# Can a woman contract HPV even if she only has sexual contact with women? Canonical page: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/can-women-get-hpv-from-women-only-sexual-contact Language: en Category: womens_health Publisher: ClinicsJo Published: 2026-09-13T17:52:51.085Z Content updated: 2026-09-13T17:52:51.085Z Translation (ar): https://clinicsjo.com/ar/faq/can-women-get-hpv-from-women-only-sexual-contact Yes, a woman can contract human papillomavirus (HPV) even if she only has sexual contact with women. HPV is primarily transmitted through close skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and can be transmitted even in the absence of visible symptoms \[1, 3\]. HPV is a very common infection, and most sexually active individuals contract it shortly after becoming sexually active. There are more than 200 types of HPV; some can cause genital warts and certain types of cancer, such as cancer of the cervix, vulva, vagina, and anus \[1, 2\]. ## How is HPV transmitted between women? HPV is transmitted through close skin-to-skin contact in the genital area during various sexual practices. This means that direct contact between infected skin and healthy skin can lead to viral transmission, even without penetration. This can include vulvar-to-vulvar contact, the use of shared sex toys, or any other form of sexual contact involving the genital areas [\[3\]](). Transmission does not require the presence of visible symptoms on either partner [\[3\]](). ## Importance of Screening and Prevention Because HPV can cause serious health problems like cervical cancer, regular screening and prevention are vital for all women, regardless of their sexual orientation. There is no way to know who will develop cancer or other health problems from HPV, and individuals with weakened immune systems may be more susceptible to health issues from the virus [\[3\]](). - **HPV Vaccination:** The vaccine provides high protection against many types of HPV, including those that cause genital warts and certain cancers \[1, 2\]. Vaccination is recommended before exposure to the virus—that is, before becoming sexually active—but adults can also benefit from it \[1, 2\]. - **Cervical Cancer Screening:** Routine cervical cancer screening, such as the Pap test and the HPV test, is essential for detecting cellular changes that could lead to cancer \[1, 3\]. Women who have been vaccinated against HPV must continue to undergo routine cervical cancer screenings because the vaccine does not protect against all HPV types that cause cancer [\[2\]](). ## What to do if you are concerned? If you are concerned about HPV exposure or have any symptoms, such as genital warts or unusual lumps, you should consult a healthcare provider [\[3\]](). A healthcare provider can typically diagnose genital warts by visual examination [\[1\]](). There is no cure for the virus itself, but there are treatments for the health problems it can cause, such as genital warts and precancerous cellular changes [\[3\]](). For more information on prevention, vaccination, and the link between human papillomavirus and cancer, you can visit [Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Prevention, Vaccination, and its Link to Cancer (Arabic)](). ## Medical references - [HPV]() - [Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine]() - [About Genital HPV Infection]() General health education; not a substitute for individualized clinical assessment. Citation URL: https://clinicsjo.com/en/faq/can-women-get-hpv-from-women-only-sexual-contact#answer