HPV In Women

Getting to Know About HPV in Women
The majority of patients that contract Human Papillomavirus (HPV) are women. Because it is so common in women, it is highly important that women know everything that they can about the disease as well as what they can do about it. In recent years, due to high infection rates, there has been great emphasis of the medical community on the prevention, treatment, and diagnosis of HPV in women.

Cancer Associated with HPV
There are a few different kinds of cancer commonly associated with HPV in Women. The most common is cervical cancer. Medical evidence suggests that HPV and cervical cancer are very closely related. The majority of women–about 95%–who get vagina cancer also have HPV. Other cancers which are associated with HPV include anus, vulva, head, mouth and throat cancers.

Preventing HPV
The first line of defense for young women to prevent HPV is vaccination. These are available for women who fall into very specific age parameters. Some states have even made it law that school-aged females are required to get vaccinated prior to beginning elementary school.

Another way to lower the risk of contracting HPV is to use protecting during intimate contact. Dental dams and condoms during oral sex, and condoms (either male and female types) during intercourse can reduce (but not eliminate) the risk for contracting HPV.

Treatment Methods
Many doctors will take great caution when to treating HPV in women as the majority of cases will resolve themselves over time. Even when warts which are present, the body can in most cases eliminator them on its own. Ointments may be prescribed to help relieve discomfort and stop the spread of the disease. In some cases, wart may need to be chemically or surgically removed. Additionally, if tumors are present additional testing may be required and doctors may perform a biopsy to determine if these are cancerous.