HPV is a common disease, and is an unfortunate fact of life if you want to live a full, sexually active life. However, there are concrete steps you can take to make yourself safe from infection. There are also some things you can do to protect yourself from serious health consequences once you have already acquired the HPV infection. Knowing about how the disease works, and about your options, can make you safe and help you feel in control of your health.

1. The most important step in keeping yourself protected from genital HPV or from any STD, is to know the facts. This is especially important with HPV because there is so much bad information and just plain inaccuracies out there. Protect yourself by reading up on HPV from reliable sources, such as literature you receive from your doctor, or reputable on-line resources such as the Centers for Disease Control, the U.S. Cancer Institute, the Mayo Clinic, and your local health clinics. Don’t rely on well-meaning friends, sexual partners, or rumors to get your information. Know the facts, and you have already given yourself some great ammunition toward real protection.
2. Limit your sex partners, and extend the age at which you may become sexually active if you haven’t already done so. Incidence of HPV infection has been shown to be directly related to the number of sex partners an individual has. Also, it is increasingly apparent through research that the younger a person is, the more likely there is to be HPV infection present. Researchers have found this trend consistently: it is unknown whether this is occurring because today’s youth are more likely to have multiple partners, or some other factor. But many researchers have suggested that there may be something in a young persons physiology – by “young” we mean under 30 – that predisposes him or her to being more vulnerable to certain diseases, including HPV infection. At any rate, the trend is a fact, and if you are young you should keep it in mind when choosing when and with whom to become sexually active.
3. Protect yourself by practicing safe sex. Although most birth control methods will not protect against HPV transmission – since it is transmitted skin to skin – you can protect yourself to some extent by using a condom every time. Keep in mind that since both oral and anal sex involve skin to skin contact, as does some heavy petting, these sexual practices can also result in your acquiring HPV.
4. One really great way to keep yourself safe is to take good care of your health. Get regular annual checkups and be up front with your doctor about your sex life, so that he or she can check for signs of any problems associated with HPV or other STDs. The more accurate and thorough information you give your doctor, the better your doctor can take care of you.

Researchers have uncovered over 35 different types of HPV that infect the genital tract, and of these, at least 15 are known to lead to cervical cancer. The most dangerous strains, #16,  #18, #31 and #45 account for over 70% of all cervical cancers. HPV is also known to cause cancer in the vulva, vagina, anus, head and neck.

What Is HPV?

Genital HPV (human papilloma virus) is the most common sexually transmitted disease and it’s believed that up to 70% of women will have come into contact with HPV by the time they’re 60 years old.

Most women may never show any signs of HPV infection and their immune system fights off the virus. However, for a number of women, certain strains of HPV can lead to genital warts, which are a clear indication that she has come into contact with a sexual partner who has HPV.

While genital warts can be embarrassing, unsightly and often painful, the strains of HPV that are responsible for this type of infection are different from the strains that can develop into cervical cancer.

HPV causes normal cells to become abnormal. These abnormalities can present in the form of genital warts, which often appear within weeks or months of infection. However, it’s the strains of HPV that lead to cervical cancer which you need to be most concerned about. These infections can lay dormant in your system for many years and display no signs or symptoms. But over time, the infection alters cells in the cervix and by the time the cancer is detected in HPV women, it can be too late.

How to Protect Yourself Against HPV

Every year hundreds of thousands of women die from cervical cancer that is directly linked to HPV. The reason so many women die from this form of cancer is because the symptoms often go undetected for many years.

So it’s important to do everything you can to protect yourself from the risks associated with HPV. Let’s look at some of the steps you can take:

1. A HPV vaccine is available to girls and women between the ages of 9 and 26 which prevents the most common strains of HPV in women. In particular, the vaccine protects women against the strains which can lead to cervical cancer.

This vaccine is most effective on women who have had no previous sexual experiences.

2. The most effective HPV treatment is a regular Pap smear to test for any abnormal cells in the cervix. If you have the same sexual partner, or you are not sexually active, a Pap smear once a year is appropriate. After the age of 30, your medical practitioner may suggest you have a Pap smear every 2 or 3 years.

If you have a number of sexual partners, it doesn’t hurt to have a Pap smear every time you start a new relationship. Sure, Pap smears are a little uncomfortable, but a few moments of feeling uncomfortable is worth it if the results show abnormal cell development.

