Genital Warts, HPV, and the LGBT Community

People don’t like to think about HPV, let alone talk about it. But among gay and bisexual men, HPV is very common—more than half of HIV- men and 90% of HIV+ men carry HPV. Most don’t even know they have it. And if you’ve ever had HPV, your risk for developing colorectal cancer has increased tenfold. And women with HPV are at greater risk of developing cervical cancer.

HPV spreads between sexual partners during close skin-to-skin contact. Penetration isn’t necessary and condoms may not provide enough protection. HPV can infect the anal and genital region, causing genital warts or precancerous growths that can lead to anal and cervical cancer. HPV can be transmitted from woman to woman.

But HPV and genital warts can be treated. Enhanced screening, diagnosis, and treatment of HPV and warts in the precancerous stage can prevent and possibly arrest progression of the disease.

You can protect your health with early detection and treatment of HPV.

• Find an LGBT-friendly health care provider with whom you can talk openly.
• If you are a gay man, talk to your doctor about getting an anal pap smear. It’s simple and painless.
• Information on anal pap tests is available online at www.gayhealth.com.
• It is recommended that HIV-negative men who have sex with men screen for HPV every two years.
• HIV positive men should be screened every year.
• Women over 18 should have a gynecological exam every year including a pap smear.

[DOWNLOAD HPV AD—HI RES PDF OR LOW RES PDF| DOWNLOAD HPV FACTSHEET—HI RES PDF OR LOW RES PDF]

[DOWNLOAD ALL 9 ADS (PDFs) AS ONE FILE—HI RES OR LOW RES | DOWNLOAD ALL 9 FACTSHEETS (PDFs) AS ONE FILE—HI RES OR LOW RES]

PLEASE NOTE: All PDFs on this site require Acrobat Reader 5.0. For a free download of Acrobat Reader 5.0 or for a free upgrade to Acrobat Reader 5.0, please visit the Adobe website at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html.

"We are truly excited about the possibilities and potential for raising the awareness in our community and beyond around LGBT health in all of its issues. You and your organization's participation will ensure that we will be able to work together in a coordinated way and provide a unified voice at the forefront of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender health."

—Cornelius Baker, Co-Chair, Executive Committee National Coalition for LGBT Health

National Coalition for LGBT Health
1407 S Street, NW • Washington, DC 20009 • 202.797.3516/202.797.4430/f
coalition@lgbthealth.net