How to Become Pregnant With HPV
The Human Papilloma Virus, or HPV, is the virus that causes genital warts and is linked to cervical cancer. If you have been recently diagnosed with HPV or have had or been treated for genital warts in the past, you might be worried about your chances of getting pregnant, carrying a baby to term or passing the infection to your baby. Passing the infection to your partner is another concern many women have. While there are some pregnancy and fertility problems associated with HPV, in most cases there is little cause for anxiety.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Go to the doctor for yearly Pap smears and pelvic exams as soon as you are sexually active, even if you're not planning pregnancy in the near future.
-
2
Get your condition monitored regularly (usually every six months) if a Pap shows HPV or if you have genital warts. Your doctor will want to know if the HPV infection is progressing, and if there are any precancerous cells present.
-
-
3
Have any genital warts or precancerous cells treated as recommended by your doctor. In some cases, the abnormal cells or warts go away on their own. In others, you will need to have them frozen off (cryotherapy), surgically removed or treated with topical medications.
-
4
Have warts removed before you are planning to get pregnant, as you could spread the infection to your partner through unprotected sex. Have your partner checked and treated as well.
-
5
If you plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor that you have been treated for HPV. In rare cases, the treatment for genital warts affects fertility by damaging the cervix and reducing mucous production, making it harder for sperm to reach the egg.
-
6
If you are already pregnant, tell your doctor you have been treated for HPV. Occasionally, the surgical removal of warts or precancerous cells weakens the cervix, making miscarriage more likely. Your doctor will evaluate your condition closely as the pregnancy progresses.
-
7
Don't worry too much if you have genital warts and are pregnant. There is little risk to you or the baby. Sometimes pregnancy can cause abnormal cells to develop more quickly, but this usually resolves itself after the baby is born.
-
8
Have your doctor monitor your condition carefully if you have genital warts while pregnant. In rare cases, genital warts can block the cervix, making vaginal birth impossible. In very rare cases, the HPV can cause a dangerous throat infection in the baby.
-
1
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Image courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
