Human papillomavirus (HPV) triggers the formation of papilloma, warts, condyloma and is a triggering factor in the development of cervical and laryngeal cancer. Less commonly, it can affect the mucous membrane of the mouth, esophagus, conjunctiva of the eyes. According to the World Health Organization, the incidence of this infection has increased 10 times over the past 10 years. The prevalence of HPV infection in our country varies between 29% and 45% according to studies conducted in the regions. The medical community is particularly wary of the fact that about a third of all isolated virus genotypes provoke the development of oncological pathology.
Classification of the course of papillomavirus infection
HPV entering a woman's body can show different activities depending on her immune status. Depending on how the pathogen behaves, there are several variants of human papillomavirus infection:
- latent flowThe virus remains in the body, but does not cause pathological changes in cells. There are no symptoms - the presence of a microorganism can only be determined using molecular biological research methods.
- Inflammation associated with HPV. As a rule, we are talking about cervicitis or vulvovaginitis, on the background of HPV, referring the patient to a gynecologist. In the consultation, you can learn: How to treat HPV in women. It should be understood that the virus itself does not cause inflammation, but creates conditions for the activation of the inflammatory process.
- Condylomas located in the anogenital area and on the mucous membrane of the genital tract are a form of the course of PVI (papillomavirus infection), in which it is necessary to use modern surgical techniques to remove the formations. After surgical removal, laser destruction, cryodestruction or radio wave coagulation, complex therapy is required to prevent complications and relapses.
- Dysplasia of the cervix. It may be asymptomatic or cause discharge. Severe forms of the disease are precancerous - to avoid this condition, it is more important than ever to properly understand how HPV is treated in women.
Classification helps the doctor choose the most effective treatment tactics. Pathogenic strains are also divided into groups according to their ability to cause oncological diseases: HPV with high, intermediate and low oncogenic risk. Of the 40 variants of the sexually transmitted virus, 14 are classified as high to moderate oncogenic risk: -16, -18, -31, -33, -35, -39, -45, -51, -52, -56, -58 , -59, -66 and -68 types.
How is the human papillomavirus transmitted?
Among the female population, HPV infection reaches 70%. However, the presence of a pathogen in the body does not mean disease. If a person has a healthy immune system, then in most cases HPV infection is temporary in nature - it disappears on its own within 2 years. If this does not happen, the question of how to treat human papillomavirus in women becomes relevant.
The main mode of transmission of the virus is contact:
- sexual;
- vertical (from mother to fetus at birth);
- household (when using a towel, razor, underwear).
Teenagers between the ages of 13 and 30 are most susceptible to contracting the virus. The risk of contracting an infection in the first sexual contact is around 60%. The virus can also enter the body in the absence of direct contact. It is girls who are most at risk of contracting HPV and have the consequences later on. This is due to the peculiarities of the structure of their genital organs.
Human papillomavirus in women: causes
Among the female population, HPV infection reaches 70%. However, the presence of a pathogen in the body does not mean disease. If a person has a healthy immune system, then in most cases HPV infection is temporary in nature - it disappears on its own within 2 years. If this does not happen, the question of how to treat human papillomavirus in women becomes relevant.
- concomitant pathology of the reproductive system;
- endocrine disorders;
- immunodeficiencies and beriberi;
- frequent acute infectious diseases - SARS, other viral and bacterial infections;
- early sexual intercourse;
- abortion;
- smoking and drinking alcohol;
- chronic psycho-emotional stresses that weaken the immune system;
- excessive physical and emotional stress, irregular daily routine;
- postpartum period - due to stress and hormonal changes;
- long-term use of immunosuppressive drugs and oral contraceptives.
Frequent switching of sexual partners increases the risk of both infection with new strains of the virus and activation of an existing infection. If immunity is reduced, the virus is integrated into the cellular genome, which entails a high probability of cancer - how to treat HPV in women at this stage of medical science has not yet been discovered. Therefore, it is very important to keep the activity of the virus under control and to properly stimulate the immune defense.
The first signs and additional symptoms of HPV in women
The most obvious sign of the presence of HPV in a woman's body is the appearance of papillomas on the mucous membranes of the genital organs and on the skin of the anogenital region. They do not cause pain and, as a rule, go unnoticed for a long time. However, the activity of the virus can provoke the appearance of other unpleasant symptoms, for which a woman will immediately contact a gynecologist:
- pathological discharge from the vagina, accompanied by itching and burning;
- frequent relapses of vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis;
- foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
On examination, the doctor sees benign formations on the skin, changes in the epithelium of the cervix, signs of inflammation. Cancer can occur only in the later stages of a chronic papillomavirus infection.
