Human papilloma virus causes genital warts and abnormal cells on the vulva, vagina and cervix. These abnormal cells can go away on their own in a healthy patient. We sometimes treat these abnormal cells with laser, burning, freezing, or excision. Most commonly, we see these abnormal cells on a pap smear, but sometimes we notice the abnormal areas by inspecting the vulva or vagina.

Cervical cancer is a very serious disease that can be life threatening. This disease is caused by certain HPV types that can cause the cells in the lining of the cervix to change from normal to precancerous lesions. If these are not treated, they can turn into cancer.

Genital warts are caused by certain types of HPV. They often appear as skin-colored growths. They are found on the inside of the outside of the genitals. They can itch, hurt, bleed, and cause discomfort. It can take multiple treatments to eliminate these lesions, and the treatment is painful.

HPV is a very common disease. It is estimated that 20 million people in the United States have the virus. The CDC estimates that at least 50% of sexually active people contract the HPV virus at sometime in their lives.

When a woman contracts one of the less serious strains of HPV, she can expect to be cured of it with time. However, is the strain "high risk", she may develop warts or cervical cancer.

The biggest problem with HPV is that people do not know they have the disease, and a man can easily be a carrier (someone who has the virus but does not have any symptoms). HPV can be transmitted by a man who will never have any problems associated with the disease to a woman who will manifest the virus as an abnormal pap, visible warts or cervical cancer.

Gardasil can prevent the most serious consequence of the disease: cervical cancer. It can prevent genital warts, which can be very difficult and painful to treat. It will not prevent diseases due to non-vaccine HPV types, however.