Human papillomavirus in women: causes, symptoms and treatment

causes of the appearance of 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 to humans. According to statistics from the World Health Organization, 70% of the world population has 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: various 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 that associates the development of cancers of the anus, external genitals, vagina with infection by certain types of human papillomavirus (type HPV 16, 18, 45, 56).

Forms of transmission:

  1. Sexual contact.It is the main route of transmission of human papillomavirus infection. Condom use during sexual intercourse significantly reduces the risk of human papillomavirus infection; however, it does not offer a reliable guarantee that the infection will not occur, since the viral particles are very small.
  2. Path of domestic contact.The causes of the infection are the use of intimate hygiene products for the joints: towels, soap, use of public bathroom, bath.
  3. Natural childbirth.HPV can be transmitted to children who are infected when a child passes through an infected woman's birth canal.

The source of this infection is the patient's skin cells and mucous membranes. In this case, the person himself may not know that he became a carrier of the virus, since warts and papillomas can be microscopic and remain invisible during the 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 Organs genitals;
  • prolonged use of oral contraceptive methods;
  • decrease in the body's immune response;
  • non-observance of personal hygiene rules;
  • if the sexual partner has HPV;
  • exposure to frequent stressful situations;
  • bad habits.

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

Symptoms of human papillomavirus infection in women

how the human papillomavirus manifests itself

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, bunch of grapes or cock's crest, 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 you have anal intercourse.

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

The human papillomavirus in women can cause significant growths of genital warts, papillomas, flat warts, which cause a sensation of discomfort, pain and, when injured, bleeding of varying severity can 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 associated with human papillomavirus infection, ranks second among the various malignancies in women. The death rate reaches fifty percent.

Flat warts

how to recognize the human papillomavirus

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

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

The cosmetic defect with them is much less than with genital warts.

This type of pathology presents an increased risk of degeneration in cancer.

Cervical mucous membrane dysplasia

Pathology is a change in the normal structure of the cells of the cervical mucous membrane, 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 varying degrees of severity is distinct: 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 by types of HPV 16, 18.

The disease may progress without clinical signs or manifest with non-specific symptoms: weakness, increased fatigue, weight loss, bleeding spots in the vagina outside the menstrual cycle.

Methods of treating diseases

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

To choose the best treatment tactic, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist who, after a thorough examination and the necessary examinations, will prescribe the appropriate therapy.

So far, no medication has been invented to cure HPV forever. The main goal of treatment is to reduce the concentration of the virus in the body to prevent disease progression.

Main areas of therapy:

  • treatment of manifestations (warts, papillomas, dysplasia);
  • antiviral therapy;
  • the use of funds to increase immunity.

In the presence of papillomas, genital warts, warts, areas of dysplasia, even small ones, it is recommended to remove them, as the presence of neoplasms increases the concentration of viral particles in the woman's body, which contributes to theprogression of 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 of removing tumors with a scalpel, it is the cheapest treatment method, however, after that, a pronounced aesthetic defect remains and the healing period is significantly prolonged. 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 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 scars instead of pathological formations.

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

Radio wave therapy consists of exposing the affected area to radio frequency waves. When using this type of treatment, there is no risk of bleeding, no pronounced scars are formed, but the disadvantage is the high cost.

The chemical method is used when there is a small formation. A special medication 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 the woman's body and prevent its reproduction, a long course of antiviral therapy is prescribed. Medicines are used in the form of tablets and suppositories, the dosage and duration of treatment should be determined only by the attending physician.

Immunostimulants are prescribed after analysis and detection of a reduced level of immunity to increase the body's defenses, accelerate the appearance of immune cells and stimulate the production of antibodies to fight 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 HPV exacerbation occurs during pregnancy, therapy for that condition is not performed during this period, treatment is prescribed after delivery.

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

Eliminating HPV with folk remedies

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

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

  1. Horsetail, nettle, rosehips, dandelion roots and banana leaves are mixed in equal amounts. On the 3rd. me. Add 800 ml of water to the resulting mixture, boil for 10 minutes over low heat and leave to infuse for 3 hours. Apply 1 cup 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
  2. Oregano herb, milleft, immortelle, St. John's wort, birch buds, nettles, marigold, coltsfoot, burnet roots, chamomile flowers, twine, banana leaves, celandine, linden flowers, seeds ofcumin, sage are mixed in equal amounts. Pour 2 tablespoons into a thermos. me. 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, oregano, linden flowers, hop cones and anise are mixed in equal amounts. Pour 1 tablespoon into a thermos. me. 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 sprayed and the healthy areas close to the affected area must be treated with a fat cream. Celandine should be applied with care to the affected skin. The procedure must 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 to obtain a viscous consistency. Apply the resulting mixture to training areas for 2-3 hours every day for a month. After the procedure, wash your skin with soap and water.
  3. Young nuts. They must be crushed with a meat mincer, pour the resulting mixture into a 0, 5 liter glass jar to fill 2/3, pour the rest of the container with kerosene. Leave to infuse for 20 days and then wipe with a cotton cloth. Infusion to treat the affected skin twice a day.

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