Human papillomavirus in women: causes, symptoms and treatment

causes of the appearance of the human papillomavirus

Human papillomavirus (HPV, HPV- human papillomavirus) or papillomavirus is a group of infections that includes more than 100 types of viruses, 80 of which are pathogenic for humans. According to statistics from the World Health Organization, 70% of the world's population are carriers of HPV. In most cases, infection occurs after the onset of sexual activity and may be asymptomatic for a long time.

Causes of HPV infection

The symptoms of papillomavirus infection in women can be: various types of warts, flat and genital warts, cervical dysplasia. However, the most dangerous manifestation of pathology is the development of cervical cancer. There is also data linking the development of cancers of the anus, external genital organs, vagina with infection with certain types of human papillomavirus (HPV 16, 18, 45, 56 type).

Ways of transmission:

  1. Sexual contact.Is the main route of transmission of human papillomavirus infection. Using a condom during intercourse significantly reduces the risk of infection with the human papillomavirus, however, it does not provide a reliable guarantee that infection will not occur, since the viral particles are very small in size.
  2. Contact-household path.The causes of infection are the use of joint intimate hygiene products: towels, soap, use of a public toilet, a bath.
  3. Natural childbirth.HPV can be transmitted to children who become infected when a child passes through the birth canal of an infected woman.

The source of this infection are cells of the patient's skin and mucous membranes. In this case, a person himself may not know that he has become a carrier of the virus, since warts and papillomas can be microscopic in size and remain invisible during visual examination.

Predisposing factors that contribute to the development of a viral infection:

  • the beginning of sexual activity at an early age;
  • promiscuous sex without using a condom;
  • frequent abortions;
  • the presence of infectious diseases of the genital organs;
  • long-term use of oral contraceptive methods;
  • decreased immune response of the body;
  • non-observance of personal hygiene rules;
  • if the sexual partner has HPV;
  • exposure to frequent stressful situations;
  • bad habits.

Through pores, cracks, microtraumas of the skin and mucous membranes, the virus penetrates into the basal layer of the epithelium, which ensures normal growth and renewal of skin and mucous membranes. The DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of the basal layer cells carries information about the healthy structure of the cells. A viral particle, being incorporated into DNA, changes this information, resulting in the formation of affected cells, which, in the process of growth and division, cause symptoms of the disease.

Symptoms of human papillomavirus infection in women

how does the human papillomavirus manifest

One of the possible manifestations of human papillomavirus infection is the appearance of genital warts and papillomas. They are specific formations that have the appearance of a cauliflower, a bunch of grapes or a rooster's comb, pink-red or flesh-colored. Depending on the type and type of virus, they can infect the skin and mucous membranes of a person.

Genital warts can form around or near the anus, especially if there is anal intercourse.

Papillomas can occur on the skin around the fingers, toes, hands, around the eyes, armpits and scalp. They also sometimes form on the soles of the feet and cause a characteristic soreness when walking.

This type of disease rarely degenerates into a malignant tumor and cancer, however, in order to prevent the development of the disease, the formations are surgically removed.

Consequences of HPV infection

The human papillomavirus in women can lead to significant growths of genital warts, papillomas, flat warts, which will cause a feeling of discomfort, pain, and when they are injured, bleeding of varying severity may occur.

HPVs of the eighteenth and sixteenth types are the most dangerous, as they lead to the development of cancer. Cervical cancer, which has been reliably linked to infection with the human papillomavirus, ranks second among various malignant diseases in women. The mortality rate from it reaches fifty percent.

Flat warts

how to recognize human papillomavirus

The disease is characterized by the formation of flat plaques that practically do not rise above the level of the skin.

Most often, the mucous membrane of the vagina and cervix is ​​affected.

Cosmetic defect with them is much smaller than with genital warts.

This type of pathology has a higher risk of degeneration into cancer.

Dysplasia of the mucous membrane of the cervix

Pathology is a change in the normal structure of cells in the mucous membrane of the cervix, which is called atypia. This condition in gynecology is considered precancerous and requires observation and intensive treatment.

The disease in most cases is asymptomatic and is detected during a routine examination by a gynecologist. Dysplasia of several degrees of severity is distinguished: mild, moderate, severe. The choice of treatment method depends on the severity.

Cervical cancer

This is the most dangerous manifestation of the disease. Cervical cancer ranks second among tumor pathologies in women and is associated with infection with HPV types 16, 18.

The disease can proceed without clinical signs or is manifested by nonspecific symptoms: weakness, increased fatigue, weight loss, the appearance of spotting bleeding from the vagina outside the menstrual cycle.

Methods of disease treatment

If there are signs of HPV infection, given the danger of consequences, do not self-medicate.

To choose the optimal tactics of treatment, you need to consult a gynecologist, who, after a thorough examination and conducting the required tests, will prescribe adequate therapy.

Until now, no medications have been invented that would cure HPV forever. The main goal of treatment is to reduce the concentration of the virus in the body to prevent further progression of the disease.

Main areas of therapy:

  • treatment of manifestations (warts, papillomas, dysplasia);
  • antiviral therapy;
  • the use of funds aimed at increasing immunity.

