Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes the formation of papillomas, warts, condyloma acuminatum, and is a trigger for the development of cervical and throat cancers. Less commonly, it affects the mucous membranes of the mouth, esophagus, and conjunctiva of the eyes. According to the World Health Organization, the incidence of this infection has increased tenfold in the past 10 years. According to studies in the region, the prevalence of HPV infection in my country ranges from 29% to 45%. The medical community is particularly vigilant, as approximately one-third of isolated viral genotypes trigger the development of tumor pathology.
Classification of the course of papillomavirus infection
Once inside a woman, HPV exhibits different activities, depending on immune status. There are several variants of HPV infection, depending on how the pathogen behaves:
- undercurrent. The virus persists in the body but does not cause pathological changes in cells. No symptoms - the presence of microorganisms can only be determined using molecular biology research methods.
- HPV-Associated Inflammation Often, we talk about cervicitis or vulvovaginitis in the context of HPV, which leads patients to see a gynecologist. In the consultation, she can find: How to treat HPV in women. It should be understood that the virus itself does not cause inflammation, but rather creates the conditions for the activation of the inflammatory process.
- Condyloma acuminatum located in the anogenital region and on the mucosa of the genital tract is a form of PVI (Papillomavirus Infection) course, in which case it is necessary to remove the formation using modern surgical techniques. After surgical excision, laser destruction, cryo destruction, or radio wave coagulation, complex treatments are required to prevent complications and recurrence.
- Cervical dysplasia. May be asymptomatic or lead to hospital discharge. The severe form of the disease is a precancerous condition—to avoid this, it is more important than ever to properly understand how women treat HPV.
Classification helps physicians choose the most effective treatment strategy. Pathogen strains are also divided into groups based on their ability to cause neoplastic disease: HPVs with high, intermediate, and low risk of cancer. Of the 40 virus variants transmitted through sexual contact, 14 are classified as high and moderate carcinogenic risk: -16, -18, -31, -33, -35, -39, -45, -51, -52, -56, -58, -59, -66 and -68 types.
How does human papillomavirus spread?
In women, the prevalence of HPV infection reaches 70%. However, the presence of pathogens in the body does not imply disease. If a person has a healthy immune system, in most cases, an HPV infection is transient in nature - it goes away on its own within 2 years. If that doesn't happen, the question of how to treat HPV in women becomes relevant.
The main route of transmission of the virus is contact with:
- sex;
- vertical (from mother to fetus during labor);
- Home (when using a towel, razor, underwear).
Young people aged 13-30 are most at risk of contracting the virus. At first sexual contact, the risk of infection is about 60%. The virus can also enter the body without direct sexual intercourse. Girls are at the highest risk of contracting HPV, and so are the consequences. This is due to the particularity of the structure of its reproductive organs.
Human Papillomavirus in Women: Causes
In women, the prevalence of HPV infection reaches 70%. However, the presence of pathogens in the body does not imply disease. If a person has a healthy immune system, in most cases, an HPV infection is transient in nature - it goes away on its own within 2 years. If that doesn't happen, the question of how to treat HPV in women becomes relevant.
- Concomitant pathology of the reproductive system;
- endocrine disorders;
- immunodeficiency and beriberi;
- Common acute infectious diseases - SARS, other viral and bacterial infections;
- early sexual intercourse;
- abortion;
- smoking and drinking alcohol;
- Chronic psycho-emotional stress that weakens the immune system;
- Excessive physical and emotional stress and irregularities in daily life;
- Postpartum - due to stress and hormonal changes;
- Long-term use of immunosuppressive drugs and oral contraceptives.
Frequent sexual partner changes can also increase the risk of contracting new strains of the virus and activating existing infections. If immunity is reduced, the virus integrates into the cell genome, which carries a high probability of cancer - how to cure HPV in women at this stage of medical science is yet to be discovered. Therefore, it is important to control the activity of the virus and properly stimulate the immune defense.
First signs and other symptoms of HPV in women
The most obvious signs of HPV in women are papillomas on the mucous membranes of the reproductive organs and the skin in the anogenital area. They are not painful and usually go unnoticed for a long time. However, the activity of the virus can trigger the appearance of other unpleasant symptoms, so women contact their gynecologist immediately:
- Pathological vaginal discharge, accompanied by itching and burning;
- Frequent recurrence of vaginitis and bacterial vaginosis;
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
During the exam, doctors see benign structures on the skin, changes in the epithelium of the cervix, and signs of inflammation. Cancer can only appear in the later stages of chronic papillomavirus infection.
