Genital HPV is the most common viral STD (sexually transmitted disease) in the United States.  There are over 40 different types of HPV that can infect the genital areas of women and men. 

 

HPV is a viral infection and currently there is no cure.  However, over 88% of the time, the person’s body will naturally clear the infection.  Most people who are infected with HPV do not have symptoms.  Quite often they don’t even know that they have the infection. 

 

Certain strains of HPV can cause genital warts.   The warts can appear on the thigh, anal area, penis, scrotum, vagina and cervix.  Less than 1% of patients infected with HPV will have visible genital warts.  There are treatments to get rid of the wart but often they will reappear because the virus is still active.    

 

So you are ready to discuss options with your physician, treatments for genital warts include:

ü     Waiting for the body to clear them naturally (usually take less than 2 years)

ü     Aldara (imiquimod) –prescription drug that is usually applied to warts at bedtime three times a week for up to 16 weeks.

ü     Surgical or cryotherapy administered by physician

ü     Condylox (podofilox) –prescription drug applied to warts twice daily for 3 days then 4 days with no application (usually repeated 4 times)

ü     Trichlor (trichloroacetic acid) –prescription drug applied to warts, cover for 5 days then repeat if needed

 

Other strains of HPV (high risk HPV) can lead to development of cervical cancer, as well as other forms of cancer.  These strains of HPV can be healed by the body’s defense system.  However, if the body does not heal itself, the HPV hangs around and increases the risk of developing cervical cancer.

 

Pap smears are the best way to test and monitor for HPV infections that can lead to cancer. 

 

Gardasil and Cervarix are vaccines for HPV that can cause cervical cancer.  Gardasil can be given to girls and women from 9 to 26 years old.  Cervarix is not yet available in the States but it is used in Australia for females 10 to 45 years old and males 9 to 15 years old. 

 

The vaccines do not guarantee 100% protection and are still being researched. 

 

A person can get genital HPV from penetrative sex (vaginal and anal) and oral sex.  It can also be spread through touching, like naked genitals touching or hand to genital touching.  This means that using a condom decreases the likelihood of passing on HPV but even with a condom, you are still at risk. 

 

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