HPV infection during pregnancy: Signs, treatment and prevention

HPV infection (which causes papillae) before or during pregnancy is always a health problem and should be addressed as it can negatively affect pregnancy.

Human papillomavirus can be transmitted sexually. About 75% of sexually active men and women get HPV at some point. To better understand HPV infection during pregnancy, please refer to the information that aFamilyToday Health shares below. 

Signs of HPV infection

When you have an HPV infection, you may not notice any specific symptoms, making it difficult to know the severity or status of the infection. There are more than 100 different strains of HPV, but only a few have adverse health effects. High-risk strains of HPV can cause cervical cancer, while low-risk strains are known to cause genital warts.

Some pregnant mothers shared about the wart situation as follows: small nodules such as fingers, damaged skin ... The warts develop on the skin near or in the cervix, vagina, vulva and anus. . They are painless but increase the likelihood of a malignant tumor and are reversible after treatment.

Get tested for HPV virus during pregnancy

Diagnostic tests for the HPV virus are not part of routine pregnancy screening. However, genital warts can be diagnosed during serological tests (blood tests for antibodies). Your doctor can also identify external warts through a physical exam. Then, you will be offered a biopsy to confirm any damage to the vagina if it's absolutely necessary.

The Pap test involves collecting cells that line the cervix and examining them under a microscope.

Colposcopy is done for further evaluation and uses vinegar (acetic acid) on the cervix. The vinegar changes the color of abnormal cells and is then taken to check for HPV infection.

If your result is positive, your doctor will begin to recommend treatment options.

Treatment for HPV infection

Most HPV infections go away on their own and go away. You can only get treatment when the pimples begin to show up as well as the abnormal cervical cells. Treatment options include:

Cryosurgery: Freezes or destroys the wart using liquid nitrogen

Electrocautery: Electrocautery burning of warts

Electric cervical apical removal : Removal of abnormal cervical tissue using an electrically charged wire loop

Conical biopsy: Removes the affected uterine tissue

Applying prescription cream: Apply the cream directly to the wart. However, use only as directed by your doctor because overuse is quite dangerous.

Your doctor will continue to check for cell changes during your regular pregnancy check-ups.

Can HPV affect pregnancy?

HPV can affect pregnancy because it increases estrogen levels in the body. This can lead to an increase in the number and size of the warts. Your doctor may also prevent you from getting rid of the warts, as it increases your risk of bleeding and infection.

Warts treatment usually begins after birth, unless the wart is large and blocks the vaginal area. They will be eliminated by chemical treatment or electric current.

Is HPV passed to the baby?

Babies born to mothers with genital warts will not develop any other infections. Even if the baby is infected with this virus, the disease will resolve on its own after a few days because of the immunity.

In rare cases, children may develop warts in the throat, also known as laryngeal papillomas. This is a serious condition and affects your baby's ability to breathe. Your baby will receive continuous laser treatment to remove the warts and clean the airways.

If the warts are blocking the way the baby is born, the doctor will perform a cesarean section. Of course, you will be discussed about all the risks before deciding which option to take.

What if I have had HPV infection before and I want to become pregnant?

Here's what you should do if you got an HPV infection before conception:

You should see an obstetrician for HPV treatment.

Your doctor will recommend treatments for genital warts and any other lesions.

Is it possible to get pregnant with HPV?

HPV is not known to directly affect your ability to become pregnant. The HPV virus cannot affect fertility. In addition, other pregnancy complications such as preterm birth and miscarriage are not related to this strain.

In rare cases, HPV can develop cancerous lesions in the cervical area, affecting your fertility and conception.

How to prevent HPV

Some of the tips below from aFamilyToday Health can help you reduce your chances of getting HPV:

Use a condom every time you have sex: They can help you reduce your risk of getting HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases. One study found that people who used a condom during intercourse reduced the risk of a sexually transmitted infection by more than 70%.

Get vaccinated before you try to get pregnant: There are two types of HPV vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix, that are approved for women 9 to 26 years of age, which can reduce the risk of cervical cancer by over 90 percent and pre-existing lesions. cancer over 60%.

Limit relationships with strangers: Only have sex with 1 partner and encourage that person to check the health of the genitals periodically. Sometimes, your sex partner may not even know he has HPV and can infect you.