes genital warts clear up without treatment after a few months. However, they can sometimes grow and spread through the genital area. Although there is no cure for HPV, the symptoms can be treated.

We may recommend:

  • Medication
  • Surgical removal
  • Freezing the warts
  • Laser treatment

It may take several visits to completely remove the warts. The virus may still be present, even after the warts are gone, so passing it to your partner is still possible.

Living with HPV and Genital Warts

HPV can be a difficult topic to discuss with a partner because, aside from not having sex, there is no reliable way to prevent HPV transmission. If you choose to tell your partner you have HPV, you may want to let him or her know that this is a very common virus that many sexually active people carry, and that it rarely causes serious problems for most people. 

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If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder.

This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.



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