Human papilloma virus in women: causes, symptoms and treatment

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 to humans. According to statistics from the World Health Organization, 70% of the world's population are carriers of HPV. In most cases, the infection occurs after the onset of sexual activity and can be asymptomatic for a long time.

Causes of HPV infection

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

Transmission modes:

1. Sexual contact.Is it the main route of transmission of human papillomavirus infection. The use of a condom during sexual intercourse significantly reduces the risk of infection with the human papilloma virus, however, it does not provide a reliable guarantee that the infection will not occur, as the viral particles are very small in size.
2. Household contact route.Causes of infection are the use of common intimate hygiene products: towels, soap, use of a public toilet, a bathroom.
3. Natural birth.HPV can be transmitted to children who become infected when a baby passes through the birth canal of an infected woman.

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

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

• initiation of sexual activity at an early age;
• rude sex without using a condom;
• frequent abortions;
• presence of infectious diseases of the genital organs;
• long-term use of oral contraceptives;
• decreased body's immune response;
• non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene;
• if your sexual partner has HPV;
• exposure to frequent stressful situations;
• bad habits.

Through pores, cracks, microtraumas of the skin and mucous membranes, the virus penetrates the basal layer of the epithelium, which ensures the normal growth and renewal of the skin and mucous membranes. The DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of basal cell cells carries information about the healthy structure of cells. A viral particle, getting involved in DNA, alters 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

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 cauliflower, a bunch of grapes or cockroaches, reddish pink or flesh-colored. Depending on the type and type of virus, they can infect a person's skin and mucous membranes.

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

Papillomas can appear on the skin around the fingers, toes, hands, around the eyes, armpits and scalp. They 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, to prevent the development of the disease, the formations are surgically removed.

Consequences of HPV infection

Human papilloma virus in women can lead to significant growth of genital warts, papillomas, flat warts, which will cause a feeling of discomfort, pain and when they are injured, bleeding of varying severity can occur.

HPV types eighteen and sixteen are the most dangerous, as they lead to the development of cancer. Cervical cancer, which has been reliably linked to human papillomavirus infection, ranks second among various malignant diseases in women. Its mortality rate reaches fifty percent.

Flat warts

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

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

The 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 cervical mucosa

Pathology is a change in the normal cell structure in the cervical mucosa, which is called atypia. This condition in gynecology is considered precancerous and requires intensive observation and 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 may continue without clinical signs or manifest with nonspecific symptoms: weakness, increased fatigue, weight loss, the appearance of dictatorial bleeding from the vagina outside the menstrual cycle.

Methods of treating the disease

If there are signs of HPV infection, given the risk of sequelae, do not treat yourself.

To choose the optimal treatment tactics, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist, who, after a thorough examination and performing the required tests, will prescribe an adequate therapy.

To date, no drug has been invented that will 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;
• use of funds aimed at boosting immunity.

In the presence of papillomas, genital warts, warts, areas of dysplasia, even of a small size, their removal is recommended, as the presence of neoplasms increases the concentration of viral particles in a woman's body, which contributes to the progressionfurther pathology.

Surgical treatment

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

• surgical;
• cryotherapy;
• diatermocoagulation;
• laser coagulation;
• radio wave therapy;
• chemical attack.

The surgical method consists of removing the growths with a scalpel, it is the cheapest method of treatment, however, after it, there remains a pronounced cosmetic defect and the healing period is significantly extended. 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 the affected skin areas. This procedure is quite painful and therefore requires anesthesia. The disadvantage of this method is the formation of rough wounds instead of pathological formations.

During laser coagulation, the impact of laser beams on the affected area leads to drying of the neoplasms. In their place a dry crust is formed, which after a while disappears without leaving marks. This type of treatment is milder, but its high cost is considered a disadvantage.

Radiological wave therapy consists of exposing the affected area to radio frequency waves. When using this type of treatment, there is no risk of bleeding, pronounced scars do not form, but the disadvantage is the high cost.

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

Drug use

Drug therapy for human papillomavirus infection involves 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. Drugs are used in the form of tablets and suppositories, the dosage and duration of the course of treatment 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 emergence 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 a worsening of HPV occurs during pregnancy, therapy for this condition is not performed during this period, treatment is prescribed after birth.

However, a woman should be monitored by a doctor for the entire duration of her pregnancy. With the development of severe anxiety, mild methods of therapy are prescribed. In extreme cases, when there are contraindications to vaginal birth due to the progression of HPV, a cesarean section is performed.

Getting rid of HPV with folk remedies

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

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

> In 3 st. 800Add 800 ml of water to the resulting mixture, boil for 10 minutes on low heat, and leave to infuse for 3 hours. Put 1 glass 3 times a day 30 minutes before eating. Oregano, yarrow, immortelle, St. John's wort, birch buds, nettle, calendula, ankle, burnet roots, chamomile flowers, string, plantain leaves, celandine, linden flowers, carve seeds, sage are mixed in quantities ofequal. Pour 2 tbsp into a thermos. the resulting mixture, pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave to infuse overnight. Take 0, 5 cups 4 times a day.
1. Valerian root, lemon balm herb, oregano, linden flowers, hop cones, cauliflower are mixed in equal amounts. 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.

To treat local manifestations apply:

1. Celandine juice. The juice is made from fresh leaves or bought from a pharmacy. Before applying the product, the skin of the affected area should be evaporated, and the healthy areas near the affected area should be treated with a greasy cream. Celandine should be applied gently to the affected skin. The procedure should be repeated every two days for a week until the pathological formation disappears.
2. Hudhra. The vegetables should be finely grated and mixed with the skin cream until a thick consistency is formed. Apply the resulting mixture on the areas of the formations for 2-3 hours every day for a month. After the procedure, wash the skin with soapy water.
3. New nuts. They should be pressed with a meat grinder, pour the resulting mixture into a jar of 0. 5 liters of glass in order to fill 2/3, pour the rest of the container with kerosene. Let it soak for 20 days, then drain through cheesecloth. Infusion to treat affected skin 2 times a day.

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