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Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)


Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a very common virus. It is passed between humans via skin to skin contact, mainly via sexual intercourse. Nearly every sexually active individual is in fact infected with HPV at some point in their lives.1

Most people who contract HPV don’t know they have it, and 90% of people clear it within two years.2 Some people may experience warts, which are small skin coloured growths typically on the opening of the vagina or around the anus, and these either clear up or can be treated (with mixed success).

There are over 200 HPV types, and many of these are harmless. There are some types however that have been linked to cancer, especially when these persist, and this is the main concern with ongoing HPV infection.

HPV is responsible for various cancers, namely oropharyngeal, cervical, vulvar, vaginal and penile cancer. About 99.7% of cervical cancer cases are caused by persistent genital HPV infection.2

Currently there are two effective prophylactic vaccines against HPV infection. These protest against genital warts and most cases of cervical cancer. There is currently no medical cure for an existing HPV infection. There are some natural methods to support the immune system to clear the virus itself.

The vaginal microbiome may have an impact on how quickly the virus can be cleared. It has been reported that a vaginal microbiome dominated by non lactobacillus species is connected with the risk of HPV infection and persistence, and some lactobacillus species, like lactobacillus gasseri, might be helpful for the clearance of HPV.3,4

References

  1. World Health Organization. Human Papillomavirus. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-papilloma-virus-and-cancer 2.. Accessed Mar 12, 2025.
  2. Okunade KS. Human papillomavirus and cervical cancer [published correction appears in J Obstet Gynaecol. 2020 May;40(4):590.
  3. Zeng M, Li X, Jiao X, et al. Roles of vaginal flora in human papillomavirus infection, virus persistence and clearance. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2023;12:1036869.
  4. Brusselaers N, Shrestha S, van de Wijgert J, Verstraelen H. Vaginal dysbiosis and the risk of human papillomavirus and cervical cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2019;221(1):9-18.e8.

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