Papillomavirus (HPV) in women is detected more often only because they go to gynecologists regularly, paying more attention to unpleasant symptoms and discomfort. It is believed that first sexual contact increases the risk of transmission of the virus by 60-70%, and up to 30 years of age there is the highest likelihood of infection.
Manifestations and activity of papillomavirus
The exact time of transmission of HPV in women is difficult to determine: it takes three months or more before the onset of external symptoms. Among the hundreds of known strains of HPV, about thirty most often cause changes in the female body:
1. Skin manifestations such as common warts, plantar warts, flat warts, or generalized warts are the result of HPV types 1, 2, 3, and other less active types.
2. For a rash on the genitals - genital and flat condylomas - the sixth and eleventh HPVs are responsible. Dysplastic and cancerous pathologies of the cervix, cancerous changes in the external genital organs provoke oncogenic subtypes 16, 18, 31, 33 and 35.
3. Damage to the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, as well as cancerous processes of the mouth and throat are caused by types associated withwarts and condylomas, as well as HPV type 13.
Diagnosis of the papilloma virus
HPV in women is detected only by high-precision methods, since it belongs to DNA viruses, the genome of which is enclosed in a protein capsid. Penetrating into tissues, it causes intraepithelial neoplasia, and then integrates DNA into cells.
Examination for HPV in women is usually associated with an examination of the cervix under a microscope - colposcopy. During the procedure, the mucous membrane is treated with weak solutions of vinegar and iodine, this is how pathological areas that are prone to rebirth are determined.
HPV tests involve the study of cellular material:
1. PCR diagnostics consists in taking a scraping from the cervix to determine the presence of HPV and its type. This test shows the activity of the infection, as well as the risk of oncological degeneration.
2. Colposcopy complements any analysis for HPV in women, as it shows the degree of cell degeneration under the influence of the virus. According to the Papanicolaou classification, there are five stages of changes: the first is the normal state of cells, the second is minor signs of inflammation, the third is the appearance of cells with large nuclei, the fourth is an increase in nuclei, the appearance of defects in the cytoplasm and chromosomes, and the fifth is cancerous transformations.
3. A biopsy is the examination of a sample of the mucous membrane or warts under a microscope to look for dangerous changes.
Gynecological features of papillomavirus
Only 50% of those infected with HPV show externalsymptoms that bring women to the gynecologist:
1. Genital warts cover the vestibule of the vagina and anus, increasing the risk of infection of partners. It is recommended to remove them with liquid nitrogen, laser, electric currents.
2. Bloody discharge from the vagina and aching pain in the lower abdomen are rare signals of erosion (ectopia) of the cervix, which often does not make itself felt.
3. Flat warts on the internal parts of the genital organs are to be removed after a thorough examination for cytology and histology. They can cause itching and abnormal discharge.
4. Dysplasia that has affected the tissues of the cervix and was detected by a Pap smear may be an indication for conization (cutting off the epithelium). Unfortunately, this process is asymptomatic.
Regular examinations at the gynecologist allow you to diagnose pathologies in the early stages and stop their development.
