I want to know which wart-removing medicine is safe in pregnancy. They also wanted to know if intercourse during pregnancy would increase the chance of HPV transmission to the fetus. Almost all women interviewed reported being advised to take the HPV vaccine. Participants knew little about the safety of the HPV vaccine mostly Gardasil in pregnancy. Women who wanted to get pregnant preferred not to become pregnant until they completed the vaccine series.
Doctor recommended postponing vaccination until after pregnancy. But I'd rather to get vaccinated first. Some reproductive concerns unrelated to pregnancy have reported in the third category. Five challenges discussed in this category were breastfeeding, contraception method, premature menopause, cervical cancer, and familial cancer.
Two women mentioned the likelihood of passing HPV to a child through breast milk or early nursing. Does breastfeeding cause mouth warts? Should we avoid breastfeeding? To avoid unplanned pregnancies, women with HPV needed more information to choose preferable contraception.
As long-term use of birth control pills increases the cervical cancer risk for women with persistent HPV, users recommended changing their contraception method. Women were worried about the negative impacts of combined oral contraceptives COCs and levonorgestrel LNG pills on their cellular changes. I don't know if they can weaken my immune system. I read online that birth pills may induce cervical cancer. Are the emergency pills as harmful as the COCs?
They said I have to stop taking them. I don't know what to do. My husband does not use a condom. Some women in a monogamous relationship reported they or their husbands are reluctant to use a condom.
A few women over 40 who had no pregnancy intention mentioned concerns about early menopause. Testing positive for high-risk HPV genotypes and abnormal cytology have made these participants fearful of premature ovarian insufficiency.
I've tested positive for HPV I feel that my periods get missed and irregular due to this disease. Could this virus cause me to menopause? I'm worried I'm in menopause. I don't like to get there. Another stated: "I had a hysterectomy last year because of fibroids and heavy periods. They hadn't removed my ovaries. One of the most common concerns of women tested positive for HPV was cervical cancer that has described in a different manuscript as the psychological response to HPV diagnosis.
A context-specific finding that seems specific to societies that adhere to cultural principles was fear of cervical cancer in virgin single women. Since vaginal virginity is a matter of prestige in most parts of Iran, they reported engaging in sexual intercourse without vaginal penetration. Two virgin women have expressed concern about cervical cancer following an ascending HPV infection from the perineum to the cervix. After getting genital warts and learning about HPV-related cancers, they were worried about cervical cancer.
One revealed that:. I was scared. My gynecologist performed so-called Girly Pap smear. She took a cotton swab sample from the end of the vagina for HPV typing and cytology.
Few women were anxious about the possible association between HPV and history of cancer in their female family members. I wonder her cancer was associated with HPV. We both have HPV. I'm scared what if it's a familial thing, and then I might get cancer too.
The present study aimed to shed some light on the reproductive concerns of women infected with HPV and found they have reproductive concerns and informational needs over the effects of HPV infections on male and female fertility potential, the success of ART techniques including IVF and IUI , fetal and newborn health, mother health and pregnancy outcomes.
Our participants had questions and worries about the presence of HPV in the semen and the impact of HPV infection upon male fertility. Our findings highlighted reproductive concerns in more details as mentioned above. Interestingly, the two participants who expressed the most concern over infertility were diagnosed with HPV We believe more research should be conducted on the relationship between HPV and infertility. Health care providers need to take these concerns seriously and consider referring women to specialized level.
Fertility fears about the HPV-vaccination among women diagnosed with HPV have been reported in a qualitative study [ 17 ]. Our participants expressed their fear of losing fertility after getting HPV vaccine. It can be due to considerable media attention to the safety of the HPV vaccine. In the present study, the participants feared that the accidental injection of the HPV vaccine during pregnancy would cause adverse pregnancy outcomes or harm to the fetus.
Women should be informed by healthcare providers that although pregnancy testing is not necessary before the vaccination, the vaccine manufacturers and WHO recommend avoiding HPV vaccination during pregnancy.
In cases of unintentional immunization of pregnant women, no intervention is needed [ 36 , 37 ]. In agreement with other studies, our participants mentioned fertility concerns about conservative treatment for CIN like LEEP and conization [ 22 , 24 , 34 ]. Research has yielded mixed results, but one study indicates that fertility is not affected by a LEEP [ 38 ]. Pregnancy concerns were the second category extracted from the interview data.
