I've Been Diagnosed with High-Risk HPV: Now What?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common diseases spread through sexual contact. About 40% of women with HPV have a type of high-risk virus that can ultimately lead to cancer.

At The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group, we offer diagnostic testing services in-office to confirm an HPV infection, so you don’t have to travel anywhere else.

Our highly skilled medical team can also determine the risk factors that accompany the infection and specialize in customized care plans to lower your risk for cancer and other HPV-related complications.

What to know about low-risk HPV

There are more than 40 known strains of HPV that cause symptoms that affect the genitals of women and men.

Sexually transmitted HPV infections can also develop in the mouth and throat after oral sex with an infected person.

HPV spreads easily because many people with an infection don’t know they have it. Low-risk HPV infections typically won’t cause symptoms and will go away on their own over time.

However, some people with low-risk HPV may develop warts on their genitals, anus, or mouth.

Understanding high-risk HPV complications

High-risk HPV infections are those that are difficult for your immune system to fight naturally. An ongoing infection can cause changes in the squamous cells in the lining of reproductive organs that eventually become cancerous.

High-risk HPV infections can play a role in many types of cancers, including:

• Cervical cancer
• Anal cancer
• Penile cancer
• Vaginal cancer
• Vulva cancer

You might also be at increased risk for developing cancer of the tongue, throat, and tonsils from an untreated high-risk HPV infection.

Strategies to minimize HPV cancer risks

Our team at The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group offers several treatment options to address abnormal and precancerous cells before they progress into cancer.

The most important part of your care starts with a proper diagnosis. Be sure to schedule an HPV evaluation if you have unusual bumps or noticeable warts on your genitals, anus, or mouth. 

You can also book preventive HPV screenings to identify an active infection, even if you don’t have symptoms.

Our team discusses any treatments you might need, including minimally invasive, robotic surgery to remove abnormal cells before they turn cancerous.

Protecting yourself against HPV infections

If you haven’t yet developed an HPV infection, you should stay mindful of the strategies you can use to protect against HPV or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Any time you’re with a partner whose sexual history is unclear, be sure to use condoms correctly each time you’re intimate. This includes during oral, vaginal, and anal sex.

Depending on your age and health history, you might also benefit from the HPV vaccine, which can help lower your risk of contracting high-risk HPV infections.

Our providers can determine how often you should schedule HPV screenings based on your lifestyle. We complete HPV tests at the same time as a Pap test, a screening tool that can identify early warning signs of cervical cancer. 

Using a cell sample we remove from your cervix, our team can accurately confirm or rule out an existing HPV infection so you can get any treatments you need right away. 

Call The Guirguis Obstetrics & Gynecology Group today to schedule an HPV screening at our offices in Brooklyn and Staten Island, New York, and Hoboken, New Jersey.