Toggle navigation

Phone: (508) 681-5081

Fax: (877) 669-1746

  • blog
  • Facebook

Patient Portal

  • Home
  • Services
  • Obstetrics
    • Schedule of OB Visits
    • Over The Counter Medications
    • Nausea and Vomiting
    • Prenatal & Postpartum Support
    • The Family Birthplace App
  • Gynecology
    • Annual Gynecological Exams
    • Pap Test
    • Contraceptives
    • STI Screenings
    • Menopause
    • Menopausal Hormonal Therapy
  • Staff
  • Policies
  • New Patients
  • Our Location
  • Testimonials

My Blog

Posts for tag: Human Papillomavirus

Should I Get Tested for HPV?

By Falmouth Women's Health
April 07, 2021
Category: OBGYN Care
Tags: Human Papillomavirus   HPV  
HPVHPV stands for human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted infection that is found in nearly 79 million Americans at this very moment. About 80 percent of men and women who are sexually active will be infected with HPV at some point during their lifetime. While some people with HPV will never know they have it, other strains of HPV can lead to serious health complications including cervical cancer.
 
Is an HPV test the same as a pap smear?

No, these are two different tests. A pap smear looks for suspicious cellular changes in the cervix to spot precancerous and cancerous cells early. An HPV test, on the other hand, specifically looks for a current HPV infection but won’t be able to detect cervical cell changes. Women should turn to their OBGYN to get both a Pap smear and an HPV test.
 
How often should I get tested for HPV?

Even if you’ve been vaccinated for HPV or you’ve already gone through menopause, it’s still a good idea to get regular pap smears. Women between the ages of 21 and 29 should get a pap smear every three years (if they’ve only had normal pap smear results in the past). Women who’ve had an abnormal pap smear may need to come in once a year. A pap smear should be performed regardless of whether or not you suspect that you might have HPV.

Women between the ages of 30 and 65 should get a pap smear every three years, an HPV test every five years, or both tests together every five years.
 
How is HPV treated?

Many strains of HPV are shed by the body over time so they don’t require treatment; however, other strains of HPV can lead to genital warts and cervical cancer. Cryosurgery or laser treatment may be used to remove abnormal cells from the cervix or genital warts.
 
Should I get vaccinated against HPV?

The CDC recommends that both men and women between the ages of 11 to 26 should get vaccinated for HPV, as this vaccine can protect against many of the strains that can lead to cervical cancer. Since the vaccine is only administered to people who’ve never had HPV before, it’s a good idea to talk with your OBGYN about getting your teen vaccinated before they become sexually active.
 
You must be getting regular pap smears and HPV tests from your OBGYN if you are sexually active. These screening tools are the most effective ways to detect this common STI. Call your OBGYN if it’s time to schedule your next pap smear or if you are interested in STI testing.
0 Comment(s) Permalink

What is HPV and When Should You Get Screened?

By Falmouth Women's Health
May 17, 2019
Category: Women's Healthcare
Tags: Human Papillomavirus   HPV  

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. According to the CDC, approximately 79 million Americans are infected with HPV. There are many strains of this infection, some of which can cause cancer. This is why it’s important that you visit your gynecologist once a year for annual checkups and screenings.

Symptoms of HPV

Unfortunately, men and women can have HPV and never know, since symptoms aren’t common with this STD. Some strains of HPV cause genital warts, a cluster of bumps that can be found on the vulva or cervix of a woman and may develop on the penis or scrotum of a man. Once infected, genital warts can appear as early as 3 months after exposure; however, it can sometimes take longer.

Since high-risk HPV (HPV that causes cervical cancer) doesn’t often cause symptoms this means that the best action you can take to protect your health is to visit your gynecologist once a year for an annual exam. During this exam, your OBGYN can perform a physical examination, as well as a PAP smear and HPV test to check for changes in cervical cells that could be a warning sign of cancer or pre-cancer.

HPV Screening

While there is no test to determine if you have HPV or not, there are tests available that can check for cervical cancer that is most likely caused by HPV. These screenings usually begin around the age of 30. Of course, if you develop vaginal bumps, sores or other changes it’s important that you see your doctor right away.

