Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes the formation of papillomas, warts, and cysts and is a trigger for the development of cervical and laryngeal cancers. Less commonly, it can affect the lining of the mouth, esophagus, and conjunctiva of the eyes. According to the World Health Organization, the incidence of this infection has increased tenfold over the past 10 years. In our country, the rate of HPV infection, according to studies in different regions, ranges from 29% to 45%. The medical community is especially wary due to the fact that about a third of all isolated viral genotypes cause the development of oncological pathologies.
Classification of papillomavirus infection
When entering a woman's body, HPV can exhibit different activities, which depend on the state of immunity. Depending on how the pathogen behaves, there are several variations of human papillomavirus infection:
- latent flow. The virus persists in the body, but does not cause pathological changes in cells. Asymptomatic - the presence of microorganisms can only be determined using methods of molecular biology research.
- HPV-associated inflammation As a rule, we are talking about cervicitis or vulvovaginitis against the background of the HPV virus, which prompts the patient to visit a gynecologist. In consultation, she can learn: how to treat HPV in women. It should be understood that the virus does not cause inflammation on its own, but facilitates the activation of the inflammatory process.
- Condyloma located in the anogenital region and on the mucous membranes of the genital tract is a form of the PVI process (papillomavirus infection), in which it is necessary to use modern surgical techniques to remove the formations. After surgical excision, laser ablation, cryosurgery, or radiocoagulation, complex treatment is required to prevent complications and recurrence.
- Cervical dysplasia. May be asymptomatic or cause discharge. Severe forms of the disease are precancerous – to avoid this, it's more important than ever to properly understand how to treat HPV in women.
Classification helps doctors choose the most effective treatment strategies. Pathogen strains are also divided into groups according to their carcinogenicity: HPV with high, moderate and low cancer risk. Of the 40 variants of the sexually transmitted virus, 14 are classified as high and moderate cancer risk: -16, -18, -31, -33, -35, -39, -45, -51, -52, - Types 56, - 58, -59, -66 and -68.
How is human papillomavirus transmitted?
In the female population, the prevalence of HPV infection is as high as 70%. However, the presence of pathogens in the body does not mean disease. If a person has a healthy immune system, then the HPV infection is, in most cases, transient in nature - it goes away 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 route of transmission of the virus is contact:
- sex;
- vertical (from mother to fetus during childbirth);
- household (when using a towel, razor, underwear).
Young people aged 13-30 are most susceptible to the virus. At first sex, the risk of infection is about 60%. The virus can also enter the body when there is no direct intercourse. It is girls who are most at risk of HPV infection, and then its consequences. This is due to the peculiarities of the structure of their genitalia.
Human papillomavirus in women: causes
In the female population, the prevalence of HPV infection is as high as 70%. However, the presence of pathogens in the body does not mean disease. If a person has a healthy immune system, then the HPV infection is, in most cases, transient in nature - it goes away 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;
- immunodeficiency and beriberi;
- frequent acute infectious diseases - SARS, other viral and bacterial infections;
- early sex;
- abortion;
- smoking and drinking alcohol;
- chronic psycho-emotional stress weakens 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.
Frequently changing sexual partners also increases the risk of contracting new strains of the virus and triggering an existing infection. If immunity is impaired, the virus will integrate into the cell genome, leading to a high probability of cancer - a cure for HPV in women at this stage is still unexplored by medical science. Therefore, it is important to keep the virus activity under control and stimulate the immune defense system properly.
The first signs of HPV in women and other symptoms
The most obvious sign to recognize the presence of HPV virus in the female body is the appearance of papillomas on the mucous membranes of the genital organs and the skin of the anal area. They do not cause pain and, as a rule, go unnoticed for a long time. However, viral activity can lead to the appearance of other unpleasant symptoms, therefore a woman should immediately contact a gynecologist:
- pathological discharge from the vagina, accompanied by itching and burning;
- frequent recurrent vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis;
- foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
On examination, the doctor found benign nodules on the skin, the cervical epithelium changed, and there were signs of infection. Cancer may appear 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 the approaches that exist in the treatment of human papillomavirus infections. Currently, HPV infection therapy is reduced to the following activities:
- prevent the progression of HPV infection;
- eliminate clinical manifestations;
- Stimulates systemic and local antiviral immunity.
