What is HPV?
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States, affecting most sexually active individuals at some point in their lives. The virus is capable of causing genital warts and certain types of cancers, such as cervical cancer. However, it’s important to note that there are many different types of HPV, they affect individuals differently, and the vast majority of infected people never experience any symptoms or problems at all.
Management and Treatment
Your HPV test came back positive, now what? First and foremost, remember that you are not alone. 85% of all people will get an HPV infection in their lifetime. HPV is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. However, transmission does not even require sexual intercourse. It can be transmitted through any genital contact or through any activity involving genital contact, which is precisely why so many people get infected with it. Another reasons HPV spreads so easily is that most of the time it doesn’t cause any symptoms at all, so most people don’t even know they are infected.
It is also important to point out that 90% of HPV infections go away on their own. Your immune system is capable of clearing HPV from your body within a couple of years.
Any problems that may arise typically take many years to develop, giving plenty of time for intervention and treatment. Monitoring and regular check-ups are crucial to detect and manage any complications arising from a persistent HPV infection. That is why regular cervical cancer screenings, such as Pap tests and HPV tests, are crucial.
While treatments can’t eliminate the virus from the body, they can remove any visible warts on your genitals and abnormal cells in your cervix. Keep in mind that only a small number of people infected with the HPV virus will ever develop abnormal cells on their cervix that require treatment.
Treatments for HPV related symptoms and changes may include:
- Cryosurgery: Freezing warts or destroying abnormal cells with liquid nitrogen.
- Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP): Using a special wire loop to remove warts or abnormal cells on your cervix.
- Electrocautery: Burning warts off with an electrical current.
- Laser therapy: Using an intense light to destroy warts or any abnormal cells.
- Cold knife cone biopsy (conization): Removing a cone-shaped piece of cervical tissue that contains abnormal cells.
- Prescription cream: Applying medicated cream directly to your warts to destroy them. These creams may include imiquimod (Aldara®) and podofilox (Condylox®).
- Trichloroacetic acid (TCA): Applying a chemical treatment that burns off warts.
The Power of Prevention
The easiest way to prevent HPV infection is vaccination, which is both safe and effective. The vaccine offers protection against the types of HPV most commonly associated with genital warts and cancers. When administered before an individual is sexually active, the vaccine can reduce the risk of HPV-related diseases by up to 99 percent.
The vaccine is recommended for preteens aged 11 or 12, but can be given as early as age 9 and up to age 26. Vaccination is still possible even up to the age of 45, particularly for those who have not been previously vaccinated and are at risk of new HPV infections. The vaccine is administered in two or three doses, depending on the age at the first vaccination.
Aside from vaccination, using condoms and dental dams during sexual activity can reduce the risk of HPV transmission. These barriers provide additional protection, though they are not foolproof given the ease of HPV’s transmission.
A positive HPV test might be scary, but chances are you’ll never even experience any symptoms or problems related to the virus. Speak to your provider at Centre OB/GYN in Raleigh, NC about safe sex practices, the highly effective HPV vaccine, and the many options to treat any problems that may arise from the infection.
Further Reading:
Cleveland Clinic: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11901-hpv-human-papilloma-virus
ACOG: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/hpv-vaccination
Give us a call to learn more: https://centreobgyn.com/raleigh/
