Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of the cervix can lead to cervical cancer. A vaccine designed to prevent cervical cancer and other diseases caused by infection with HPVs was approved for use in the U.S. in June 2006. This is the first vaccine to be developed against a known risk factor for the development of a cancer.
While some HPV types infect the skin and cause benign warts and other lesions, about 40 types of HPVs can infect the genital tract. Genital HPV infection is very common in the general population; estimates suggest that up to 50% of all sexually active people will be infected at some point in their lives. In the majority of cases, the infection does not cause any symptoms, but in some women, HPV infection can progress to cause precancerous and cancerous lesions of the uterine cervix. HPVs that infect the genital area are also associated with other less common genital cancers in men and women such as cancers of the anus, vagina, penis, and vulva. HPV infection also causes genital warts in men and women.
The most common HPV types that infect the genital area are HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. Among these, HPV types 6 and 11 are most commonly associated with benign lesions, such as genital warts and mild precancerous changes of the cervix. In contrast, HPV types 16 and 18 are the types found in the majority of cancers as well as in severe precancerous changes of the cervix. The vaccine, called Gardasil, targets these four common HPV types.
Genital warts are caused by infection with a subgroup of the human
papillomaviruses (HPVs).
Another subgroup of the HPVs that infect the anogenital tract can lead to
precancerous changes in the uterine cervix and cause
cervical cancer.
HPV infection is now considered to be the most common sexually-transmitted
infection (sexually transmitted disease, STD) in the U.S., and it is believed
that at least 75% of the reproductive-age population has been infected with
sexually-transmitted HPV at some point in life.
HPV infection is common and does not usually lead to the development of
warts, cancers, or even symptoms.
HPV infection of the genital tract is transmitted through sexual contact,
although non-sexual transmission is also possible.
In many cases genital warts do not cause any symptoms, but they are
sometimes associated with itching, burning, or tenderness.
Condom use seems to decrease the risk of transmission of HPV during sexual
activity but does not completely prevent HPV infection.
What are human papillomaviruses (HPVs)?
There are over 100 types of human papillomaviruses (HPVs) that
infect humans. Of these, more than 40 types can infect the genital tract and anus
(anogenital tract) of
men and women and cause genital warts known as condylomata acuminata or
venereal warts. A subgroup of the HPVs that infect the anogenital tract
can
lead to precancerous changes in the uterine cervix and cause uterine, cervical cancer. HPV infection also is associated with the development of other
anogenital cancers in women. The HPV types that cause
cervical cancer also have
been linked with both anal and penile cancer in men as well as a subgroup of
head and neck cancers in both
women and men. Genital warts and HPV infection are transmitted primarily by
sexual intimacy, and the risk of infection increases as the number of sexual
partners increase.
The most common HPV types that infect the anogenital tract
are HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18 (HPV-6, HPV-11, HPV-16, and HPV-18), although
other HPV types can also infect the anogenital tract. Among these, HPV-6 and
HPV-11 are most commonly associated with benign lesions such as genital warts
and mild dysplasia of the cervix (potentially precancerous changes in the
appearance of cervical cells under a microscope) and are
termed "low-risk" HPV types. In contrast, HPV-16 and HPV-18 are the types found in the majority of
cervical and anogenital cancers as well as severe dysplasia of the cervix. These
belong to the so-called "high-risk" group of HPVs.
Other, different HPV types infect the skin and cause
common warts elsewhere on the body. Some types of HPVs (for example, HPV 5 and 8)
frequently cause skin cancers in people who have a condition
known as epidermodysplasia verruciformis.
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs,
are infections that are transmitted during any type of sexual exposure,
including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and the sharing of sexual
devices, such as vibrators. Women can contract all of the STDs, but may have no symptoms, or have different symptoms than men do.
Cervical cancer is cancer of the entrance to the womb (uterus). Regular pelvic exams and Pap testing can detect precancerous changes in the cervix. Precancerous changes in the cervix may be treated with cryosurgery, cauterization, or laser surgery. The most common symptom of cancer of the cervix is abnormal bleeding.
