HPV Vaccines now approved through age 45 and why you need to get on that!
I’m teaming up with Dr. Lara, a pediatrician, @drlaramd, to discuss how to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts with a vaccine you can receive as early as 9 years old! Let’s learn about this amazing vaccine today…
What is HPV or human papillomavirus?
It is a virus that can cause cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers and genital warts. It can also cause anal cancer. Well, that sucks!
Remember HPV is not HSV which is herpes simplex virus that causes herpes. They are different viruses, but I know some women can mix them up due to the similarity in their names.
What are some stats on HPV?
Believe me when I say it is VERY COMMON! I literally see at least 1-3 patients with a history of a past or current HPV infection in my office daily!
* ~80 million people in the United States are infected with HPV.
*~14 million people become infected with HPV each year.
*More than half on new HPV causes occur in people over 25 years of age.
How is HPV spread?
HPV can be spread through sexual contact with someone that has HPV. Intercourse is the most common mode of transmission, but any skin-to-skin contact involving the genitals can increase your risk. So yes, HPV is considered a sexually transmitted infection.
Will I have an HPV infection for the rest of my life?
So this is one of the number one questions I get asked daily. The answer is fairly simple but it is different for every individual. Most women who are young, healthy, non-smokers and not immunocompromised due to a chronic condition will clear the infection because your immune system will fight it off. It is those people whose immune system can’t fight it off completely that can get cancer, but of course, with different treatments, this can be prevented. One method of prevention is vaccination.
So what is the HPV vaccine?
Its brand name is called Gardisil. It is the only vaccine that protects against 9 types of high-risk HPV strains that are responsible for the majority of HPV-related cancers and diseases.
Who can get the vaccine?
It is approved for males and females starting at age 9 through now age 45. The results of HPV prevention were so promising in the younger population that the age limit was expanded.
How often do I need to get the vaccine?
Most people will get 3 doses. The second will be given 2 months from the first and the third will be given 6 months from the first. Younger children will get two doses.
What are the common side effects of the vaccine?
-pain, redness, itching or a lump where the vaccine was injected
-headaches
-fever
-nausea
-dizziness
-fatigue
-abdominal pain
-diarrhea
Very rare but fainting
Can I get the HPV vaccine while pregnant or breastfeeding?
There are no adequate studies of the vaccine in pregnant women, but of the available human data, there is no associated risk of major birth defects or miscarriages. As far as lactation goes, there is not sufficient data to assess the effects on breastfed infants or milk production.
So what’s the take-home point?
Consider getting the Gardisil vaccine mujeres. I got mine right before I turned 26 which was the age limit back in the day. Think about it, if you don’t get the HPV infection because your vaccines prevented it, you can avoid extra testing, colposcopies with biopsies of the cervix and excision procedures of the cervix which aren’t the worst things in the world, but hey if you don’t have to do those things anyone would be happier. It’s all about prevention!
And yes all three of my sons will be getting it when they become of age!
Xoxo,
Dr. E
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