Let’s STOP the Stigma Around HPV

𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐚 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐮𝐬 (𝐇𝐏𝐕)

An estimated 𝟖𝟎% of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives.

𝘏𝘗𝘝 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘦𝘹𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

There are over 100 types of HPV.

It is possible to be infected and have no symptoms. There is no way to find out how long a particular infection has been present or trace it back to a particular partner. An HPV diagnosis only means that a person contacted an HPV infection at some point in their life, but not that your current partner necessarily gave it to you or cheated on you.

𝐇𝐏𝐕 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 JUST 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚. 

It can cause:

• Cervical cancer

• Vulvar and vaginal cancer

• Precancerous lesions to cervix, vulvar, vagina

• Genital warts

• Anal cancer

• Throat cancer and cancer to back of mouth (yep, oral sex - have you heard of dental dams for protections?)

𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐏𝐕 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐛𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐢𝐟 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝?

Gardasil 9 products against 9 types of HPV. 7 high-risk (cancer causing) and 2 low-risk (genital warts) types.  You may have been exposed to one but not the other. So, yes!

𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐏𝐕 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟔 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐚𝐠𝐞?

Yes! The vaccine is indicated for ages 9 through 45 years.

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐏𝐕 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐞?

HPV vaccines are among the most effective vaccines available worldwide. 99% efficacy when administered to those not exposed to that particular type of HPV.

𝐃𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐇𝐏𝐕?

Studies have shown condom use lowers the risk of HPV infection but condoms leave the base of the penis, scrotum, vulva, anus and perineum uncovered and contact between these areas can transmit HPV.

NO SHAME. JUST FACTS.