Does HPV Cause Itching, Smell or Other Symptoms?

Itching or an odd smell down there can set off a panic, especially if you have just heard you have HPV. The reassuring part is that HPV on its own rarely explains either. Here is what HPV does and doesn’t do.

What symptoms does HPV actually cause?

Usually none. The NHS says HPV does not usually cause any symptoms, and most people who have it never realise. The CDC says most people with HPV never develop symptoms or health problems, and that 9 in 10 infections go away on their own within two years.

When HPV does cause trouble, it usually shows up in one of two ways:

• Genital warts, which are small bumps or groups of bumps.
• Cell changes on the cervix, which cause no symptoms and are picked up on cervical screening.

Does HPV cause itching?

Genital warts can sometimes be painful or itchy, and they can bleed. But the NHS says they don’t usually cause symptoms. If you are itchy but cannot see or feel any lumps, it is worth looking at other common causes first.

The NHS lists itching or bleeding from the genitals or anus as a reason to get checked. A doctor or clinician can work out the cause.

Does HPV cause a smell?

Neither the CDC nor the NHS lists smell as a symptom of HPV or genital warts. If you notice an odour, other conditions are more likely to explain it:

• Bacterial vaginosis (BV) causes a thin, greyish-white discharge with a strong fishy smell, particularly after sex. The NHS says BV doesn’t usually cause soreness or itching, and it is not classed as an STI.
• Thrush in men can cause irritation, burning and redness around the head of the penis, a white discharge and an unpleasant smell. In women, thrush discharge is usually odourless.

Can HPV cause a rash or irritation?

The CDC and NHS don’t list a rash as a symptom of HPV. A red, itchy rash in the groin or skin folds is a common sign of thrush instead. The NHS says it can scale over, and may be harder to see on darker skin.

What causes itching and discharge in the genital area?

Several things can, and they need different treatment:

• Thrush. In women, this causes itching and irritation around the vulva and vagina, a white discharge like cottage cheese that usually doesn’t smell, and soreness or stinging during sex or when you pee.
• Bacterial vaginosis. Smell and discharge are typical, but itching usually isn’t.
• Other infections. The NHS lists discharge that isn’t usual for you, or pain when you pee, among the symptoms of genital herpes.

Because these overlap, it helps to be checked rather than guess. A clinician can take a swab to test for BV, thrush and other infections, and an online STD test can check for STDs that cause similar symptoms.

Can HPV cause other symptoms later on?

Sometimes. MedlinePlus says that if a high-risk HPV infection lasts many years and causes cell changes, you may have symptoms, and that these depend on which part of the body is affected. The CDC says cancers linked to HPV often take years, even decades, to develop, and that screening can find problems early. This is why people with HPV are encouraged to stay up to date with screening rather than wait for symptoms.

How would I know if I have HPV?

There is no test for a person’s overall HPV status. HPV tests are used to screen for cervical cancer in women aged 30 and over, and are not recommended for men or for teenagers. Many people only find out when they get genital warts or an abnormal result from cervical screening.

Genital HPV is very common. The CDC says nearly everyone who isn’t vaccinated will get HPV at some point, so a positive result is not a sign that something is wrong with you.

When should I get checked?

See a clinician if you have lumps, itching or bleeding, unusual discharge, a new smell, or pain when you pee, and don’t wait for it to settle. If it turns out not to be HPV, you will at least know what you’re treating. Keep up with routine cervical screening too, because HPV-related cell changes cause no symptoms.