HPV Vaccine Information For Young Women

HPV Vaccine is also called as Human Papillomavirus Vaccination, which is recommended for prevention of Cervical Cancer. The same is strongly recommended for the 11-12 yr old girls. There are three doses associated with the vaccination which is to be taken at a gap of 6 months. Cervical Cancer is one of the most common types of cancer affecting the Indian women. More than 1 million cases of the same are reported each year which consists of carcinoma in the lowermost part of the uterus. The signs and symptoms appear to post sexual activity and the risk can increase with multiple sexual partners. The following questions and answers help you to understand the importance and the need for the HPV Vaccination.

Why is Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine important?

Human Papillomavirus is a type of virus that can be transmitted through skin to skin contact through sexual activity. Majority of the sexually active people contract HPV infection some time or the other in their lifetime. They usually don’t come to know about the same due to their immunity levels. This infection is most common in people during their reproductive age – 20’s to 40’s yrs. At present there are around 40 types of HPV strains that have been identified, the majority of the same don’t cause an effect, while some are also known to cause rare types of cancers – cancers of the anus, penis, vagina, and vulva and oropharynx. Other types of HPV can cause warts in the genital areas of men and women, called genital warts. Genital warts are not life-threatening. But they can cause emotional stress and their treatment can be very uncomfortable. The HPV vaccine provides you protection against the above-listed cancers.

When should girls opt for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine?

The right age to opt for the HPV Vaccine is at 11-12 yrs of age. Women you are also between 13-26 yrs of age, and who are yet to begin their sexual life can also opt for the vaccination. Hence it is best that young girls be given the vaccination doses at the age of 11 so that they are protected in their life ahead. Please note that ideally, women need to take the vaccine before they begin their sexual life and before they are exposed to HPV. However, women who have already begun their sexual life may get fewer benefits from the vaccination.

How effective is the HPV Vaccine?

The HPV Vaccine provides protection against the common strains of cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, and oropharynx. It also provides protection against genital warts. The vaccine is less effective in preventing HPV-related disease in young women who have already been exposed to one or more HPV types. That is because the vaccine prevents HPV before a person is exposed to it. The HPV vaccine does not treat existing HPV infections or HPV-associated diseases.

What does the HPV Vaccine not provide protection against?

The HPV Vaccine provides no protection against sexually transmitted infections. Moreover, it provides no protection against new strains of HPV, the likely hood of the same is low, however not zero.