The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil, released in 2006 is becoming widely popular among young women these days. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) among men and women today. The American Social Health Association reports that close to 75% of American men and women (over the age of 15) get HPV during their lifetime. Although the vaccine is fairly new it has promising hopes for preventing specific types of HPV in women. Many people have heard about the vaccine but don’t necessarily know a lot about it or HPV. Here is some information to help you break it down.
HPV is transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact and primarily through unprotected anal, oral, or vaginal sex. This means that if someone has HPV and is having sex once the skin in their genital area touches a partner’s genital area the virus can be transmitted.
Most types of HPV are asymptomatic, meaning someone with HPV doesn’t see or feel any symptoms. There are some types of HPV that cause genital warts, and some types that cause abnormal cell changes on the female’s cervix which is called dysplasia. The types of HPV that cause dysplasia, if left untreated for many years, can sometimes lead to cervical cancer. These signs of HPV can appear within weeks, months, or years after a person has been exposed to HPV. In many cases, however, dysplasia will not develop into cervical cancer, especially if a doctor is monitoring it. Over time, the healthy immune system kicks in and the body can get rid of the virus and start to reproduce normal cells again. For the majority of people it takes the body within two years to make brand new healthy cells.
Genital warts appear in the genital area, which includes the vagina, vulva, cervix, penis, anus, buttocks or inner thighs. They usually do not hurt or itch. It is important to know that the types of HPV that cause genital warts do not ever lead to cancer. Here are some other important facts on HPV:
For more on HPV, check out our HPV basic information section.
Now that you know some information about HPV here is some information on one of the leading advances to prevent HPV, Gardasil.
Gardasil protects females against four specific types of HPV: two of the major types that can lead to cervical cancer and two of the types that can cause genital warts. The vaccine comes in 3 doses that you receive within a 6 month period. This particular vaccine is not like the flu shot. The vaccine does not contain the live virus, but actually something that imitates it, which builds immunity. The vaccine becomes effective once a female has taken all 3 doses of the shot. If she happens to forget to take any dose of the shot she has to call her doctor right away and let them know more or less the amount of time that has gone by. If less than a month has gone by then she might still be able to get the dose she has missed. If more than a month has gone by, then the doctor will decide whether or not she has to retake the dose.
Normally females ages 9-26 receive the vaccine because it’s most effective before a girl’s first sexual encounter. Under special circumstances, females over the age 26 are able to receive the shot. Also, females who have had some type of HPV during their lifetime are encouraged to get the vaccine, because it can protect them from getting the four types that I mentioned before. It’s important to understand that Gardasil does not treat HPV, and if a female is pregnant then she should not get the vaccine. When a female is about to receive the shot there is a consent form that she fills out. The consent form also provides information about Gardasil for her to read up on in case she has any questions or any concerns while she’s at the doctor’s office. Some states require parental consent for a teen under 18 to get Gardasil. In New York City a minor (under 18) is allowed to get free and confidential services, and does not need the consent of a parent. Check your state’s health regulation laws for more information.
If you decide to get Gardasil there are a couple things you should know ahead of time.
Many people are still hesitant about the vaccine even with the approval of the FDA. The FDA has approved the vaccine, Gardasil, to be effective in the prevention of the four types of HPV. To educate people on HPV and the vaccine, the creators of Gardasil, Merck, have a series of commercials called “One Less” that you may have seen on TV. One of the commercials for the vaccine depicts moms and their daughters being open with one another about the vaccine. When I spoke to my mom about the vaccine and I asked her opinion on the shot and she said “I think you should do some research before you decide to get the shot.” A lot of moms are feeling the same way, which is why talking to your doctor is important to see if getting Gardasil is right for you.
HPV affects a lot of women and it’s important for it not to take over your life. If you have HPV, there are blogs, or message boards, and support groups that you can go to and talk to people who are going through a similar situation. Be sure to be careful if you do decide to post any information about yourself. Use a different name just to keep your identity as safe and anonymous as possible. For more factual information, make sure you go to reputable websites that can give you accurate information about the vaccine and the human papilomavirus. Here are some helpful websites that I have found about the vaccine that are clear and easy to read click here. Talking to your doctor and making regular appointments for Pap smears will help keep track of your HPV status.
There are places that give the vaccine to teens for either a lower cost or free like here at the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center (link to The Center page). There are also insurance companies that will pay for the vaccine, but contact your insurance company if you have any questions. So the next time you go to the doctor, make sure to ask them about HPV and Gardasil and don’t forget your annual GYN exam.