There's so much to know about HPV , Human Papillomavirus, it seems. There are countless reports and ongoing national news briefs on new developments of the virus, its symptoms and its vaccine. On July 13 2010, Amanda Gardner, a HealthDay Reporter for MSN.com reported that HPV is now linked to the second most common type of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma. As women in 2010, we do not need another blow to our health picture with another HPV scare. Gardner reports that HPV is virtually impossible to stay away from in today’s world, that it is "omnipresent".
Women need to know:
- The strains of HPV allegedly linked to skin cancer are not the same strains linked to cervical cancer.
-The vaccine won't necessarily keep you from getting HPV. There are 100 strains of HPV and the vaccine only prevents 4 types that are linked to cervical cancer.
-HPV is normally cleared from the body, naturally, in two years. Things that help clear the body of the virus is boosting the immune system.
-Just because you've tested HPV+ doesn't mean you'll get cervical cancer, genital warts, skin cancer, throat cancer and everything else linked to the virus. It does mean your immune system is combating a virus. To clear the virus, prevent the health conditions it may cause and prevent the virus in the future, you need to keep a strong and alive immune system.
What every woman should do:
Prevention:
Use protection during all forms of sexual intercourse
Keep your Immune System high
Detection:
Get your Pap Smear every year
Treatment:
-There is only treatment for the symptoms of HPV, like the irregular Cervical Cells, abnormal PAP, or the genital warts it causes. There is no treatment for the Human Papillomavirus itself. Boosting your immune system can stimulate your body to clear the virus.
-When you are treating the health conditions caused by HPV, make sure to research your Options - Eschariotic Treatments, Immune Boosting Supplements, Leep Procedure, Colposcopy.
-Follow through with the treatment in accordance with your GYN doctor’s directions.
Find an educated doctor who knows the ins and out of two things, the virus itself and the symptoms that it has created in your body. Dr. Grobe ND, a naturopathic physician practicing at the Center for True Harmony Wellness and Medicine in Mesa AZ specializes in abnormal paps (caused and not caused by HPV). She says that having the option for natural treatment of these symptoms and increasing the immune system to clear virus, allows for the body to strengthen and thus rid the body of the symptoms and the virus all in a way without detrimental side effects. The only side effect you’ll experience is a healthier body.
Here are some common questions asked about HPV.
The answers are given by Dr. Denise Grobe ND.
Is there a treatment for HPV?
There are treatments for the health problems that HPV can cause – genital warts, cervical cancer, and abnormal PAP results. There is no treatment for HPV itself, but most people’s bodies do eventually fight the virus off. When you treat an abnormal Pap and the abnormal cells are treated and removed, you may need to get PAP tests done more often to make sure they do not come back. There are more natural options and conventional options in treating abnormal PAP results.
How is the PAP test different from the HPV test?
Both of these tests help screen for cervical cancer, but they look for different things. The PAP test looks for cell changes on your cervix that could develop into cervical cancer. The HPV test looks for HPV, the virus that can cause these cell changes.
Will I have HPV forever?
In most women, HPV goes away with in 2 years. We do not know why it lasts longer in some women than others.
What is HPV?
HPV is a common virus. There are about 40 strains of HPV that affect the genitals or sex organs of men and women. Some HPV types can cause genital warts. Other types can infect a woman’s cervix and lead to cervical cancer over many years. But most of the time, HPV causes no symptoms or health problems and goes away by itself within 2-3 years. Experts do not know why HPV goes away in so many, but not all women.
How did I get HPV? Who gave it to me?
HPV is passed on through genital contact, most often during vaginal and anal sex. Most people never even know that have HPV or that they are passing to their partner. For this reason, it may not be possible to know who gave you HPV or when you got it. HPV is so common that most people get it soon after they start having sex. In cases when HPV does not go away on its own, it may only be found years later.
How does HPV cause cervical cancer?
HPV can cause normal cells on your cervix to turn abnormal. Most of the time, HPV goes away on its own. When HPV goes away, your cervical cells go back to normal. But HPV lingers for many years; these abnormal cells can turn into cancer.
Can I prevent Cervical Cancer?
Yes. You can get screening tests that can find early signs of cervical cancer before you ever get sick. That way, problems can be found and removed before they ever become cancer. The PAP test and HPV test are cervical cancer screening tests.
How likely am I to get cancer if I have HPV?
Few women who have HPV get cervical cancer- as long as they follow their doctor’s advice for needing testing and treatment. If you have HPV, your doctor may check up on you more often and do more tests to look for changes on your cervix. That way your doctor can find and treat any changes early, so you don’t get cervical cancer.
Does having HPV affect my chances of getting pregnant or having a healthy baby?
Having HPV does not make it harder to get or stay pregnant. The type of HPV you have should not affect the health of you future babies. But if you need treatment for abnormal cells caused by HPV, the treatment could affect your chances of having babies. Ask your doctor for details about your treatment.
Will I pass HPV to my current partner?
If you have HPV and have been with your partner for a while, your partner is likely to have HPV too. There is no way to know if your partner gave you HPV, or if you gave HPV to your partner.
Can I prevent passing HPV to my new partner?
Condoms may lower your chances of passing HPV to your new partner, if used correctly and all of the time. HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condom – so condoms may not fully protect against HPV. The only sure way of not passing HPV to you r partner is not to have sex.
Can my male partner be tested for HPV?
Right now, there is no HPV test for men. The types of HPV that cause cervical cancer rarely cause health problems in men.
The information presented in this fact sheet was taken from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and compiled by Dr. Denise Grobe ND of the Center for True Harmony Wellness and Medicine. Dr. Grobe specializes in natural options for abnormal Paps and HPV+ diagnoses.
CONTACT: Center for True Harmony Wellness & Medicine™, an integrated medical office and spa for men, women and families. We are located just off the SouthWest corner of CountryClub Dr and Baseline in Mesa Arizona 85210 . To contact this author, the office or our practitioners: info@trueharmonywellness or 480-539-6646.