Is there a cure for human papillomavirus?
To understand how HPV is currently being treated in women, it is necessary to understand what approaches are available in the treatment of human papillomavirus infection. Currently, HPV infection treatment is reduced to the following activities:
- Prevention of the progression of HPV infection;
- elimination of clinical manifestations;
- stimulation of systemic and local antiviral immunity.
There is no drug that leads to the complete elimination of the virus from the body. However, research in this area continues - the focus of doctors is on the need for combined treatment of various manifestations of HPV. Research in the field of genetic engineering is promising. Scientists are considering the possibility of "rewriting" the viral code to self-destruct rather than spread. Reducing viral copies restores local immunity and eliminates chronic inflammation.
Information for doctors on "How to treat HPV in women" is detailed in currently available clinical guidelines.
When is it necessary to see a doctor?
Women should undergo a preventive examination by a gynecologist at least once a year. Also, the need to visit a doctor arises when any unpleasant symptoms appear:
- neoplasms in the genital area;
- warts on other areas of the skin and mucous membranes;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- unusual discharge or foul odor from the vagina;
- itching, swelling, redness of the genitals.
In a situation where accidental sexual intercourse occurs, it is recommended to visit a gynecologist. To detect HPV, he will conduct an examination, gynecological smear and scraping.
If papillomas appear on other parts of the body, consultation with a dermatovenereologist is necessary. When papillomas or condylomas in the anus grow, the intervention of a proctologist may be required. This will help determine the tactics of treatment and what drugs for papilloma should be prescribed to the patient in a particular case, to buy at a pharmacy.
General treatment scheme
The primary weapon in the fight against HPV is the stable immunity of the person himself. The American Center for Disease Control and Prevention points out that in 90% of the cases that come into contact with the virus, clinical symptoms do not develop due to the self-suppression of the virus by the natural immune system.
Treatment for HPV infection should be comprehensive and target:
- treatment of concomitant diseases;
- elimination of external manifestations of diseases - medically and, if necessary, surgically;
- reduction in viral load;
- stimulation of the body's own defenses.
Chronic psycho-emotional stress, poor environment, and comorbidities reduce a woman's immune system's ability to deal with the virus on its own. There are drugs that have a direct antiviral and immunomodulatory effect, help the body's strength and lead to a decrease in viral load. These modern remedies contain a spray containing active glycyrrhizic acid derived from licorice root. It helps to stop the virus from multiplying prematurely and reduces the number of copies of HPV genetic material in the body. The tool has a special intravaginal nozzle for drug delivery to the cervix and its uniform distribution along the walls of the vagina. In the latent course of papillomavirus infection, antiviral and immunomodulatory therapy can prevent the appearance of unpleasant symptoms and the transition of the infection to more aggressive forms. If the virus causes changes in the genital area and cervical epithelium, the spray helps:
- relieve inflammation;
- eliminate itching;
- restore the integrity of the mucosa;
- increase local immunity.
The use of the product is also indicated in the preparatory period for the removal of benign formations caused by HPV, reducing the activity of the virus and preventing relapses. The drug helps to regenerate the skin and prevent the attachment of a secondary infection.
Removal of papillomas and warts
Benign formations caused by HPV are subject to removal, which can be carried out by the following methods:
- cryodestruction - cold exposure to the neoplasm;
- electrocoagulation - therapy with high-frequency current;
- laser removal - layer-by-layer exposure to laser radiation until a crust appears;
- chemical destruction - treatment with special chemical solutions that are applied to warts and destroy them;
- surgical removal - it is prescribed selectively, given the high risk of recurrence after such destruction - if it is not possible to use other methods.
New advances in HPV treatment include the CRISPR/Cas9 system, which cuts DNA almost completely and embeds parts of it, thereby inactivating further spread of the virus.
prevention
For primary prevention, it is recommended to use barrier contraception (condoms) that will reduce the level of exposure to the virus, although it is not absolute protection against HPV. You should be selective in choosing a sexual partner. If an accidental link occurs, a special spray can be used to protect against HPV, herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus infection.
To date, the HPV vaccine is the most effective. It provides protection against the most common and malignant types of human papillomavirus. In many countries, the HPV vaccine is included in the mandatory vaccination schedule. The most effective period of vaccination is childhood and adolescence. Previously, it was believed that 20 years of vaccination does not make sense. However, recent studies have shown that the HPV vaccine is suitable and effective up to the age of 45-47.
If a virus infection occurs, the task of secondary prevention is to maintain the patient's health, in particular the good state of the immune system. Women should visit a gynecologist regularly to detect virus-related diseases in the early stages.