Types of Treatment for HPV
HPV is a common medical condition that results in genital warts, pain and discomfort. In addition, the condition is highly contagious, and patients who suffer from HPV should contact a physician immediately to discuss a treatment plan. Because all patients are different, finding an effective management plan for your HPV is essential in regaining control and comfort in your life.
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What Is HPV?
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HPV, or the human papillomavirus, is a common condition. In the United States alone, the disease affects approximately two million people. In addition, there currently exist over 100 variations of the disease; of these, approximately one third are transmitted through sexual contact. In addition, over fifty percent of people will develop HVP at some point in their life. Recent vaccinations, including Gardasil, have been introduced to reduce the risk of transmission of certain types of HPV.
Symptoms
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HPV is generally characterized by genital warts, small sores that often appear around the genitals or mouth. In addition, HPV causes cell abnormalities, which can result in infertility and even cervical cancer in women. While relatively easy to treat, cervical cancer is often fatal if not diagnosed and treated immediately.
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HPV Without Symptoms
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Physicians can diagnose HPV even if there are no symptoms; generally this is done using a pap smear test, which tests cells swabbed from a woman’s cervix. A physician may also perform a colposcopy, a test that employs a magnifying device to examine the cervix, vulva and vagina. In most cases of HPV without symptoms, the condition clears on its own, usually within two years of detection. During this time, the patient is monitored closely by her physician.
Treatment for Tissue Change
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If a doctor finds abnormal cells in a woman after performing a pap smear test, this is usually indicative of cervical cancer or a heightened risk of developing cancer. Luckily, there are four treatment options for these patients. The easiest treatment option is for the patient to wait; often, cell abnormalities change, a process called cervical dysplasia or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, resulting in normal cells. This is the most noninvasive treatment option available to women diagnosed with HPV. The other three options are listed below.
More Invasive Treatment Options
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For patients with more aggressive cell abnormalities and for patients who wish for more immediate treatment, three more intensive therapies exist. The first, cryotherapy, involves freezing the abnormal cells with liquid nitrogen, which destroys them. An additional procedure, called conization or cone biopsy, removes the abnormal cell areas. Finally, LEEP, or Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure, removes the abnormal cells using a painless electrical current. In all of these procedures, physicians look to remove the abnormal cells and reduce the risk of cervical cancer.
HPV in Men
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While men cannot develop cervical cancer, the risks in men diagnosed with HPV are equally dangerous. In addition to developing genital warts, men afflicted with HPV can develop penile or anal cancer, often without any precluding symptoms. Although anal cancer is not the same as colorectal cancer, a common and often fatal form of cancer, male patients are advised to seek medical help immediately if they suspect HPV.
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