Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI or STD) — so common, nearly anyone who’s sexually active will become infected at some point.
Fortunately, most HPV infections involve benign forms of the virus that are “cleared away” by your body’s immune system. But other strains linger, increasing your risks of more serious health issues, including cervical cancer. In fact, HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer by far, implicated in about 98% of cases.
At Desert Star Institute for Family Planning, DeShawn Taylor, MD, MSc, FACOG, and her team offer comprehensive STD testing, including screening for HPV and vaccines to help prevent HPV complications. If you’re wondering if you need to be concerned about HPV, here’s what our team wants you to know.
While many people think HPV is a single virus, it’s actually a family of more than 200 strains of virus, most of which are completely harmless. These are the strains that are successfully “fought off” and eliminated by your immune system without even causing any noticeable symptoms.
The strains that stay inside your body include “low-risk” strains that may lead to genital warts, as well as “high-risk” strains associated with cancers, including:
Some strains can cause recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, a relatively uncommon condition characterized by warts growing in your respiratory tract.
HPV is primarily spread through intimate skin-to-skin (or skin-to-mucosa) contact, like vaginal, anal, or oral sex. HPV can be spread without exchanging bodily fluids — for example, through nonpenetrative genital contact or from touching the genitals with contaminated fingers.
HPV also causes no symptoms before complications develop, which means you could have it — and spread it — without even knowing it. It’s also a major reason why infection is so common and why most people will come in contact with it at some point.
Especially because HPV is so common, regular screening is essential. Screening is performed during a regular Pap test, with an HPV test, or during a simple screening during a regular pelvic exam. A Pap test looks for abnormal cell changes that could be related to infections, while an HPV test looks for high-risk types of HPV.
Current guidelines recommend that all women with a cervix have their first Pap test at age 21, followed by screening every 3 years. For ages 30-65, guidelines recommend a Pap test every 3 years, or an HPV test or a combined Pap/HPV test every 5 years.
Once you reach age 65, you may not need testing any longer. Dr. Taylor can review your health history and past test results to decide if you should continue with regular screenings.
HPV vaccination plays an essential role in preventing HPV-related complications. Ideally, women should be vaccinated in their teens, before they become sexually active. However, HPV-related changes typically develop slowly, so even if you’ve been sexually active for some time, you can still benefit from vaccination.
In addition to the vaccine, you can provide an extra level of protection by consistently and correctly using condoms. However, since HPV can be spread without bodily fluids, even barrier methods of contraception are not 100% effective.
When it comes to any health concern, taking a proactive role in your own wellness is the best way to avoid serious problems. To learn more about HPV testing, vaccination, and management, request an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Taylor and the team at Desert Star Family Planning in Phoenix, Arizona, today.