During a Pap smear, your gynecologist will scrape cells from the cervix and send them to a lab, where they will look for any cellular changes. A Pap smear only takes a couple of minutes to perform and those who’ve never had abnormal results may only need to get a Pap smear every three years. Those who have had positive results in the past may need to get tested more regularly.

HPV Vaccine

Luckily, there is now a vaccine available to protect against certain types of HPV, particularly the strains that are the greatest risk for developing cervical cancer. Before recently, the vaccine had only been approved for people ages 9 to 25 but now the FDA has approved the vaccine for adults ages 27 to 45. These vaccines only work on patients who’ve never had HPV before; this is why it’s important to vaccinate teens early on to protect against certain strains of high-risk HPV.

Is it time for your annual women’s appointment? If you are interested in getting tested for HPV, you can easily schedule an HPV screening to be performed during your next checkup.

0 Comment(s) Permalink


Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2022
      • May (1)
        • Menopause Counseling & Treatment Options
      • April (2)
        • How Often Should You Visit a Gynecologist
        • The Importance of Pregnancy Care
      • March (7)
        • Latex Allergy and Condoms
        • What To Know About Ectopic Pregnancies
        • Can You Get Pregnant on Birth Control?
        • Causes of Pain During Sex
        • The Importance of Prenatal Appointments
        • What To Know About the HPV Vaccine
        • Why You Should Get a Pap Smear
  • 2021
      • December (2)
        • What Is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?
        • Vaginal Stones: What You Need To Know
      • November (1)
        • Treatment for a Vaginal Cyst
      • October (2)
        • Pregnancy and UTI
        • Natural Ways to Induce Labor
      • September (2)
        • Getting Treatment for Cervical Dysplasia
        • Uterine Fibroids and Pregnancy
      • August (2)
        • Understanding Gestational Diabetes
        • What Is a Postpartum Hemorrhage?
      • July (2)
        • Osteoporosis and Menopause
        • What Is Advanced Maternal Age?
      • June (2)
        • What Is Vaginal Agenesis?
        • Could I Have Amenorrhea?
      • May (2)
        • Choosing the Right Birth Control for You
        • Tracking Your Pregnancy Milestones
      • April (2)
        • Understanding the Postpartum Process
        • Should I Get Tested for HPV?
      • March (2)
        • Getting Treatment for a Yeast Infection
        • Recovering From a Miscarriage
      • February (2)
        • What Are Ovarian Cysts?
        • The Benefits of Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
      • January (2)
        • Bleeding During Your Pregnancy
        • Signs and Symptoms of a Bladder Infection
  • 2020
      • December (2)
        • What Is Cervical Ectropion?
        • Understanding and Treating Your Fibroids
      • November (2)
        • What To Do if You Experience Pain During Sex
        • When To See a Lactation Consultant
      • October (2)
        • Is My Pregnancy High-Risk?
        • What Is Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome?
      • September (2)
        • FAQs About Pap Smears
        • Managing Your Menopause Symptoms
      • August (1)
        • Reasons You Should Visit Your Gynecologist
      • July (3)
        • Menopause Counseling & Treatment Options
        • Prenatal Care and You
        • When It Is Time To Get An STD Test
      • June (2)
        • Options For Birth Control
        • What Should I Eat During My Pregnancy?
      • May (2)
        • What Is A Colposcopy?
        • Urinary Incontinence: Diagnosis And Treatment
      • April (2)
        • When Should I Start Seeing an Obstetrician?
        • Causes for Irregular Bleeding
      • March (1)
        • Can I Exercise While Pregnant?
      • February (2)
        • Cervical Cancer Screening
        • IUD Placement and Removal
      • January (2)
        • Genetic Testing
        • The Importance of Breast Exams
  • 2019
      • December (2)
        • Preconception Counseling
        • Dealing With Abnormal and Irregular Bleeding
      • November (2)
        • High-RIsk Pregnancy Care
        • Treating Painful Sex
      • October (3)
        • Managing Fibroids
        • The Importance of Annual Health Evaluations
        • Types of Gynecological Procedures
      • September (2)
        • Signs of Osteoporosis
        • Monitoring Your Cycle
      • August (2)
        • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
        • What Birth Control is Right for You?
      • July (2)
        • Managing Abnormal PAP Smears
        • What is Prenatal Care?
      • June (2)
        • Dealing with Menopause
        • How Often Should I Get Screened for STIs?
      • May (1)
        • What is HPV and When Should You Get Screened?
      • April (3)
        • What is Endometriosis?
        • What Happens During a Pelvic Exam?
        • IUDs
      • March (2)
        • What Is A Sonohysterogram?
        • What Are Fibroids?
      • February (2)
        • Why Are Pap Smears Necessary?
        • Treating Irregular Menstruation
      • January (2)
        • What is a Bladder Infection?
        • Why Would a Hysterectomy Be Necessary?
  • 2018
      • December (2)
        • Treating Infertility and Other Options of Conception
        • The Importance of a Pap Smear

