HPV in women: the dangerous consequences of the most common virus

Papillomavirus (HPV) in women is more often only because they go to the gynecologists regularly, paying more attention to unpleasant symptoms and discomfort. It is believed that the first sexual contact increases the risk of transmission of the virus by 60-70%, and up to 30 years there is the highest probability of infection.

Manifestations and activity of the papilloma virus

The exact time of HPV transmission in women is difficult to determine: it takes three months and more before the appearance of external symptoms. Among the hundreds of known strains of HPV, about thirty most often cause changes in the female body:

1. Skin manifestations, such as warts, plantar, flat, or generalized wartiness - the results of the first, second and third types of HPV, as well as other less active species.

2. For a rash on the genitals - spiky and flat condylomas - the sixth and eleventh HPV are responsible. Dysplastic and cancer pathologies of the cervix, cancerous changes in the external genital organs provoke oncogenic subtypes 16, 18, 31, 33 and 35.

3. The defeat of the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and cancer of the mouth and throat caused by types associated with warts and condylomas, as well as type 13 HPV.

Diagnosis of the papilloma virus

HPV in women is detected only by high-precision methods, since it refers to DNA viruses, the genome of which is encapsulated in a protein capsid. Penetrating into the tissue, it causes intraepithelial neoplasia, and then integrates the DNA inside the cells.

HPV examination in women is usually associated with examination of the cervix under a microscope - colposcopy. During the procedure, the mucosa is treated with weak solutions of vinegar and iodine, this is how pathological areas are determined which are prone to degeneration.

Analyzes on HPV involve the study of cellular material:

1. PCR diagnosis is to take a scraping from the cervix to determine the presence of HPV and its type. This test shows the activity of the infection, as well as the risk of cancer degeneration.

2. Colposcopy complements any analysis of HPV in women, as it shows the degree of cell degeneration under the influence of the virus. According to the Papanicolaou classification, there are five stages of changes: the first is the normal state of the cells, the second is minor signs of inflammation, the third is the appearance of cells with large nuclei, the fourth is the increase in nuclei, the appearance of cytoplasm defects and chromosomes, and the fifth is cancerous transformation.

3. A biopsy is a study of a sample of the mucous membrane or condyloma under a microscope to detect dangerous changes.

Gynecological features of papillomavirus

Only 50% of infected HPV is manifested by external symptoms that lead women to a gynecologist:

1. Genital warts cover the vestibule of the vagina and anus, increase the risk of infection of partners. They are recommended to be removed with liquid nitrogen, laser, electric currents.

2. Bloody discharge from the vagina and aching pain in the lower abdomen - rare signals about erosion (ectopia) of the cervix, which often does not make itself felt.

3. Flat warts on the inner parts of the genitals are to be removed after a thorough examination for cytology and histology. They can cause itching and abnormal discharge.

4. Dysplasia, which affected the cervical tissue and was detected by a Pap smear, may be an indication for conization (epithelial cutting). Unfortunately, this process is asymptomatic.

Regular examinations at the gynecologist allow to diagnose pathologies at early stages and stop their development.