HPV – MYTHS AND PRECAUTIONS HPV IS A SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE THAT CAN CAUSE CERVICAL CANCER IF LEFT UNTREATED. BUT CAN IT ALSO IMPACT YOUR FERTILITY OR PREGNANCY? HPV stands for human papillomavirus, a common sexually transmitted infection which usually shows no symptoms and goes away by itself, but can sometimes cause serious illness. The virus is spread through intimate contact with genital skin and can infect both men and women. Condoms offer some but not total protection from HPV as they do not cover all the genital skin. You can be exposed to HPV the first-time sexual activity occurs or from only one sexual partner. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and curable cancers. Cells in the cervix show changes or ‘abnormalities’ before any progression to cancer, which takes around 15 years. When left untreated, many sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can lead to infertility. However, HPV shouldn’t affect your ability to conceive. Although you may have heard that HPV can lead to fertility problems, that’s generally not the case. Some strains of HPV can increase the risk of cervical cancer. Removing cancerous or precancerous cells from the cervix can, in turn, affect fertility. The first HPV vaccine protected against the two high-risk HPV types (types 16 and 18), which cause 70 percent of cervical cancers in women and 77 percent of all HPV-related cancers in men and women. The HPV vaccine that is now most commonly used in Australia is Gardasil 9, available free of charge through the school-based National HPV Vaccination Program.
It protects against seven high-risk HPV types (types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58), which cause 90 percent of cervical cancers in women and around 90 percent of other HPV-related cancers in both men and women. Gardasil 9 also protects against two non-cancerous types (6 and 11) which cause 90 percent of genital warts. All boys and girls aged 12 to 13 should have the HPV vaccine. The vaccine is most effective if given before exposure to HPV that is before sexual activity commences. Testing for HPV to prevent cervical cancer Australia has one of the world’s lowest rates of cervical cancer mortality, thanks to the effectiveness of our National Cervical Screening Program, introduced in 1991. The Pap test was replaced with the HPV test in 2017. The Pap test used to look for cell changes in the cervix. The new test looks for HPV (a common infection spread during sexual activity) which can lead to those cell changes. The HPV test can detect high-risk HPV infections in cervical cells, sometimes before they cause abnormal cells to develop. Women aged 25 to 74 are invited to take the HPV test every five years, instead of a Pap test every two years. Cervical cancer is extremely rare in women under the age of 25 and the introduction of the HPV vaccine has been an effective means of protecting women against some of the leading causes of cervical cancer. 44 slim magazine Winter 2022
Dr Andrew Cary has 28 years’ experience in assisting women with pregnancy, gynaecology and IVF issues.
DR ANDREW CARY MBBS (QLD) FRANZCOG
Specialities: Fertility, Obstetrics, Gynaecology Get in touch for further information or to book an appointment.
Tel: 07 5597 3770 qfg.com.au and drcary.com.au
