January is cervical cancer awareness month. With help enlisted from health expert Zoya Ali, Alice Wade gets the low down on one of most common STIs, HPV, and how you can protect yourself from it.

You will very likely be familiar with HPV. A not so desired guest to have at a dinner party but nevertheless, someone that even your nan might have held a seat to at some stage in her life. Yes, you heard me. Even your grandparents might have had a run in with human papillomavirus (HPV). Afterall, an estimated 8 in 10 people will develop it at some point, though many won’t even realise they’ve had it.

Like all things sexually transmitted, many of us will clench and wince at the mere mention of an STI, but that doesn’t mean these conversations should be swept under the rug. By creating conversation, we can learn how to protect ourselves, as well as alleviating stigma. As I said, statistically, at least one of your grandparents has probably had HPV before…

Though many of us will have HPV harmlessly at some stage or another, if gone undetected and untreated, it can lead to cervical cancer.

Here to help us understand this link and how you can best protect yourself is Senior Scientific Research Associate at Hertility, Zoya Ali.

How is HPV contracted? What are the symptoms?

Need I have said more when I mentioned that HPV is sexually transmitted? Guess what, it’s transmitted through various kinds of sex.

“It can easily be passed on during any genital skin-to-skin contact, and unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex,” Ali explains.

“There are many types of HPV, most don’t cause harm and the body is able to fight the infection on its own. However, some types can cause genital warts, while others may lead to cancers, including cervical cancer.”

Like any mysterious man (likely with a moustache), HPV can be pretty slippery when it comes to actually showing up. “HPV itself typically shows no symptoms, making it possible to unknowingly pass on the virus to your partner(s). If the infection progresses to cancer, then there may be some symptoms.” 

What is the link between HPV, genital warts and cervical cancer?

I imagine this is the point at which you’ve just clenched up and visibly winced but fear not, not all HPV is as scary as it sounds. Ali says: “There are many different types of HPV,  most don’t usually cause any problems and your body is able to fight off the infection naturally. However, there are some types called ‘high-risk’ types that are linked to an increased risk of cancers like cancer of the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus, penis, head and throat.”

Type 16 and 18 are most commonly linked to cervical cancer though fortunately we have a vaccine to fight against these.

“Just having a HPV infection doesn’t mean you will get cancer but persistent HPV infection can lead to changes in cervical cells, potentially progressing to cervical cancer if undetected and untreated.”

*Note to self, book the smear test.

How can people prevent themselves from contracting HPV during sex (and otherwise)?

Obviously, if you have taken a vow of abstinence (perhaps you’re reading this from a coventry), you’re probably on safe ground. But for those who are sexual frequenters, (or even not so frequenters) taking precautions is essential to protecting yourself.

Ali’s advice is the following:

“1. Get your HPV vaccination if you haven’t done so already. Depending on the type you get it will protect you from HPV types linked to increased risk of cancer and genital warts. This vaccine is recommended for people of all genders.

2. Don’t skip your cervical screening appointment. This can help in early detection and improve treatment outcomes.

3. Use protection like a condom to reduce your risk of exposure. As they do not cover all the skin around your genitals, they do reduce the risk, but not completely. (Research suggests condoms can reduce risk of infection by around 80%)

4. Get tested for STIs regularly. It is generally good practice if you are sexually active to get tested at least once a year. If you have multiple partners, you might be recommended to get tested every three-six months.

5. Open communication with sexual partners about sexual health and history is crucial.”

Whether you’re in a committed relationship, or spreading your sexual prowess far and wide, it’s important to note that it only takes one person with an HPV to transmit to another person. Even if you’ve only got a roster of one, use protection.

Can you stop HPV developing into cervical cancer?

Usually, many of us will never even know we’ve had HPV and, like most straight men, it will go away of its own accord.

“When HPV does not go away, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer. While there’s no cure for the virus, there are treatment options for the problems HPV can cause,” Zoya explains.

“If a test finds abnormal cells on your cervix, your doctor can monitor or treat them so they don’t turn into something more serious.”

And for tobacco lovers and those who’ve just taken the mob wife aesthetic very seriously, I’m afraid it’s not good news.

“People who smoke have been found to be twice as likely to develop cervical cancer as those who don’t; although we don’t fully understand why this is happening, it is possible that the chemicals found in tobacco weaken the immune system and the body is less able to clear the HPV virus.”

What are the symptoms of cervical cancer that people should be aware of?

“1. Unusual vaginal bleeding – including bleeding during or after sex, between your periods or after the menopause, or having heavier periods than usual.

2. Changes in your vaginal discharge - unpleasant smelling or blood stained.

3. Pain during or after sex.

4. Pain in your lower back, or in your lower tummy or pelvic pain.”

If some of these sound familiar, don’t panic. These symptoms are as vague as they get when it comes to women’s health so getting checked out by a professional is the surest way of getting to the root of the problem.

Is there any misinformation around HPV and cervical cancer you’d like to address?

“One common misconception is that only women and those assigned female at birth need to be concerned about HPV – people of all genders can contract and transmit the virus. Although there is a lot more awareness about HPV being linked to cervical cancer, it can also cause other types of cancers.”

“The latest HPV vaccine has been proven safe and effective in preventing HPV-related cancers and is recommended for people of all genders between the ages of nine and 45.”

So there you have it. Your revision on HPV is complete. Do not go forth and multiply but remember to use protection and for the love of god, book your smear.