HPV Vaccine Concerns

Studies of the HPV vaccine continue to show the vaccine adds protection from cervical cancer.  The CDC and researchers continue to encourage the vaccination of young girls and young women with the HPV vaccine.  Parents continue to have HPV vaccine concerns and worry about the safety of the vaccine and its long term effects.  More than 100 different strains of HPV exist; many cause genital and anal warts along with the other exposures of sexually transmitted diseases when a young woman is sexually active.

Being Sexually Active

Increased sexual activity is one of the concerns of parents for their daughters.  For some parents, the vaccine is seen asTeenage Girl with Backpack an invitation for the girls to become sexually active.  Increased studies and research continues to disprove this fear.  The HPV vaccine does not cause promiscuity or a desire to have sex.  Comparisons of girls that have had the vaccine and those that have not taken the vaccine have seen little of no difference in sexual activity or becoming sexually active.  These study’s findings are encouraging to parents to rethink the HPV vaccine for the daughter’s future health and the prevention of cervical cancer.

HPV and Cervical Cancer

In the US, cervical cancer claims the lives of ten women on a daily basis.  Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death for women that die of cancers.  The HPV vaccine is highly effective in preventing the changes in the cervix that have shown to be the pre-malignant or pre-cancerous cells.  These are the first changes that are found from pap smears that can lead to cervical cancer.  The HPV vaccine, even with the parental concerns, increases the protection from acquiring cervical cancer and other diseases that are related to the HPV types of infections.

HPV Vaccine

The Center for Disease Control along with the FDA monitors the safety of the HPV vaccine.  There is a three shot series that is to be taken by the young girls and young women.  Many insurance policies are now covering the shot series as a preventative measure.  The age of the girls can begin as early as 10 years to the age of 26 years when not vaccinated earlier in life.  Some recent research has suggested that a series of two shots may be just as effective.  A parent considering the HPV vaccine for their daughter should have an open discussion with a physician and discuss their HPV vaccine concerns.  The HPV vaccine helps protect women from cervical cancers.  The vaccine is not a protection against all sexually transmitted diseases.  When sexually active, practice safe sex by using condoms during all sexual explorations.  Have annual check-ups that include pap smears and STD testing to maintain good health as well as early detection of infections and diseases.  Health care continues to improve ways to stay healthy, STD testing and seeking medical care professionals when there are concerns protects one’s sexual future.

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