There is no drug that leads to the complete disappearance of the virus from the body. However, research in this area is still ongoing - the focus of physicians is on the need for a combination treatment of the different manifestations of HPV. Research in the area of genetic engineering is promising. Scientists are looking at the possibility of "rewriting" the virus code to self-destruct instead of spreading. Reducing viral copies restores local immunity and eliminates chronic inflammation.
Information for physicians on the topic of "How to treat HPV in women" is now detailed in current clinical guidelines.
When is it necessary to see a doctor?
Women should have a preventive examination by a gynecologist at least once a year. In addition, the need to see a doctor arises at the appearance of any worrisome symptoms:
- tumors in the genital area;
- warts on other areas of the skin and mucous membranes;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- unusual or foul-smelling discharge from the vagina;
- itching, swelling, redness of the genitals.
In case of accidental sexual intercourse, you should see a gynecologist. The doctor will conduct an examination, do a gynecological smear and scale the teeth to detect the HPV virus.
If papillomas appear in other parts of the body, a dermatologist should be consulted. When papillomas or warts develop in the anus, the intervention of a proctologist may be needed. This will help determine what treatment tactics and papilloma remedies should be prescribed to a patient in a particular case when purchased at the pharmacy.
General treatment chart
The main weapon in the fight against HPV is the person's own stable immunity. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention draws attention to the fact that in 90% of exposures to the virus, clinical manifestations do not develop because the virus suppresses itself by autoimmunity. course.
Treatment of HPV infection should be comprehensive and aimed at:
- treatment of concomitant diseases;
- eliminate the external manifestations of the disease - medically and, if necessary, surgically;
- reduce viral load;
- Stimulates the body's defenses.
Chronic psycho-emotional stress, poor environment and comorbidities reduce a woman's immune system's ability to fight off the virus on its own. There are drugs, which have direct antiviral and immunomodulatory effects, that keep the body healthy and lead to a reduction in the viral load. These modern medicines include a spray with activated glycyrrhizic acid, which is obtained from licorice root. It helps prevent the virus from replicating prematurely and reduces the number of copies of HPV genetic material in the body. The device has a special nozzle in the vagina to deliver the medicine to the cervix and distribute it evenly along the walls of the vagina. Immunomodulatory and antiviral therapy during the latent stage of papillomavirus infection can prevent the appearance of unpleasant symptoms and the transition of the infection to more potent forms. If the virus causes changes in the genital area and cervical epithelium, the spray will help:
- reduce inflammation;
- eliminate itching;
- restore the integrity of the mucosa;
- increase local immunity.
The use of the product is also indicated in the preparatory phase of removing the benign tissues caused by the HPV virus, in order to reduce the activity of the virus and prevent the disease from recurring. The drug helps to regenerate the skin and prevent the attachment of secondary infections.
Remove papillomas and warts
Benign formations caused by HPV can be removed, which can be done by the following methods:
- cryodestruction - exposure to cold cytoplasm;
- electrocoagulation - treatment with high-frequency current;
- laser removal - layer by layer exposure to laser irradiation until scabs appear;
- chemical destruction - treatment with special chemical solutions is applied to the warts and destroys them;
- surgical resection - due to the high risk of recurrence after this removal, it is indicated selectively - if other methods cannot be used.
Among the new developments in HPV treatment is the CRISPR/Cas9 system, which almost completely cuts DNA and embeds parts of it, thereby preventing further spread of the virus.
Prevent
For primary prevention, barrier contraception (condoms) should be used, which, although not completely protect against HPV, will reduce exposure to the virus. You should be selective in choosing your sexual partner. If an accidental connection occurs, a special spray can be used to protect against infection with HPV, herpes simplex virus, and cytomegalovirus.
To date, the HPV vaccination is the most effective. It protects against the most common and malignant human papillomaviruses. In many countries, HPV vaccination is included in the mandatory immunization schedule. Vaccination is most effective during childhood and adolescence. In the past, it was believed that after 20 years of vaccination there was no sense. But recent studies have shown that HPV vaccination is appropriate and effective until ages 45-47.
If infected with a virus, the task of secondary prevention is to maintain the good health of the patient, especially the good condition of their immune system. Women should regularly visit a gynecologist to detect virus-related diseases in the early stages.