That wonderful new man you’ve just met may be THE ONE, but he may also unwittingly be THE ONE who is carrying a HPV infection he isn’t aware of, and it’s easy to pass that virus on to you.

3. Have a frank and open discussion with new sexual partners. Although it may seem embarrassing, it could save your life! If you have ever had an outbreak of genital warts, this type of infection can’t be cured so although you may not have any symptoms, you can easily transmit the virus to your partner.

Similarly, he may have been exposed to the virus and not know.

4. Practice safe sex. Although HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease, it’s only one of many, so practicing safe sex by using a condom can help protect you against a number of serious infections.

5. Keep yourself healthy and well. You can reduce the risk of contracting HPV if your immune system is strong enough to fight off the infection. But let’s face it: being healthy isn’t just about protecting yourself against HPV – it’s about protecting yourself from a number of infections that can attack your system if it’s not in good shape.

HPV and women can be a deadly combination, so ensure you read all the information you can about the risks and know how to arm and protect yourself at all times.

To put it bluntly, it’s not the 1950’s anymore, and it’s not a great idea to be shy or ashamed when it comes to talking to your partner about sex. If you’re a little bashful about it, remember, they talk about this stuff on daytime TV, so why be embarrassed over talking about it with the person you take to bed?

You should be willing to talk about every possible detail of your sex life with your partner, be willing to listen, and put no subject out of bounds. This is true when discussing more personal details of satisfaction, but especially true when it comes to issues of health.

If you have, or have had in the past, HPV, you need to tell any new sex partner before intercourse occurs. We know that all of this sort of clinical advice can be difficult to put to work in the real world. There’s no better way to spoil that “first time” mood than to say “Oh by the way, I have genital warts, but it’s all cleared up, now!”

What you need to do, then, is simply not be bashful about the sexual tension between yourself and your new potential partner. There are no set rules for this sort of thing, but as soon as sexual interaction becomes an open possibility for the future, say around the second date (or the end of the first, if you’re getting along incredibly well) it’s a good idea for both partners to divulge their sexual histories to one another. Get it out of the way early on so you don’t have to surprise anyone with it later.

Now, let’s say you’re clean, you’ve never contracted HPV or any other sort of venereal disease, so… do you need to have this talk?

Yes, of course you do. Having a frank talk about venereal diseases and sexual history isn’t just for your partner’s benefit, it’s for your benefit, as well. In the event that your partner does have HPV or another STD, you need to talk about it, and somebody needs to break the ice. That won’t always be the person who actually does have HPV. It’s not that somebody’s trying to keep a secret, but… can be embarrassing for someone who’s suffered genital HPV to willingly bring it up, so that puts the burden on your shoulders to get the talk started.

In this day and age, we’re not going to say “Ask your partner for a full list of the names and phone numbers of every previous sexual partner”, but some time does need to be dedicated to talking about this sort of thing. Know “where your partner has been”, as it were.

In short, educate yourself on HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases, and don’t be embarrassed. It’s a talk that every couple needs to have.

And remember that HPV isn’t a red light for a sexual relationship, it only means that you need to be careful. Remember that HPV can still be spread without any visible symptoms taking place, and even with a condom, so if you do contract HPV, talk with your physician before having sex again.

In fact, let’s forget about HPV for a minute and just consider this: If you eat healthy, you will feel better.

A lot of health food people get it wrong. Eating better isn’t about living longer, it’s not about avoiding foods that will “kill you” (no food can really kill you unless you’re suffering from serious obesity or blood pressure and cholesterol problems) it’s about making the years you have available to you more enjoyable. If you eat well, you will be in a better mood, as nutrition plays a vital part in maintaining mental health. If you eat well, you’ll be stronger, faster, less tired, you’ll feel more comfortable and look better in your own body, your skin will look and feel better, your bones will be stronger, you’ll get sick less often, and you will be happier. You will live longer, as well, but the real point is that, in the here and now, you can improve your quality of life by leaps and bounds by making a few simple dietary changes.

Fruits and vegetables

Here’s the basic rule of fruits and vegetables: There’s almost no such thing as too much.

You may have heard of the supposed “superfruits” which have become pretty trendy these days, but honestly, most of them aren’t much stronger than your average orange or apple. However, if an exotic flavour is enough to get you eating more fruits, go for it.