The term oral cancer includes cancer of the mouth (oral cavity) and the back of the mouth (oropharynx). Red and white patches inside the mouth, bleeding, loose teeth, pain upon swallowing, a lump in the neck, earache, and a sore on your lip or in your mouth that won't heal are all symptoms of oral cancer. Treatment for oral cancer depends upon the staging of the disease and usually involves surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
Vaginitis is any type of vaginal infection or inflammation. The six most common types of vaginitis are Candida (yeast infections), bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis vaginitis, chlamydia vaginitis, viral vaginitis, and noninfectious vaginitis. Symptoms include itching, burning, and abnormal vaginal discharge. Treatment is different for each type of vaginitis.
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are infections that are transmitted during any
type of sexual exposure, including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and
the sharing of sexual devices, such as vibrators. Although treatment exists for many STDs, others currently are
usually incurable, such as those caused by HIV, HPV, hepatitis B and C, and HHV-8.
Anal cancer, cancer located at the end of the large intestine, has symptoms that include anal or rectal bleeding, anal pain or pressure, anal discharge or itching, a change in bowel movements, and/or a lump in the anal region. Treatment for anal cancer may involve radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery and depends upon the stage of the cancer, its location, whether cancer is eradicated after the first treatment, and whether the patient has HIV.
Signs and symptoms of penile cancer include a lump on the penis and redness, irritation, or a sore on the penis. Risk of penis cancer is higher in uncircumcised men, due to a higher risk of HPV infection. Other risk factors include being over 60, having phimosis, having poor hygiene, using tobacco products, and having many sex partners. Prognosis and treatment depend upon the tumor's location and size, the stage of the cancer, and whether the cancer was recently diagnosed or if it recurred.
Vaginal cancer is fairly uncommon. There are two types of vaginal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. Risk factors include being 60 or older, exposure to DES while in the womb, HPV infection, and having a history of abnormal cervical cells. Painful intercourse, pelvic pain, vaginal lumps, and abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge are all symptoms of vaginal cancer. Treatment depends upon the stage of the vaginal cancer and may involve surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and the use of radiosensitizers.
The HPV virus (genital warts) in men can cause health problems. Genital warts are confined primarily to the moist skin of the genitals or around the anus. Genital warts are caused by the human papillomaviruses (HPVs), which are transmitted through sexual contact.
Syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease, is caused by a microscopic, wormlike bacterial organism called a spirochete. There are three stages of syphilis. The first involves the formation of the chancre. The second stage often includes hair loss, a sore throat, white patches in the nose, mouth, and vagina, fever, headaches, and a skin rash. The third stage can cause extensive damage to the internal organs and the brain, and can lead to death. Though early infection often resolves on its own, treatment usually varies based on the stage of the infection at the time of diagnosis.
Sexual health information including birth control, impotence, herpes, sexually transmitted diseases, staying healthy, women's sexual health concerns, and men's sexual health concerns. Learn about the most common sexual conditions affecting men and women.
Vaginitis refers to any type of inflammation or infection of the vagina.
There are different types of vaginitis including yeast vaginitis (yeast
infection), bacterial vaginosis, Trichomonas vaginalis infection, and
non-infectious vaginitis due to chemical irritation.
Treatment for vaginitis depends upon the cause. Antibiotics are used to
treat vaginal infections.
Some forms of vaginitis are due to
sexually-transmitted diseases
(STDs).
Symptoms of vaginitis can include burning,
itching, discomfort, pain with
urination or sexual intercourse, and vaginal discharge.
What is vaginitis?
Vaginitis is a term for any infection or inflammation of the vagina.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection of the cervix can lead to cervical cancer. A vaccine designed to prevent cervical cancer and other diseases caused by infection with HPVs was approved for use in the U.S. in June 2006. This is the first vaccine to be developed against a known risk factor for the development of a 
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