Talking to your doctor about HPV, or any illness in particular, can sometimes feel daunting. However, it is also one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself from infection. Read on to learn more.
What is HPV?
HPV, or human papillomavirus is a fairly common viral infection that usually affects the skin. Most cases of HPV are harmless and tend to go away on its own. Common warts, for example, are caused by an HPV infection1.
However, there are also strains of HPV that can lead to more serious health concerns. Some types of genital HPV can cause genital warts, and can also cause certain types of cancer.
How can you get infected with HPV?
HPV is passed through skin-to-skin contact. This means that being in contact with someone who has HPV can potentially cause an infection.
HPV can also be passed through sexual intercourse. In fact, HPV is one of the most common types of sexually transmitted infections. Sexually active people who have not been vaccinated against HPV will probably get HPV at some point in their lives, though most won’t even know they have it2.
What complications does HPV lead to?
Some high-risk strains of HPV have been linked to different types of cancers. Cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers being the most common among these.
HPV has also been known to cause anal, penile, and mouth and throat cancers.
Getting infected with HPV, especially genital HPV, doesn’t mean that you will automatically get cancer. But there is an increased risk for cancer if you are not protected.
Why do you need to talk to a doctor?
There are a number of reasons why talking to your doctor about HPV is important. Here are just some of these reasons:
It helps with early detection
One thing to know about HPV is that it usually does not cause any symptoms3. This means that you may already be infected with HPV and not even know about it.
Early and/or regular screening can help detect HPV and aids with early intervention against this disease.
It can help with prevention
Consulting your doctor helps you know what to do to prevent HPV. These days, there are different vaccines available that can help lower your risk for an HPV infection4. Getting vaccinated significantly decreases your risk for HPV and HPV-related cancers.
How to talk to your doctor about HPV
It’s perfectly normal to be nervous when bringing up a topic like HPV with your doctor. However, it is important to know that your doctor is here to help you, not judge you.
Being prepared before your appointment can help you become less nervous. Here are some things to consider:
Take note of questions that you might have
It’s a good idea to list down some questions about HPV that you might have. This way, you won’t forget anything that you might have wanted to ask your doctor about.
Some basic questions include:
- What is my risk for HPV?
- What happens during an HPV test?
- If I have HPV, does my partner have HPV as well?
- Are there any signs or symptoms to watch out for?
- Does my child need to get tested for HPV?
- How long does the HPV vaccine last?
Don’t hesitate to ask about alternatives
Your doctor should give you a good idea of what you can do to protect yourself and your family from HPV. This includes giving you options and alternatives when it comes to testing and prevention of HPV.
If you’re worried about certain methods or options, don’t hesitate to ask for more information. In some cases, a thorough explanation can help assuage any fears you may have.
Additionally, you can ask your doctor about a different approach or way of doing things that you would be more comfortable with.
Key Takeaways
Learn more about HPV here.
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