Is there a cure for human papillomavirus?
In order to understand how HPV is currently being treated in women, it is necessary to understand the treatments for human papillomavirus infection. Currently, HPV infection treatment is reduced to the following activities:
- Progress in preventing HPV infection;
- eliminate clinical manifestations;
- Stimulates systemic and local antiviral immunity.
No drug can completely eliminate the virus from the body. However, research in this area is ongoing -- physicians are focusing on the need for combination therapy for various HPV manifestations. Research in the field of genetic engineering has a bright future. Scientists are considering the possibility of "rewriting" the virus' code to self-destruct rather than spread. Reducing viral copies restores local immunity and eliminates chronic inflammation.
Physician information on the topic "How to treat HPV in women" is detailed in current clinical guidelines.
When do I need to see a doctor?
Women should have a preventive check-up with a gynecologist at least once a year. Also, it's time to see a doctor when any troubling symptoms occur:
- Tumors in the genital area;
- warts on other parts of the skin and mucous membranes;
- lower abdominal pain;
- unusual vaginal discharge or unpleasant odor;
- Itching, swelling, and redness of the genitals.
In the case of accidental intercourse, it is advisable to see a gynecologist. He will have tests, gynecological smears and smears to test for HPV.
If the papilloma occurs elsewhere in the body, a dermatologist should be consulted. When anal papillomas or genital warts grow, proctologist intervention may be required. This will help determine treatment strategies and which papilloma drugs should be prescribed for patients in specific cases for purchase at the pharmacy.
General regimen of treatment
The main weapon against HPV is a person's own stable immunity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention draws attention to the fact that in 90% of virus exposure cases, clinical manifestations do not appear due to the self-suppression of the virus by natural immunity.
Treatment of HPV infection should be comprehensive, aiming to:
- Treatment of concomitant diseases;
- Elimination of external manifestations of the disease - medically, if necessary surgically;
- reduce viral load;
- Stimulates the body's own defenses.
Chronic psycho-emotional stress, harsh environments, and comorbidities can reduce the ability of a woman's immune system to deal with the virus on its own. Some drugs have direct antiviral and immunomodulatory effects, helping to strengthen the body and reduce viral load. These modern medicines include active glycyrrhizic acid sprays obtained from licorice root. It helps stop the virus from replicating early and reduces the number of copies of HPV genetic material in the body. The tool has a special intravaginal nozzle that delivers the medication to the cervix and distributes it evenly along the vaginal wall. Antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy during the latent course of papillomavirus infection can prevent unpleasant symptoms and transform the infection into a more aggressive form. If the virus is causing changes in the genital area and cervical epithelium, the spray can help:
- relieve inflammation;
- eliminate itching;
- restore the integrity of the mucosa;
- Improve local immunity.
The use of this product has also been shown to reduce the activity of the virus and prevent recurrence during preparations to remove benign formations caused by HPV. The drug helps regenerate the skin and prevents the attachment of secondary infections.
Removal of papilloma and warts
Benign formations caused by HPV need to be removed and can be done by:
- cryodestruction - tumors exposed to cold;
- Electrocoagulation - high-frequency current therapy;
- Laser Removal - Exposure to laser light layer by layer until scabs appear;
- Chemical destruction - treating warts with a special chemical solution and destroying them;
- Surgical excision - Given the high risk of recurrence after such destruction, it is prescribed selectively if other methods are not available.
One of the new advances in the treatment of HPV is the CRISPR/Cas9 system, which cuts DNA almost completely and embeds parts of it, inactivating the virus for further spread.
prevention
For primary prevention, barrier contraception (condoms) is recommended, which, while not absolutely preventing HPV, reduces viral exposure levels. You should choose your partner selectively. If an accidental connection does occur, special sprays can be used to prevent HPV, herpes simplex, and cytomegalovirus infections.
HPV vaccination is by far the most effective. It protects against the most common and malignant types of human papillomavirus. In many countries, HPV vaccination is included in the mandatory immunization schedule. The most effective times for vaccination are during childhood and adolescence. Previously, it was thought that after 20 years of vaccination it was pointless. But recent studies have shown that HPV vaccination is appropriate and effective until the age of 45-47.
If a viral infection does occur, the task of secondary prevention is to keep the patient healthy, especially their immune system. Women should visit their gynecologist regularly to detect virus-related illnesses at an early stage.