How to Know if You or Your Daughter Should Get the HPV Vaccine from Gardasil

For young women, the Gardasil vaccination, may be an excellent option in the prevention of disease. Here's how to decide if its right for you or your daughter.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. If you are a woman younger than 26 and older than 14, you are a good candidate for the vaccine. All others are not eligible to get the vaccine.

2. If you are sexually active, or if you ever plan on having sex, you should consider getting the vaccine since HPV is transmitted by sexual contact.

3. If you are concerned about getting cancer in your lifetime, you should consider getting the vaccine. Some genital warts will cause cancer later in life. Gardasil will prevent some, but not all, genital warts infections.

4. If you are concerned that the Gardasil vaccination has not been tested long enough, you should speak to your doctor about the possible risks related to the vaccination.

5. Genital warts may also be spread by sharing a towel with an infected person. It is important to remember good hygiene at the gym to avoid becoming infected.

Tips & Warnings

• Getting the vaccination does not prevent pregnancy, if you are looking for birth control, you should speak to your doctor about what method is best for you.
• Never feel pressured to either get the vaccine or not get the vaccine. The vaccine is a new product and should be considered carefully.
• The vaccine does not prevent all types of HPV.
• This vaccination does not prevent other types of sexually transmitted diseases.