Look for fruits especially high in vitamin C, most obviously, the orange.

As for vegetables, try just switching sugary, salty snacks out with salads. Play around with different combinations and lighter dressings until you have something you like. Salads mainly provide fiber, which can help to keep your system clean and flush out excess waste. This can be enormously helpful in improving your immune system and preventing colon cancer.

Water

It sounds like a lot, but try to drink about a gallon a day. Water doesn’t contain vitamins or anything, but it works as a sort of lubrication for your body and basically improves all facets of your biological functions.

Protein

You do need protein to keep your immune system and your skin strong to help fight off HPV infection. Try to avoid red meat, though. Something to keep in mind, pork is actually one of the safest, healthiest meats available. It gets a bad name, and certainly, bacon is probably the worst food you can eat, but it digests more easily than beef and is less greasy. If you can get more protein from beans or fish, that’s even better.

Exercise

Nutrition only goes so far. You can have a perfect diet, but if you don’t keep yourself active, your immune system won’t be strong enough to deal with an HPV infection quickly and effectively. Stay fit. If you can make time for some daily situps and pushups, great. If not, at the very least you should take a walk every day.

Pap tests, also known as pap smears, can detect signs of cervical cancer early, as well as abnormal cells which may lead to cervical cancer, so that treatment can be more effective and less invasive. To put it simply, taking a regular pap test can save your life.

To be honest, pap smears are uncomfortable, as the process involves directly sampling cells from the outer opening of the cervix. Medical professionals will then look at those cells and be able to detect any abnormalities. As uncomfortable as it may be, there’s no excuse to neglect your health, and you will only need to receive one per year, at most, and perhaps fewer depending on your age.

The necessitated frequency of your pap tests will depend on a few factors…

Once a year

Women who are recommended to receive a yearly pap test include any woman under thirty years of age. The recommended first pap test should take place around the age of 21, or whenever you have been sexually active for at least three years.

Other women who should receive a yearly test, regardless of age, would include any woman who is HIV positive, as HIV increases the risk of cervical cancer, as well as anyone with a weakened immune system thanks to organ transplant or chemotherapy, and anyone who’s mother was exposed to DES, or diethylstilbestrol, while pregnant.

Less Frequently

Anyone age thirty or older who has been receiving annual pap tests over the last three years should talk to their doctor about spacing out their pap tests between two or three years.

Women ages 65 and older who have had no abnormal pap test results over the last decade should talk with their doctor about the possibility of not having to receive pap tests anymore.

Whatever you do, don’t just stop showing up for pap tests. Unless your doctor specifically tells you that you are no longer at risk of cervical cancer and do not need any more pap tests, continue receiving regular tests.

Reducing the risk

A number of factors can actually increase the possibility of cervical cancer. To list a few…

• You started having sex before you turned eighteen
• You sleep with several partners
• Your partner sleeps with several partners
• You suffer from an immunocompromised condition

Of course, you can meet none of the above factors and still be at risk. Cervical cancer can happen to anyone, and you absolutely must get a regular pap smear to ensure that, if it happens to you, you can catch it and treat it in the early stages.

A message to parents: It’s important to be open and honest with your kids about sex. It may be awkward and uncomfortable at first, but even if you disapprove of your teens becoming sexually active, you should at least make sure that they’re prepared, that they know how to practice safe sex, and if you have a daughter who has been sexually active for three years or longer, that you take her in for a yearly pap test.

The initial embarrassment will be over as soon as you jump the hurdle of opening up the dialog about sex, and it is not worth the risk to keep your teens in the dark about safe sex and pap tests.

Safe Sex and Birth Control

The first thing to understand about safe sex is that birth control and preventing STDs are not the same thing. Topical spermicide will kill most viruses, as well, but it doesn’t prevent the transmission of body fluids, and it won’t do anything if you’re having sex without a condom, which is why topical spermicide isn’t very common these days: It just doesn’t work so well.

Many other forms of birth control such as the diaphragm and birth control pills are pretty much useless against sexually transmitted diseases including the HPV virus.

The only way to prevent pregnancy and prevent STD and HPV transmission is with condoms.

Playing it Safe

If you and your partner have both been tested and are certain that you are completely disease free, you don’t necessarily need to use condoms and are probably safe to switch to the pill or some other form of birth control, but any time you are having sex with a new partner, and especially if you don’t know that partner’s sexual history, use a condom, every time.

