Know your body

Women's Health

Soft, honest, evidence-based info on what's happening, plus space to track and reflect.

A gentle reminder: This is educational information shared with love, not medical advice. Always talk with your trusted healthcare provider about what's right for your body.

What is HPV?

Human Papillomavirus is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world. About 80% of sexually active people will get HPV at some point. There are over 200 types, most are cleared by your immune system within 1–2 years and cause no problems.

Types of HPV

Low-risk types (like HPV 6 and 11), cause genital warts but don't cause cancer.
High-risk types (HPV 16, 18, and ~12 others), can cause cervical, anal, throat, vulvar, vaginal, and penile cancers when persistent.
HPV 16 and 18 cause about 70% of cervical cancers.

HPV vaccine

Gardasil 9 protects against 9 HPV types, including the highest-risk cancer-causing ones.
Recommended for everyone ages 9–26; approved up to age 45 (talk to your provider about benefit).
2 doses if started before 15; 3 doses if started later.
Most effective before sexual activity begins, but still beneficial after.
Does not treat existing HPV, only prevents new infection of those types.

Cervical cancer, symptoms & prevention

Most early cervical cancer has no symptoms. That's why screening is everything. When symptoms appear, they're often late-stage.

Bleeding between periods, after sex, or after menopause
Watery, bloody, or foul-smelling discharge
Pelvic pain or pain during sex
Advanced: leg swelling, back pain, weight loss

Prevention: HPV vaccination + regular screening (PAP and/or HPV test) + safer sex + not smoking (smoking weakens immune clearance of HPV).

PAP smear, when to start and how often

Ages 21–29: PAP every 3 years.
Ages 30–65: Co-testing (PAP + HPV) every 5 years, OR PAP alone every 3 years, OR HPV test alone every 5 years.
Over 65: Often can stop if recent results are normal, talk to your provider.
After hysterectomy: Depends on reason and whether the cervix was removed, talk to your provider.
Higher-risk groups (HIV, immunocompromised, prior abnormal results) need more frequent screening.

What abnormal results mean

ASCUS, atypical cells of undetermined significance. Often nothing serious; may repeat the test or do HPV testing.
LSIL, low-grade changes. Often clears on its own; usually followed up with colposcopy.
HSIL, high-grade changes. More likely to progress; needs colposcopy and possibly treatment (LEEP, cone biopsy).
AGC, atypical glandular cells. Requires further evaluation.
HPV-positive with normal PAP, may repeat in a year or do further testing.
"Abnormal" rarely means cancer. It means let's look closer.