"Doctor, I tested HPV positive. Can it turn negative? Will I carry the virus forever?" Every day in clinic I meet women trapped by the two words "positive" — many, once they learn they have HPV, think it is an "incurable disease," either becoming panicked and losing sleep or being duped into spending money on "miracle cures" that turn tests negative. Today, as a gynecologist, I give you a clear answer: an HPV-positive infection can be cured and return to negative! Over 80% of people naturally revert to negative within 1–2 years. Of the remaining 20%, if the right approach is taken, they can also successfully clear the virus. The key is not to panic and not to undergo incorrect treatments.

First, a reassurance: 28-year-old Xiao Wang tested positive for HPV16 (high-risk type) and was so scared she avoided sexual intercourse; after following my regimen for 6 months she reverted to negative. Auntie Li, 56, had HPV52 positive for one year, used no medication, and by adjusting her schedule and diet she also reverted to negative on re-testing after one year. HPV infection is like a "cervical cold" — the body's immune system is the best "cold medicine," and the vast majority of people can overcome it with their own defenses.

1. First, understand: the probability of turning negative varies by situation (check which applies in 30 seconds)

HPV clearance is not “one-size-fits-all”; different types and different physical conditions clear at different rates, but clearance is possible in all cases:

Low-risk HPV (types 6, 11, etc.): clearance rate over 90%!

These HPV types are not carcinogenic and mainly cause condyloma acuminatum; if no lesions are present, no special treatment is needed—clearance can occur in about one year with immune response alone; if lesions are present, after removal by laser/cryotherapy and concomitant immune modulation, clearance is faster and long-term carriage is rare.

高危型 HPV（非 16、18 型，如 52、33、31 型）

High-risk HPV (non-16/18 types, such as 52, 33, 31): clearance rate 80%–85%!

These types of HPV are "potentially carcinogenic," but as long as the TCT is normal (no cervical cellular abnormalities) and there is no persistent infection (not exceeding 2 years), with immune regulation the probability of turning negative within 1–2 years is high. Ms. Zhang, age 32, was HPV33 positive with a normal TCT; after adhering to standardized follow-up and immune regulation for 1 year, she successfully converted to negative.

High-risk HPV types 16/18 (highest carcinogenic risk): negative conversion rate 75%–80%!

These two types account for 70% of cervical cancers, but that does not mean they cannot convert to negative. As long as cervical lesions have not developed, through "enhancing immunity + regular screening," most people can convert to negative within 1–2 years; even with persistent infection, timely colposcopic evaluation to rule out lesions can control risk with medical intervention, and conversion to negative can occur gradually.

Special populations (postmenopausal, immunocompromised): negative conversion rate 60%–70%, but it can be achieved!

After menopause, women experience a decline in estrogen and a natural weakening of immunity, so the rate of turning HPV-negative is somewhat slower; however, as long as they persist with management (increase protein intake, exercise more, avoid late nights), there is still over a 60% probability of converting to negative. For people with diabetes or those on long-term steroid therapy, control the underlying disease first and then boost immunity, and they can also successfully convert to negative.

2. The core to turning negative: you don't need a "miracle drug"; doing these 3 things well is enough (highly practical)

There is no specific drug for HPV; clearing the virus depends entirely on immunity. These three actions are simple and easy to carry out—stick with them for 3–6 months to see results:

Diet: “Feed the ammunition” for immune cells

One boiled egg per day + 200 ml of unsweetened milk (supplements high-quality protein, the “staple food” of immune cells);

Eat lean beef twice a week and a small handful of plain nuts (supplement zinc, enhance immune cell activity);

Eat more broccoli, spinach, oranges, and kiwifruit (supplement vitamin C and β-carotene, help “recharge” immune cells);

Avoid high sugar! Stop milk tea, cakes, and sugary drinks (high blood glucose helps viral replication and slows clearance).

Daily routine + exercise: activate the immune system’s “fighting capacity”

Do not stay up late: go to bed before 23:00 daily and ensure 7–8 hours of sleep — staying up late can reduce immune cell activity by 30%, making it easier for the virus to "stick around." Xiaowang used to stay up late watching shows every night; after testing negative he consistently went to bed at 22:30 and his immunity noticeably improved;

Moderate exercise: brisk walk 30 minutes daily (best 1 hour after dinner), or dance in the square twice a week, or do 15 minutes of yoga — gentle exercise can activate immune cells and is more effective than taking supplements.

Reduce viral burden: avoid cross‑infection

Wear a condom throughout intercourse (to prevent cross‑infection with a partner that can cause the virus to recur);

Quit smoking and drinking, and avoid secondhand smoke (nicotine directly damages immune cells, doubling the time to clear the infection);

Do not douche the vagina with cleansing solutions (it disrupts the vaginal microbiota, lowers local resistance, and instead helps the virus "take root").

3. Pitfall guide: absolutely do not do these 3 things, otherwise it's all for nothing

Do not buy "HPV clearance miracle drugs/gels"

No medication can directly kill HPV! Expensive "turn-negative oral solutions" and "cervical gels" are mostly a waste of money and may even damage the liver and kidneys. It's better to spend the money on eggs and milk to help bolster immunity. Aunt Li almost bought a "turn-negative gel" for 3,000 yuan; after I stopped her, she turned negative through dietary adjustment.

Don't blindly undergo surgery/laser treatment

Simple HPV-positive status (without lesions) does not require surgery! Surgery damages the cervical mucosa and reduces resistance, which can actually make it harder for the virus to clear; only when biopsy confirms cervical lesions (such as CIN2, CIN3) is a cone excision needed per physician recommendation, and immunity should be restored after surgery.

Do not be overly anxious, and do not ignore follow-up testing

Anxiety can suppress immune system function; the more panicked you are, the harder it is to convert to negative. But don’t assume “if it can turn negative naturally, no need to manage it”—you should follow the recommended screening frequency:

Isolated HPV positive: repeat HPV+TCT every 6 months;

HPV types 16 or 18 positive: perform colposcopy first; if no abnormalities, recheck every 6 months;

Persistent infection for more than 2 years: you must have colposcopy plus biopsy to exclude lesions.

4. Special situations: doing this increases the chance of turning negative

If HPV-positive + abnormal TCT (e.g., ASC-H, LSIL): first perform colposcopy + biopsy; if no lesion is found, manage as described above; if a low-grade lesion is present, continue observation + management; if a high-grade lesion is present, perform conization and then focus on immune modulation—this will make conversion to negative faster.

Those with severely low immunity (e.g., patients with HIV, long-term steroid use): under physician guidance use immunomodulators (such as interferon), and strictly control underlying diseases; this can also increase the probability of converting to negative.

Finally, I want to tell you:

Testing positive for HPV is not a “terminal illness”; it is your body reminding you to “take good care of your immunity.” Don’t panic, don’t be ashamed—80% of people can clear the infection on their own, and the remaining people can also achieve clearance if they use the right methods.

If you are currently anxious holding a positive report, don’t worry. First clarify the HPV genotype and the TCT result, and tomorrow take the report to the gynecology department of a reputable hospital for consultation — the doctor will help you develop an individualized plan. Your body is capable of eliminating the virus; what you need to do is trust it and support it, not needlessly experiment on it!

Remember: HPV positive can turn negative — this is not reassurance, it is a fact proven by clinical data. As long as you persist in "supplementing nutrition, sleeping well, exercising more, and having regular check-ups," the virus will sooner or later be "driven out" by your body!