In the past, condoms have received a… if you’ll forgive the pun… “bad wrap”. People complain that they lessen the physical sensation of intercourse, they argue that condoms aren’t effective, that they’re for nerds and so on.

Don’t Risk it

The truth is that if you are having sex without a condom, and you can’t verify that you and your partner are 100% STD free, it’s like playing Russian Roulette with your health. You cannot spot most STDs on sight alone, especially not HPV or HIV. Of the dozen or so sexually transmitted HPV types, only two will show external symptoms.

A recent study showed that around 75% of sexually active people will contract some form of HPV within their life. Luckily, most forms of HPV are relatively benign and many lay dormant without affecting the infected person for years, decades or even forever, but it’s not worth the risk. At least, not when coupled with the risk for HIV transmission, genital herpes, syphilis, and various other sexually transmitted diseases.

Beyond just using condoms, know your sex partners. It’s not a matter of morality or being prudish or anything like that, it’s a matter of health. If you have sex with multiple partners, don’t be ashamed of it, let your doctor know, talk about what you can do to prevent contracting STDs.

Have tests conducted every now and then and know for sure whether or not you’re safe. If you’re getting married, it’s actually quite commonplace these days to have an STD test conducted as a matter of business before the wedding.

Above all, don’t be careless. Keep condoms available to yourself. Even if you’re not currently sexually active, it’s easy to tell yourself “I’ll get them if I need them”, and then to not be prepared when the time comes. Keep condoms on hand, and don’t neglect to use them.

Common Warts

The old wives tale of getting hand warts from frogs is, well, it’s crazy talk. Toads and frogs won’t give you HPV. However, HPV can be spread quite easily if you don’t wash your hands regularly. Doorknobs, guard rails, even bar tops, anywhere hands meet surfaces is a potential carrier of HPV.

If you simply practice hygienic measures, you can seriously reduce the risk of catching common warts. Wash your hands, clean your doorknobs now and then, clean your countertops with disinfectant, and don’t swap socks and gloves with strangers.

There’s no 100% guarantee against catching HPV, but you can at least cut down on the risk tremendously.

Plantar Warts

One of the most common ways plantar warts are spread is through communal showers or walking around barefoot. HPV can survive on even flat dry surfaces for awhile, thanks to their protein shells, but they’re much easier to transmit on wet surfaces.

You probably don’t have anything to worry about if you have no cuts or abrasions on your feet, as the soles of your feet are pretty thick, and plantar warts generally need a break in the skin before they can sneak in and set up shop.

The best way to prevent plantar warts is to, well, just stay away from communal showers if at all possible, and don’t go outside without shoes on. Practice sanitary measures, use those tacky rubber shower slippers if you share a locker room at the gym, and don’t worry if people think you’re an eccentric because you spray the locker room shower floor down with disinfectant every time you need to bathe.

Genital Warts

As most of us know, genital warts are a sexually transmitted disease, spread through direct sexual context. It’s not very likely that you’re going to get HPV transmission through a toilet seat or anything like that.

The best way to prevent genital warts is, of course, by safe sex practices. This means knowing your partner’s sexual history, letting them know yours, and using condoms as long as there persists the slightest uncertainty.

Okay, many readers are now probably saying “Well I’m sure we’re safe, so to heck with condoms!” but it’s not so easy!

HPV can lay dormant in an infected person for several years. In fact, some people may contract genital HPV and never know it, because no outward signs of the virus are present. Yes, you can have genital HPV your entire life and never get a single wart. There is no way of telling for sure and being one hundred percent certain that a person does not have genital HPV without HPV testing being conducted.

It should be noted that even with condoms, there is no one hundred percent guarantee that HPV cannot be transmitted, not even counting the possibility of defective condoms. This is because HPV breakouts can occur on the scrotum or anus, and other areas not protected by the condom.  Spermicides don’t exactly have a perfect record when it comes to killing HPV, either.

There is no one hundred percent guaranteed way to prevent transmitting HPV, so it’s imperative that you get tested if there’s any doubt at all in your mind, and that you practice safe sex without exceptions.

An Ounce of Prevention…

As of the time of this writing, there is no way of curing HPV. There are ways to get rid of warts, but there’s no way to cure HPV. Someday, we might cure HPV, but for now, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of, well, you know.