Women mentioned that worrying about the adverse effects of pregnancy on their health was the main reason they decided not to get pregnant. In a mixed-method study conducted in the United States, 30 of 94 women who planned on getting pregnant indicated that their HPV test results would change their future pregnancy plans [ 39 ]. Women infected with HPV needed to know what they need to do to have a healthy pregnancy.
They may also face barriers seeking and obtaining information to address their reproductive concerns [ 36 ]. In line with our findings, two studies also indicated concerns about the association between HPV infections and adverse pregnancy outcomes such as spontaneous abortion and preterm delivery [ 22 , 34 ].
In conjunction with Pourmohsen's study, maternal-to-fetal HPV transmission was a common concern, especially among married who had the pregnancy plans. Women interviewed thought natural childbirth may pose a transmission risk to a newborn.
Another qualitative study reported this concern [ 22 ]. Although there is still controversy about adverse effect of HPV on pregnancy outcomes, women may worry about these issues and physicians need to address these concerns.
Most participants reported being highly concerned about the safety of wart-removing medications and diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for cervical cell changes during pregnancy. They asked about the safest way to remove GWs. In a study, CO2 laser vaporization has been suggested as a safe, simple treatment for warts during pregnancy [ 40 ]. Almost all interviewed women had been recommended to use a condom.
Most married reported that they or their husbands are reluctant to use a condom. They wanted to know why constantly using condoms is essential while they already are HPV-infected.
Caregivers should also explain why they recommend using a condom. Some women with a history of taking hormonal contraceptives pointed out they have been recommended to stop taking combined hormonal pills. HPV-positive women raise some concerns about choosing their contraceptive method.
Although, to conclude causality between COCs and HPV lesions, more studies are needed [ 16 ], particular attention should be given to discuss contraception methods with HPV-positive women. Such richness from the interviews revealed unexpected concerns such as fear of having an ovarian tumor and getting cancer because of a family history of cancer. They considered HPV to be a familial carcinogen factor. Similar concerns indicated by another study [ 41 ]. The only context-specific finding was the fear of cervical cancer in single virgin women.
Communities define 'virginity' in the different ways. In our society intact hymen determines someone's virginity. To reassure these women, doctors take a so-called "Girly Pap smear" from the upper part of the vagina with a cotton swab. Our findings revealed misconceptions regarding the relationship between non-penetrative sex and STIs among single women.
These women still followed up with the gynecologist but did not have a proper pap-smear and hence may miss out on the opportunity of being diagnosed properly. In previous studies, the reproductive concerns of HPV-positive people had been discussed as a part of emotional and psychological responses to HPV diagnosis.
Our findings are noteworthy because as far as we are aware, this is the only qualitative study in which reproductive concerns of HPV-positive women have received particular attention. Furthermore, women with diversity in HPV genotypes both high-risk and low-risk were interviewed. As queries about sexual health were part of the interview content, they will be discussed in another manuscript entitled "Sexual life of HPV-positive women.
However, this referral clinic is likely to reflect other clinics in Iran since it covers a varied population. Possibly women who were interested in the topic decided to participate, and it applies to all qualitative research. Unlike previous studies that women with genital warts are often excluded, a subset of our participants was HPV-positive women who had GWs. It is worth noting that these women may have additional concerns that must not be overlooked.
Moreover, the relative weight or importance of themes and categories is not always apparent. The credibility of the process is demonstrated in the sentiments stated in the data set, suggesting that the extracted concerns may be transferrable to other settings. An additional strength is that this paper complies with the COREQ checklist designed for the reporting of qualitative studies [ 42 ]. The findings of this qualitative study suggest HPV-positive women's concerns about the possible effect of HPV on male and female fertility, pregnancy outcomes, mother and child health, breastfeeding and contraceptive methods.
In these situations, cesarean delivery may be recommended — it is best to discuss the possibility of this with your doctor or midwife. The risk of passing HPV to your baby is extremely low; most of the time, babies born to women with genital warts will not be affected.
Very rarely, genital warts may be passed on to the baby, which can result in medical conditions. They might develop warts in their mouth or throat several weeks after birth, and have problems with breathing. If you are concerned about the risk of this, you can speak to your doctor.
Ultimately, genital warts have little to no impact on pregnancy, conceiving or childbirth for the majority of women. However, it is always best to inform your doctor of your history of HPV and genital warts during your pregnancy journey — they will be able to monitor your condition and advise you on the best course of action if you are concerned about genital warts or struggling with discomfort.
