HPV Testing and Treatment in Women

by Dr. Alex Shteynshlyuger


If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation, please contact us or call/text: 1-646-663-4125.


What is HPV? How Do Women Get HPV? 

What is HPV?

HPV (Human papillomavirus) is one of the most common viral infections that affect men and women. There are many HPV viruses that infect men and women, over 100 varieties exist. Some HPV strains cause oral ulcers, others cause warts on the feet (plantar warts).

Certain strains cause genital warts in the vagina, labia in women. Men can get genital warts on the penis and scrotum.    Some HPV virus strains cause cervical cancer and vaginal cancer in women.

For example, HPV strains 1, 2, 4, 60, or 63 cause plantar warts on the feet. HPV 6 and 11 cause 90% of genital warts.  HPV strains 16 and 18 cause most cervical cancers for example.

Low-risk HPV types (cause warts but not cancer): 6, 11, 42, 43, 44

High-risk for cancer types (cancer-causing HPV strains): 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, 68

HPV Vaccination and Prevention in NYC

The most effective way to prevent HPV is through vaccination which is very effective against strains that cause genital warts and cancers.  The HPV vaccine protects against both cancer-causing HPV virus and genital warts (Gardasil-9). 

Where to Get Tested and Vaccinated for HPV in NYC?

At New York Urology Specialists, we offer same-day HPV Vaccination, HPV testing and genital wart treatment for men and women.

We also perform comprehensive STD testing for other infections. We offer confidential appointments. Our prices are affordable with or without insurance.  Call/text today: 1-646-663-4125 or make an appointment online.  

What are the Symptoms of HPV? Do They Show up Differently in Men Than in Women?

The most obvious symptoms of genital HPV are genital warts. Sometimes they are small and difficult to see. They can occur on the lower abdomen (suprapubic area), penis, scrotum, and peri-anally in men; in women, they can occur on the lower abdomen (suprapubic), labia, perineum, and peri-anally.

Many men and women are HPV carriers and do not have any symptoms but can infect their partners. In women, high-risk HPV strains that cause cervical cancer cause cervical dysplasia that is often detected with PAP smear. Newer DNA-based testing is available for HPV testing in women.

What are the long-term complications in both men and women if HPV is left untreated?

Genital warts caused by HPV can grow fairly large and can disfigure the labia in women if left untreated.  A high-risk HPV infection can predispose to cervical cancer in women; oropharyngeal cancer (from oral sex) and anal cancer.

How Long do Symptoms Take to Show up Once You Contract HPV?

In women, HPV may be detected by PAP smear or DNA swab testing.  Long-term infection can predispose to a variety of cancers.   Low-risk HPV strains cause genital warts. Warts can appear within a few weeks to a few months after infection. Women can be infected with cancer-causing HPV but not with wart-causing HPV and vice versa.  Often, there may be no symptoms at all that you are infected with a cancer-causing HPV virus.

How is HPV diagnosed? Is there an at-home test you can take?

There are no home tests for HPV infection. Infection with cancer-causing HPV viruses in women is usually diagnosed via DNA testing of vaginal and cervical secretions or PAP smear.   Genital warts associated with low-risk HPV strains can be diagnosed visually by an experienced physician; biopsy of a genital wart can confirm the diagnosis.

How  Do Women Get Infected with HPV?

HPV is contracted through close sexual contact, even without penetration. Condoms do not provide complete protection against HPV transmission.  Women can get an oral infection with HPV through unprotected oral sex.

How Can I Prevent HPV?

Vaccination with Gardasil 9 offers the best option for prevention. Vaccination is best administered before the onset of sexual activity (teenagers/adolescents). The HPV vaccine can also be administered for older women.  Scientific studies suggest that the HPV vaccine can also benefit women with abnormal PAP smear and HPV infection.

HPV Treatment in Women

There is no established treatment for high-risk cancer-causing HPV in women. Regular PAP smears are recommended and LEEP procedure to remove precancerous cells is often performed.  

Studies suggest that HPV vaccination may have some benefit in the treatment of established HPV infection in women.

Genital wart treatment in women includes creams and genital wart removal.

What do Genital Warts Look Like?

You can find pictures of genital warts as well as before and after treatment images in our genital wart image gallery.

Scheduling Appointments for HPV Testing, Vaccination, and STD Treatment at New York Urology Specialists


If you have any questions about testing or treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STI), to schedule a consultation, please contact us or call/text: 1-646-663-4125.  

We have excellent reviews from patients and their partners. 

We offer affordable, highest-quality urology care with or without insurance.   Find out our office hours or directions to our office. We offer weekday, weekend, and evening office hours.


STDs are Treatable in Nearly Every Man

Excellence-Urology_Care-banner2At New York Urology Specialists, our urologists are specially trained in the evaluation and treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STI).  We understand the challenges that STDs such as chlamydia, herpes, gonorrhea, and ureaplasma create for our patients, their relationships, and their self-esteem.  We help you find an effective treatment for your symptoms that may be caused by STD, UTI or another cause. 

Urologists are doctors specializing in the treatment of infections in men and women caused by sexually transmitted diseases as well as bladder infections (UTI). By the virtue of our experience and skill, we are able to offer an effective treatment option for nearly every man and woman with urinary problems and bladder control problems.   

We treat some of the most complex STD problems including:

Schedule an Appointment with Dr. Shteynshlyuger:

Call/text today: 1-646-663-4125 or make an appointment online

Dr. Alex Shteynshlyuger is a fellowship-trained board-certified urologist with expertise in the evaluation and treatment of urological problems in men and women using modern effective and proven treatment methods.  He is highly recommended by top primary care physicians in the New York area. If you or someone you know has been experiencing urological symptoms, make an appointment to take advantage of Dr. Shteynshlyuger’s expert advice. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.

If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation, please contact us or call/text: 1-646-663-4125.

We offer affordable, highest-quality urology care with or without insurance.   Find out our office hours or directions to our office. We offer weekday, weekend, and evening office hours.

This article is also available in: Español (Spanish) 简体中文 (Chinese (Simplified)) Русский (Russian)