Human papillomavirus 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 HPV carriers. 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 virus infection in women can include: various types of warts, flat and genital warts, dysplasia of the cervix. However, the most dangerous manifestation of pathology is the development of cervical cancer. There are also data linking the development of cancers of the anus, external genitalia, the vagina with infection with certain types of human papillomavirus virus (HPV 16, 18, 45, 56).

Transmission channels:

1. Sexual contact.It is the primary route of transmission of human papillomavirus infection. Condom use during intercourse reduces the risk of infection with the human papillomavirus virus, however, it does not provide a reliable guarantee that the infection will not occur, since the viral particles are very small.
2. Contact-home path.The causes of the infection are the use of personal hygiene products: towels, soap, use of public toilet, bath.
3. Natural birth.HPV can be transmitted to infected children when a baby passes through the birth canal of an infected woman.

The source of this infection are cells of the skin and mucous membranes of the patient. In this case, the person may not know that it is a carrier of the virus, as warts and papillomas can become microscopic in size and remain invisible during visual inspection.

Predictable factors contributing to the development of viral infection:

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

Through pores, cracks, microtraumas of the skin and mucous membranes, the virus enters the basal layer of the epitheliiam, ensuring normal growth and renewal of skin and mucous membranes. The DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of the basal layer cells contains information about the healthy structure of the cells. A viral particle, embedded in DNA, alters this information, creating damaged cells, which trigger the symptoms of the disease in the process of growth and division.

Symptoms of human papillomavirus virus infection in women

One of the possible manifestations of human papillomavirus virus infection is the appearance of genital warts and papillomas. They are specific formations that look like cauliflower, a handful of grapes or a rooster comb, pink-red or flesh-colored. Depending on the type and type of viruses, they are capable of infecting a person’s skin and mucous membranes.

Genital warts can occur around or near the anus, especially if sexual intercourse occurs.

Papillomas can occur on the skin around the fingers, toes, hands, around the eyes, armpits and scalp. Sometimes they form on the soles of the feet and cause characteristic bitterness as they walk.

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

Consequences of HPV infection

Human papillomavirus can lead to significant growth in genital warts, papillomas, flat warts in women, leading to discomfort, pain and, when injured, bleeding of varying severity. existence.

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

The mucous membrane of the vagina and cervix is ​​most often affected.

They have a much smaller cosmetic defect than genital warts.

This type of pathology has a higher risk of cancer progression.

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, called atypia. This condition in gynecology is considered precancerous and requires observation and intensive treatment.

In most cases the disease is asymptomatic and is detected by a gynecologist during a routine examination. Dysplasia is distinguished by several degrees of severity: 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 is second only to 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 bleeding from the vagina outside the menstrual cycle.

Disease treatment methods

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

In order to select the optimal treatment measures, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist, who will prescribe adequate therapy, after a thorough examination and the necessary tests.

To date, no HPV medication has ever been invented. The main aim of treatment is to reduce the concentration of the virus in the body to prevent further progression of the disease.

Key areas of therapy:

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

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

Surgical treatment

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

surgical
• ;
cryzotherapy
• ;
diazmocoagulation
• ;
laser coagulation
• ;
radio wave therapy
• ;
Chemical attack
• .

The surgical method consists of removing the growths with a scalpel, however, the cheapest method of treatment is that after it, a pronounced cosmetic defect remains and the healing period is significantly extended. There is also a risk of secondary infection. Therefore, this type of intervention is used in severe 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 temperature to affected parts of the skin. 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 laser beams on the affected area results in drying out of neoplasms. A dry crust forms in their place, which disappears after a while without leaving scars. This type of treatment is the most gentle, but its high cost is considered a disadvantage.

Radio-wave therapy

involves exposing the affected area to radio frequency waves. When using this type of treatment, there is no risk of bleeding, pronounced scars are not created, 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 virus 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. The drugs are used in the form of tablets and suppositories, only the attending physician should determine the dose and duration of the course of treatment.

Immunostimulants are prescribed after analysis and detection of a reduced immune level in order to increase the body’s defenses, accelerate the appearance of immune cells, and produce 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 does not interfere with pregnancy. If exacerbation of HPV occurs during pregnancy, therapy for this condition is not performed during this period, treatment is prescribed after childbirth.

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

Get rid of HPV with folk remedies

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

Ways to prepare decoctions and infusions to treat human papillomavirus virus infection:

1. Horseradish, nettle herb, rose hips, dandelion roots, plantain leaves are mixed in equal quantities. Ag 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, nettle, calendula, mother-and-stepmother, burnet roots, chamomile flowers, twine, plantain leaves, celandine, linden flowers, caraway seeds, sage evenly mixed. Pour 2 tbsp into a thermos. l. the resulting mixture, pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave it to infuse overnight. Take 0. 5 cups 4 times a day.
3. Valerian root, lemon balm herb, oregano, linden flowers, hop cones, mother plant 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 treatment of local manifestations apply:

Cezine 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 a healthy cream should be applied near the affected area. 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. Garlic

. The vegetable should be grated on a fine grater and mixed with skin cream until a viscous consistency. Apply the resulting mixture on formations fields for 2-3 hours every day for a month. After the procedure, wash the skin with soapy water.

young walnuts. They must be crushed with a meat grinder, pour the resulting mixture into a 0. 5-liter glass jar so that it fills 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 therapy and getting rid of external HPV manifestations, a woman must visit a gynecologist every six months to monitor and prevent further progression of the disease.