Tags

  • Pap smear (5)
  • Infertility (1)
  • Hysterectomy (1)
  • Bladder Infection (2)
  • Irregular Menstruation (2)
  • Fibroids (3)
  • Sonohysterogram (1)
  • IUD (2)
  • Birth Control (5)
  • OBGYN (2)
  • Pelvic Exam (1)
  • Endometriosis (1)
  • Human Papillomavirus (2)
  • HPV (2)
  • STI (1)
  • STI screening (1)
  • Menopause (5)
  • Prenatal Care (3)
  • PAP Smears (1)
  • Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (2)
  • POS (1)
  • Menstruation (1)
  • Cycle Monitoring (1)
  • Menstrual Cycle (1)
  • Ovulation (1)
  • Fertility Cycle (1)
  • Osteoporosis (2)
  • Gynecological Procedures (1)
  • Health Evaluation (1)
  • Regular Visits (1)
  • Painful Sex (3)
  • High-Risk (1)
  • Pregnancy (6)
  • Abnormal Bleeding (1)
  • Irregular Bleeding (2)
  • Preconception (1)
  • Preconception Counseling (1)
  • Breast Exams (1)
  • Mammogram (1)
  • Genetic Testing (1)
  • Cervical Cancer Screening (1)
  • Exercise (1)
  • Pregnant (1)
  • Obstetrician (1)
  • Urinary Incontinence (1)
  • Colposcopy (1)
  • USDA’s MyPlate (1)
  • Contraceptives (1)
  • STD Test (1)
  • Menopause Counseling (1)
  • Gynecologist (2)
  • Gynecologist Visits (1)
  • Menopause Symptoms (1)
  • OHSS (1)
  • Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (1)
  • High-Risk Pregnancy (1)
  • Lactation Consultant (1)
  • Cervical Ectropion (1)
  • Cervical Erosion (1)
  • Bleeding (1)
  • Implantation Bleeding (1)
  • Pelvic Floor Therapy (1)
  • Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (1)
  • Ovarian Cysts (1)
  • Miscarriage (1)
  • Yeast Infection (1)
  • Postpartum (1)
  • Postpartum Depression (1)
  • Pregnancy Milestones (1)
  • Amenorrhea (1)
  • Vaginal Agenesis (1)
  • Maternal Age (1)
  • PPH (1)
  • Postpartum Hemorrhage (1)
  • Gestational Diabetes (1)
  • Uterine Fibroids (1)
  • Cervical Dysplasia (1)
  • Induce Labor (1)
  • UTI (1)
  • Vaginal Cyst (1)
  • Vaginal Stones (1)
  • PCOS (1)
  • HPV Vaccine (1)
  • Prenatal Appointments (1)
  • Ectopic Pregnancy (1)
  • Latex Allergy (1)
  • Condoms (1)
  • Pregnancy Care (1)
  • Prenatal Visit (1)

Categories:

  • OBGYN Care (31)
  • Women's Healthcare (19)
  • Obstetrics Gynecology (23)
  • OBGYN Treatments (4)
  • Pregnancy Care (6)

Our Location

133 Falmouth Rd. Bldg. 2 Suite A
Mashpee, MA 02649

Phone: (508) 681-5081

Fax: (877) 669-1746

Map & directions

Office Hours
Monday:8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday:8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday:8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday:8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday:8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday:Closed
Sunday:Closed
  • Home
  • Services
  • Staff
  • Office
  • New Patients
  • Patient Portal
  • Patient Education
  • Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map