For more information on genital warts, you can read our genital warts guides. Or browse all treatments or conditions. Scott is one of the two founders of The Independent Pharmacy. He is a registered pharmacist and the registered manager of our service with the CQC. How do genital warts affect pregnancy? What treatments are available to pregnant women?
However, if you do really want to treat genital warts during your pregnancy, there are options: Freezing warts using liquid nitrogen Surgically removing warts Using laser currents to burn off warts It is normally advised that you avoid topical treatments and medical creams like Warticon because of the risk of side effects that could impact your pregnancy. Is my baby safe if I have genital warts while pregnant?
How do you treat genital warts during pregnancy? These are questions no expecting mother wants to ask. Pregnancy can be a beautiful and exciting time for expecting mothers and families.
For those who see a doctor regularly, practice good nutrition, and prioritize health, the stress and worry that sometimes accompanies pregnancy may decrease significantly. These steps for health are especially necessary for those with more serious health issues, either present before pregnancy or that occur during pregnancy.
Genital warts are one of these infections that if diagnosed will need to ensure that you and your primary health provider take the appropriate steps to maximize your health throughout the pregnancy. External genital warts are generally caused by certain strains of the human papillomavirus HPV.
Often those who contract HPV will not know because it did not present symptoms and resolved on its own. There are many strains of HPV, and some of them will result in the development of genital warts. These warts are very contagious and are easily spread from person to person via sexual activity.
These warts will show up externally around the vagina, anus, in the rectum, or on the cervix. The warts are usually soft and skin-colored, varying in size. Aside from occasionally itching, burning or bleeding, the warts are usually painless.
That's one reason it's so important for all women to get regular Pap smears and for those who have abnormalities to follow up with any necessary testing and treatment. HPV is unlikely to affect your pregnancy or your baby's health. If you have genital warts, they may grow faster during pregnancy, possibly from the extra vaginal discharge that provides the virus with a moist growing environment, hormonal changes , or changes in your immune system.
In most cases, the warts won't pose any problems for you or your baby. It's possible for you to pass the virus to your baby, but this doesn't happen very often. Even if your child does contract HPV, they are likely to overcome it on their own without any symptoms or problems. If your child gets the type of HPV that causes genital warts, they may develop warts on their vocal cords and other areas sometime in infancy or childhood.
This condition, called recurrent papillomatosis, is rare but very serious. You may be screened during pregnancy for HPV, depending on your age and the timing of your last Pap smear. Most women find out they have the virus if they develop warts or if they have a Pap smear. Since , American cervical cancer screening guidelines have included HPV testing as a part of routine screening for women aged 30 and older.
When you get a Pap test, your practitioner has the option of performing a pap smear, HPV testing, or both called co-testing. Depending on the kind of test you had done, if your results are normal, you will have a follow up test in 3 or 5 years. For women aged 21 through 29, HPV testing is only performed in the case of an abnormal Pap smear result. If your Pap smear is abnormal during pregnancy, your practitioner may examine your cervix and vagina with a special microscope in a procedure called colposcopy.
A colposcopy is no more uncomfortable than a Pap, though it takes longer. If your doctor sees suspicious changes in your cells, she may take a biopsy of the tissue, which can cause some temporary discomfort and bleeding.
If there's no evidence of invasive cancer, your practitioner will most likely wait until after you give birth to further treat the abnormal cells. Depending on your situation, the colposcopy may need to be repeated during your pregnancy. Your practitioner may follow up with another colposcopy about six to eight weeks after you give birth to see if the problem persists.
In many cases, the abnormal changes go away on their own after delivery, making further interventions unnecessary. There's no drug that can get rid of the virus.
If you have warts, your practitioner may decide not to treat them during your pregnancy, because they often get better on their own or even disappear altogether after you give birth. Two prescription products that women apply themselves are used to treat genital warts, but they're generally not recommended during pregnancy.
Don't ever try to treat genital warts with drugstore medications meant for common warts. There are various treatments, however, that can be used to remove the warts safely during pregnancy. If your practitioner decides removal is necessary, she may use a special acid solution, freeze them off with a liquid nitrogen solution, or remove them by laser, electrocautery, or surgery. You can reduce your chances of getting HPV by having sex only with a partner who has sex only with you and does not have any obvious warts.
Of course, your partner may not know if he or she has HPV and may be contagious without having symptoms.
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