Understanding HPV Pain: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a large group of viruses that infect the skin. These viruses can cause warts all over the body, including on the genitals. Left untreated, HPV may cause pain in the genital area.

Symptoms

• HPV is usually symptomless, but certain strains can cause warts on the skin. These warts, especially on the genitals, itch and burn. Besides the burning sensation, warts do not typically cause any pain.

Significance

• Since HPV usually has no symptoms, this virus is often unknowingly passed from one person to another through sexual contact. According to the Centers for Disease Control, at least 50 percent of all sexually active adults will contract HPV at some point in their lives.

Cure

• In most cases, the body's immune system clears or suppresses HPV on its own, but, as of 2010, there is no cure for the virus. Women should have annual Pap smears to detect the virus and the precancerous cells it can cause.

Pain and HPV

• If the immune system does not rid the body of HPV, it can cause cervical cancer in women and anal and penile cancers in men. These cancers may cause pain and bleeding during sex for women and anal pain in men. If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately.

Caution

• Although HPV is generally symptomless, the cervical, penile and anal cancers it can cause do have other symptoms. These may include changes in bowel or bladder habits, or growths and change of skin color on the penis. For women, such symptoms may include an increased vaginal discharge, abnormal vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain.