 [ Symptoms ] what can be done to prevent hpv transmission to my partner what are the risks if he is infected  hello  i found out i have hpv from an abnormal pap smear however i do not have genital warts or any external symptoms i am currently in a monogamous relationship with a man i was wondering what type of precautions should be taken to prevent spreading the disease to him and what are the risks if the disease is transmitted to him i know it slightly increases the risks of some cancers in men but is there anything else to be concerned about  thank you [ Disease ] first i am sorry to hear you have been diagnosed with human papillomavirus hpv but i am glad to hear you are getting regular pap smears unfortunately your partner may already be infected even without external genital warts or other symptoms you can spread the virus through mere contact during sexual intercourse and use of a condom is not necessarily protective either since a condom does not cover all the skin areas that may come in contact with the virus the good news is that serious complications or cancers from hpv in heterosexual men with healthy immune systems is rare in fact in both your cases the virus may clear up on its own over the course of a couple of years though this is less likely if you are passing it back and forth  both you and your boyfriend should be alert for signs of genital warts on his penis or scrotum if you notice anything resembling genital warts he should try to see a doctor for a diagnosis really the only way to diagnose hpv in men is through physical examination during an outbreak of the warts if you have additional questions about this do not hesitate to ask your gynecologist hpv is incredibly common it is estimated that up to 50 of sexually active men and women will contract hpv at some point in their lives take care