In the presence of papillomas, genital warts, warts, areas of dysplasia, even of a small size, it is recommended to remove them, since the presence of neoplasms increases the concentration of viral particles in the woman's body, which contributes to the further progression of the pathology.

Surgical treatment

The methods of removing genital warts, papillomas, warts and dysplasia are as follows:

  • surgical;
  • cryotherapy;
  • diathermocoagulation;
  • laser coagulation;
  • radio wave therapy;
  • chemical attack.
surgical treatment of human papillomavirus

The surgical method consists in removing the growths with a scalpel, it is the cheapest method of treatment, however, after it a pronounced cosmetic defect remains and the healing period is significantly lengthened. There is also a risk of secondary infection. Therefore, this type of intervention is used in extreme cases.

During cryotherapy, liquid nitrogen is applied to the affected area, which freezes the pathological formation. After a few days, the papilloma or condyloma disappears and a small wound forms under it, which heals in 10-14 days.

Diathermocoagulation is the application of high temperatures to areas of the affected skin. This procedure is quite painful and therefore requires anesthesia. The disadvantage of this method is the formation of rough scars in place of pathological formations.

During laser coagulation, the impact of laser beams on the affected area leads to drying out of neoplasms. A dry crust forms in their place, which after a while disappears without leaving scars. This type of treatment is the most gentle, but its high cost is considered a disadvantage.

Radiowave therapy consists of exposing the affected area to radio frequency waves. When using this type of treatment, there are no risks of bleeding, pronounced scars are not formed, but the disadvantage is the high cost.

The chemical method is used when there is a small formation. A special drug is applied to the affected area. After several applications, a crust forms on the treated area, which disappears after a few days.

Drug Use

Drug therapy for human papillomavirus infection includes the use of the following groups of drugs:

  • antiviral drugs;
  • immunostimulants.

To reduce the concentration of the virus in a woman's body and prevent its further reproduction, a long course of antiviral therapy is prescribed. The drugs are used in the form of tablets and suppositories, the dosage and duration of the treatment course should be determined only by the attending physician.

Immunostimulants are prescribed after an analysis and detection of a reduced level of immunity in order to increase the body's defenses, accelerate the appearance of immune cells, and stimulate the production of antibodies aimed at fighting the virus.

Treatment of HPV infection in pregnant women

The presence of human papillomavirus infection in a woman's body does not affect the reproductive system and is not a contraindication to pregnancy. If an exacerbation of HPV occurs during pregnancy, therapy for this condition is not carried out during this period, treatment is prescribed after childbirth.

However, a woman must be monitored by a doctor for the entire duration of her pregnancy. With the development of severe discomfort, gentle methods of therapy are prescribed. In extreme cases, when there are contraindications for vaginal delivery due to the progression of HPV, a caesarean section is performed.

Getting rid of HPV with folk remedies

At home, you can use folk remedies such as herbal decoctions and infusions - for the treatment of papillomatosis, ointments - to get rid of the resulting warts, papillomas and warts.

Ways of preparing decoctions and infusions for the treatment of human papillomavirus infection:

  1. Horsetail, nettle herb, rose hips, dandelion roots, plantain leaves are mixed in equal quantities. At 3 st. l. Add 800 ml of water to the resulting mixture, boil for 10 minutes over low heat, then leave to infuse for 3 hours. Apply 1 glass 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
  2. Oregano herb, yarrow, immortelle, St. John's wort, birch buds, nettles, calendula, coltsfoot, burnet roots, chamomile flowers, string, plantain leaves, celandine, linden flowers, caraway seeds, sage are mixed in equal quantities. Pour 2 tbsp into a thermos. l. the resulting mixture, pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave to infuse overnight. Take 0. 5 cups 4 times a day.
  3. Valerian root, lemon balm herb, oregano, linden flowers, hop cones, motherwort are mixed in equal quantities. Pour 1 tbsp into a thermos. l. the resulting mixture, pour 0. 5 liters of boiling water and leave to infuse for 3-5 hours. Apply 250 ml 2 times a day.

For the treatment of local manifestations apply:

  1. Celandine juice. The juice is made from fresh leaves or purchased from a pharmacy. Before applying the product, the skin of the affected area must be steamed, and healthy areas near the affected area should be treated with a fat cream. Celandine must be carefully applied to the affected skin. The procedure should be repeated every two days for a week until the pathological formation disappears.
  2. Garlic. The vegetable should be grated on a fine grater and mixed with skin cream until a viscous consistency is formed. Apply the resulting mixture to areas of formations for 2-3 hours every day for a month. After the procedure, wash the skin with soapy water.
  3. Young walnuts. They must be crushed using a meat grinder, pour the resulting mixture into a 0. 5-liter glass jar so as to fill 2/3, pour the rest of the container with kerosene. Leave to infuse for 20 days, then strain through cheesecloth. Infusion to treat the affected skin 2 times a day.

After the therapy and getting rid of the external manifestations of HPV, a woman needs to visit a gynecologist every six months to monitor and prevent further progression of the disease.