About HPV-related cancers

HPV is more common in adults than you may think

HPV infection usually has no signs or symptoms. Those who have HPV could pass it on without knowing it through any type of sexual contact.

For most people, HPV clears on its own.

HPV, human papillomavirus.

Did you know?

For most people, HPV clears on its own. But for those who don’t clear the virus, HPV can lead to certain cancers and diseases.

Tens of thousands of men and women were diagnosed with certain HPV-related cancers each year from 2015-2019a

aBased on CDC data.

HPV can lead to certain cancers and diseases, such as:

Cancer or DiseaseWomenMen
Cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancersb✓
Anal cancerb✓✓
Certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancersb✓✓
Genital wartsc✓✓
bHPV Types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58.
cHPV Types 6 and 11.

GARDASIL 9 only helps protect against certain cancers caused by these types of HPV. HPV is not the only cause of these cancers.

For most people, HPV clears on its own.

Know the facts

What is the most common HPV-related cancer among men and women?

In the United States, the most common HPV-related cancer among men was certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers. In women, the most common HPV-related cancer was cervical cancer.d

dBased on 2015-2019 CDC data.

Why should men get vaccinated?
Why should women get vaccinated?

What if I have already had one type of HPV?

Infection with one type of HPV does not prevent infection with another type.

Even if you’ve been infected with one type of HPV, you can still be infected with another type of the virus. GARDASIL 9 can help protect you from certain HPV-related cancers and diseases caused by the HPV types (Types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58) you haven’t been exposed to yet.

HPV is not the only cause of these cancers and diseases.

GARDASIL 9 does not treat HPV infection.

Find out more about GARDASIL 9

GARDASIL 9 is the only vaccine for men and women 45 and under that helps protect against certain HPV-related cancers and diseases.

Learn about GARDASIL 9

Frequently asked questions

Is there a way to screen for HPV?

Women should get routine cervical cancer screenings. The HPV test can be done by itself or at the same time as the Pap test.

GARDASIL 9 does not remove the need for screening for cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, and certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers as recommended by a health care professional; women should still get routine cervical cancer screenings.

For more information, talk to your health care provider.

Explore FAQs

Can HPV-related cancers and diseases affect men too?

Men may be at risk for certain HPV-related cancers and diseases including head and neck cancers, such as certain throat and back of mouth cancers as well as anal cancer and genital warts.

For most people, HPV clears on its own. But for those who don’t clear the virus, it can cause certain cancers and diseases.

In the United States, certain throat and back of mouth cancers are now the most common HPV-related cancers in men. While both men and women can develop these cancers, they affect men more often.e

eBased on 2015-2019 CDC data.

HPV is not the only cause of these cancers.

Related: Why should men get vaccinated?

Explore FAQs

See more FAQs

Get more info

Why should men get vaccinated?

Why should men get vaccinated?

Why should women get vaccinated?

Why should women get vaccinated?

How to talk to your doctor or pharmacist

How to talk to your doctor or pharmacist

Find a pharmacy

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Site intended for US residents 18+ only. Please contact the pharmacy to determine vaccine availability and pharmacy’s ability to administer vaccine in your particular situation. You may also want to discuss your insurance information in advance to verify coverage. The information provided here is not intended to replace medical advice from a health care practitioner. Inclusion of a pharmacy is not a representation or guarantee that you will have insurance coverage for the product when administered at pharmacy. The choice of pharmacy also may affect your out-of-pocket costs. You should confirm your insurance coverage for GARDASIL 9 and its administration prior to vaccination.

These are not all the locations that may administer GARDASIL 9. If a location you are looking for is not listed, please contact the location to see if it is administering the vaccine.

The Find a Pharmacy feature is provided for informational purposes only and is based on information provided by pharmacies that have opted in and have agreed to include their information. Merck is not affiliated with any pharmacy and does not support the use of any particular pharmacy. One pharmacy is not preferred over the others. Merck does not make any warranty as to the features and support offered by any particular pharmacy. The inclusion of a pharmacy is not an endorsement of the location, nor is Merck making a representation or guarantee about the qualifications, competence, or skills of the vaccine providers.

What is GARDASIL®9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant)?

GARDASIL 9 helps protect individuals ages 9 to 45 against the following diseases caused by 9 types of HPV: cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in females, anal cancer, certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers and genital warts in both males and females.

 

GARDASIL 9 may not fully protect everyone, nor will it protect against diseases caused by other HPV types or against diseases not caused by HPV. GARDASIL 9 does not prevent all types of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, or head and neck cancers.

 
Vaccination does not remove the need for recommended cancer screenings, and it’s important to get routine cervical cancer screenings. GARDASIL 9 does not treat HPV infection, cancer, or genital warts.

