The main route of infection

Infection usually occurs during sexual intercourse through contact with infected skin or mucous membrane areas. Viruses can also be transmitted during oral sex. Infection by non-sexual means is possible, but comparatively rare.

Unfortunately, condoms do not reliably protect against HPV because they do not protect all potentially infected areas of skin in the genital area. Nevertheless, they can reduce the risk of infection and of course protect against many other sexually transmitted diseases.

Many women find it difficult to talk to their partner about their HPV infection. Most are concerned with the following questions: Who infected whom?

Since the infection does not cause any symptoms, it usually goes unnoticed by those affected. Because women are more likely to be examined, they are also more likely to be diagnosed first. Who infected whom first can no longer be clarified in retrospect.

Fortunately, serious health problems caused by HPV infection are very rare in men. If your partner wants clarification or advice, urologists, dermatologists or the family doctor are the appropriate contacts for him.

If you are in a committed relationship, it can be assumed that your partner is also infected with HPV. It is not known whether both partners repeatedly infect each other. However, there are indications that existing cell changes on the woman's cervix are more likely to disappear if a couple regularly uses condoms during sexual intercourse. The reason could be that the immune system can fight off an infection better if it does not have to fight off a new infection at the same time.

The detection of an HPV infection is not a sign of an external relationship or infidelity. The infection may have occurred many years ago and remained unnoticed, as the infection is usually asymptomatic.