human papillomavirus

what is hpv?

Genital Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common and serious sexually transmitted disease (STD). Human papillomavirus is the name of a family of viruses that include more than 100 different types of viruses. Over thirty of these are transmitted through sexual contact. HPV infects the genital region of both men and women, including the skin of the penis in men and the vulva (area outside the vagina) in women.

HPV causes GENITAL WARTS and CANCER

Some strains of HPV are considered "high-risk" types, and may cause abnormal or pre-cancerous cells to grow inside a woman's genital tract. This can cause cancer of the cervix or vagina. In men, HPV can cause cancer of the penis. In both men and women, HPV can cause cancer of the anus or rectum.

Some strains of HPV are "low-risk" types and may cause genital warts without cancer. Genital warts are single or multiple bumps that appear in the genital area. The warts can also infect the anus, cervix, vagina, or rectum. Most people who become infected with HPV do not have any symptoms at all. Despite the absence of symptoms, the virus can still cause damage to the reproductive organs and be passed to other people.

statistics about hpv

About 20 million people are currently infected with HPV. At least half of all sexually active men and women will get a genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. Over a lifetime, 4 out of 5 women will have acquired a genital HPV infection. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection every year.

transmission of hpv

HPV is spread primarily through genital contact. Most HPV infections have no signs or symptoms; therefore, most people are unaware they are infected and unknowingly transmit the virus to their sex partner. HPV is usually transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact, most often during penetrative genital contact (vaginal or anal sex), but all types of genital contact (including oral sex or mutual masturbation) can lead to HPV infection. A pregnant woman can pass HPV to her baby during delivery. A baby that is exposed to HPV can then develop warts in the throat or voice box.

The more sexual partners a person has, the more likely it is that he or she will contract HPV. Having sex with a new partner is even more risky than having sex with a steady partner. For women, the sexual activity of their partner(s) is also important for determining risk of getting HPV. For teens and college students, the risk of acquiring HPV is greater if a woman's partner has had or currently has other partners. HPV infections are also common in both male and female homosexual relationships. HPV infection can be detected on inanimate objects, such as clothing or environmental surfaces, however transmission is not known to occur by this route.

hpv causes cancer

All sexually active women should have regular Pap tests to detect pre-cancerous or cancerous cells on the cervix. All types of HPV can cause mild Pap test abnormalities which are not serious. However, about 10 of the 30 identified genital HPV types can lead to cervical cancer. Research has shown that for most women (90 percent), cervical HPV infection becomes undetectable within two years. Although only a small proportion of women have a persistent infection, persistent infection with "high-risk" types of HPV is the main cause of cervical cancer.

Regular Pap testing and careful medical follow-up, with treatment if necessary, can help ensure that pre-cancerous changes in the cervix caused by HPV infection do not develop into life threatening cervical cancer. In 2004, over ten thousand women developed invasive cervical cancer, and about four thousand women will die from the disease. Most women who develop invasive cervical cancer have not had regular cervical cancer screening.

preventing hpv

The best way to prevent genital HPV infection is to refrain from any sexual contact with another person. For those who choose to be sexually active, a long-term, monogamous relationship (i.e. marriage) with an uninfected partner is also considered safe. However, it is difficult to determine whether a partner who has been sexually active in the past is currently infected. Even people with only one lifetime sex partner can get HPV if their partner has ever been infected. Those choosing to be sexually active outside of a faithful marriage have the highest risk of genital HPV infection.

Condoms do not fully protect against HPV. HPV infection can occur in both male and female genital areas that are covered by a latex condom, as well as in areas that are not covered. No method of contraception is considered a good way to prevent HPV.

hpv vaccination

There is now a vaccine that protects against four common types of genital human papillomavirus (HPV). These four strains are thought to cause most cervical cancers and genital warts. The HPV vaccine is considered safe and effective for females, up to 26 years.

Ideally, females should get the vaccine before they become sexually active, since this vaccine is most effective in those who have not yet acquired any of the HPV types. While doctors recommend the vaccine be given to pre-teens and teens, Birth Choice promotes a holistic approach to sexual behavior, negating the necessity for a vaccine. See our page Woman 360° for more information.

In girls/women who have not been infected with any of the four HPV types, the vaccine has been shown to be about 100% effective in preventing cancerous cells in the cervix, vulva, and vagina, and genital warts caused by those HPV types. However, the vaccine is new and there are not yet studies to show conclusive evidence of long-term effectiveness.

When vaccinated girls get older they will still need to get regular Pap tests since the vaccine does not protect against all cervical cancers. Also, once they become sexually active, they will still need to exercise caution in their sexual behaviors, since the vaccine will not prevent all cases of genital warts, nor will it prevent other sexually transmitted infections.

It is not yet known if the vaccine is safe and effective in males or in women over 26 years of age. Research is now being done with these groups. The US Food and Drug Administration will consider licensing the vaccine for these other groups when there is research to show that it is safe and effective for them.