 

GARDASIL 9 is a shot that is usually given in the arm muscle. GARDASIL 9 may be given as 2 or 3 shots.

  • For persons 9 through 14 years of age, GARDASIL 9 can be given using a 2-dose or 3-dose schedule. For the 2-dose schedule, the second shot should be given 6–12 months after the first shot. If the second shot is given less than 5 months after the first shot, a third shot should be given at least 4 months after the second shot. For the 3-dose schedule, the second shot should be given 2 months after the first shot and the third shot should be given 6 months after the first shot.
  • For persons 15 through 45 years of age, GARDASIL 9 is given using a 3-dose schedule; the second shot should be given 2 months after the first shot and the third shot should be given 6 months after the first shot.

The appropriate dosing schedule will be determined by a health care professional.

Important Safety Information

Anyone with an allergic reaction to the ingredients of GARDASIL 9 or GARDASIL® [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant], including those severely allergic to yeast, should not receive the vaccine. GARDASIL 9 was not studied in women who knew they were pregnant.

 

Fainting can happen after getting GARDASIL 9. Sometimes people who faint can fall and hurt themselves. For this reason, the health care professional may ask the person getting GARDASIL 9 to sit or lie down for 15 minutes after getting the vaccine. Some people who faint might shake or become stiff.

 

The side effects include pain, swelling, redness, itching, bruising, bleeding, and a lump where you got the shot; headache; fever; nausea; and dizziness.

 

Only a doctor or health care professional can decide if GARDASIL 9 is right for you.

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

 

Please read the Patient Information for GARDASIL 9, and discuss it with your doctor. The physician Prescribing Information also is available.

What is GARDASIL®9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant)?

GARDASIL 9 helps protect individuals ages 9 to 45 against the following diseases caused by 9 types of HPV: cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in females, anal cancer, certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers and genital warts in both males and females.

 

GARDASIL 9 may not fully protect everyone, nor will it protect against diseases caused by other HPV types or against diseases not caused by HPV. GARDASIL 9 does not prevent all types of cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, or head and neck cancers.

 
Vaccination does not remove the need for recommended cancer screenings, and it’s important to get routine cervical cancer screenings. GARDASIL 9 does not treat HPV infection, cancer, or genital warts.

 

GARDASIL 9 is a shot that is usually given in the arm muscle. GARDASIL 9 may be given as 2 or 3 shots.

  • For persons 9 through 14 years of age, GARDASIL 9 can be given using a 2-dose or 3-dose schedule. For the 2-dose schedule, the second shot should be given 6–12 months after the first shot. If the second shot is given less than 5 months after the first shot, a third shot should be given at least 4 months after the second shot. For the 3-dose schedule, the second shot should be given 2 months after the first shot and the third shot should be given 6 months after the first shot.
  • For persons 15 through 45 years of age, GARDASIL 9 is given using a 3-dose schedule; the second shot should be given 2 months after the first shot and the third shot should be given 6 months after the first shot.

The appropriate dosing schedule will be determined by a health care professional.

GARDASIL 9 helps protect individuals ages 9 to 45 against the following diseases caused by 9 types of HPV: cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in females, anal cancer,

GARDASIL 9 helps protect individuals ages 9 to 45 against the following diseases caused by 9 types of HPV: cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in females, anal cancer, certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers and genital warts in both males and females.

Important Safety Information for GARDASIL®9 (Human Papillomavirus 9-valent Vaccine, Recombinant)

Anyone with an allergic reaction to the ingredients of GARDASIL 9 or GARDASIL® [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant], including those severely allergic to yeast, should not receive the vaccine. GARDASIL 9 was not studied in women who knew they were pregnant.

 

Fainting can happen after getting GARDASIL 9. Sometimes people who faint can fall and hurt themselves. For this reason, the health care professional may ask the person getting GARDASIL 9 to sit or lie down for 15 minutes after getting the vaccine. Some people who faint might shake or become stiff.

 

The side effects include pain, swelling, redness, itching, bruising, bleeding, and a lump where you got the shot; headache; fever; nausea; and dizziness.

 

Only a doctor or health care professional can decide if GARDASIL 9 is right for you.

 

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

 

Please read the Patient Information for GARDASIL 9, and discuss it with your doctor. The physician Prescribing Information also is available.

Anyone with an allergic reaction to the ingredients of GARDASIL 9 or GARDASIL® [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine,

Anyone with an allergic reaction to the ingredients of GARDASIL 9 or GARDASIL® [Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant], including those severely allergic to yeast, should not receive the vaccine. GARDASIL 9 was not studied in women who knew they were pregnant.

 

Fainting can happen after getting GARDASIL 9. Sometimes people who faint can fall and hurt themselves. For this reason, the health care professional may ask the person getting GARDASIL 9