Preventing HPV

HPV is a highly common health problem in the United States today, and though it affects both men and women, it is notorious for leading to cervical cancer in women. Fortunately, there are several ways people can keep themselves healthy and ward of HPV.

Vaccines

Vaccines can protect women against some of the most common types of HPV. They are given in three shots, and it is important to get all three to ensure the best protection. They are most effective when given before a person’s first sexual contact. For women, Cervarix and Gardasil are available to protect against the types of HPV that cause cervical cancer. They are recommended for 11 and 12 year-old girls, and for women from ages 13 to 26 who did not get the shots when they were younger. These vaccines can also be given to girls as young as 9 years old.

Lifestyle

Because HPV is sexually transmitted, it is important to practice safe sex to protect yourself from being infected. Condoms lower the risk of HPV, and they also lower the risk of developing HPV-related diseases, such as warts or cancer. But condoms do not fully protect against HPV. Another way to lower the chances of getting HPV is to limit the number of sexual partners a person has, but even with only one sexual partner, a person can still get HPV. This is also not 100% because most infected individuals do not know they have HPV, and the symptoms are not always present. T
No method of protection on its own can do the trick. Vaccines do not cover every single type of HPV, and the only behavioral choice that guarantees safety is abstinence. That is why the most proactive thing to do against HPV is to get frequent checkups and screenings.

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