You may be a health-conscious woman, but when was the last time you took account of your feminine health? Taking care of your feminine health is as important as your overall health.
Every woman should prioritize her health. It starts with understanding your body’s needs, and things that work for you and reaching your doctor or gynaecologist if anything irregular arises.
Practising safe sex, regular cervical screening and preventing STI’s like HPV is part of feminine health. We will be discussing them today and how they will help keep you and your body healthy.
Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle
It’s very important to take care of your general health. Maintaining a good lifestyle, healthy diet, exercise routine, sound sleep, and a healthy weight keeps several endocrinal and gynecological problems at bay. These practices will regulate your menstrual cycle, hormone levels, and vaginal health.
Don’t overlook your Vaginal health
For all ages of women, it’s crucial to maintain the vaginal pH. The ph of the vagina is acidic. And bacterium lactobacillus (a kind of bacteria found in the vaginas of adults) is a good organism that prevents the overgrowth of other harmful bacteria and fungal infections.
The vagina is a self-cleaning organ and has an ecosystem. Practice good hygiene, taking bath regularly, wearing clean underclothes, and most important changing your sanitary pads or tampons frequently.
Avoid using products with fragrance or any irritant near the delicate genital tissues. It’s important to do research before buying and using anything.
HPV prevention is part of feminine health
STIs have symptoms like genital warts (disease caused by HPV), abnormal vaginal discharge, and pain during sex or urination. The peak time for STIs namely HPV for both women and men is shortly after becoming sexually active1.
Did you know that HPV infects around 660 million people worldwide? 2 Many people with HPV never know that they have it. 80% of sexually active men and women get infected with HPV at some point in their lifetime3. And that is why awareness of STIs is much needed.
And if you are surprised by these numbers, let me tell you that HPV infection should not be taken lightly. In most cases, HPV goes away on its own. But in some cases, HPV can lead to cervical cancer. According to the studies, more than 95% of cervical cancer is due to HPV4. Did you know that the second most common cancer among Indian women is cervical cancer?
In India, every 5 mins, an individual loses their life because of HPV-related cancers5 and the mortality rate for these cancers in India is about 60%6. However, ~80% of HPV-related cancers are preventable7
Longer duration of Oral Contraceptive pills use has a definite associated risk for developing cervical cancer8.
You can do several things to lower your chances of getting infected with HPV. If you are a sexually active person it’s important to keep a check on your genital health.
Regular STI testing and cervical cancer screening are recommended for good vaginal health. However, getting tested for sexually transmitted infections doesn’t mean that your partner is cheating on you. Early STI detection and timely treatment are crucial. As most HPV has no symptoms regular cervical screening can help helps to rule out any change in the cervix caused by HPV.
Most of the HPV goes on its own.9 However, there is a treatment for genital warts and changes in cervical cells that may lead to precancer lesions or cancers caused by HPV.10
Practicing safe sex is also an important part of your feminine health. As it will help protect you from HPV. Use condoms, be in a monogamous relationship, and limit the number of your partners.
Regular checkups, and practicing healthy habits helps to maintain your feminine health. And diagnosis helps to treat the infection at the right time.
As a health-conscious woman, educate yourself about STIs and their prevention. You can ask your gynecologist for HPV prevention including vaccination. also get a vaccine for HPV prevention. Talk to your doctor for more information about it.
To know more about HPV infection and prevention, visit here and talk to an expert.
The information contained herein is meant for awareness only and not meant to substitute doctor’s advice. Please speak to your doctor for more information.
Issued in public interest with MSD India.
References
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National Cancer Institute, https://www.cancer.gov/aboutcancer/causesprevention/risk/infectious-agents/hpv-and-cancer OCT 2021
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Report of the consultation on human papillomavirus vaccines: World Health Organization, Geneva, April 2005. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/69150/WHO_IVB_05.16.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y Accessed on 14 Oct 2022
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Cleveland clinic, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV): Causes, Testing, Treatment & Prevention, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11901-hpv-human-papilloma-virus#:~:text=Approximately Accessed on 14 Oct 2022.
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World Health Organization, Fact Sheet cervical cancer, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cervical-cancer accessed on 14 Oct 2022.
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Bruni L, Albero G, Serrano B, et al. ICO/IARC Information Centre on HPV and Cancer (HPV Information Centre). Human Papillomavirus and Related Diseases in India. Summary Report 22 October 2021.
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FOGSI’s Update in Obstetrics & Gynecology. Vol.2. New Delhi. Evangel Publishing. 2022. Chapter 33. HPV Vaccination-An Update.p.166. https://www.cancer.org/healthy/hpv-vaccine.html
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Asthana S, Busa V, Labani S. Oral contraceptives use and risk of cervical cancer- A systematic review & meta-analysis. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2020 Apr;247:163-175
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World Health Organisation. Factsheet. Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer. https://www.w-ho.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/human-papillomavirus-(HPV)-Andcervicalcancer Accessed on 3 March 2021
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Centers for disease control and preventionhttps://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5912a1.htm 2022
It is important that someone aware women about such illness. You have shared all the necessary information to make them aware about HPV.