Cervical Dysplasia Prevention

Gardasil was approved by the FDA for use in males and females aged 9-26. This vaccine has been shown to be safe and 100% effective in preventing infection with the four most common HPV types (6, 11, 16, and 18) in women who have had no previous exposure to the virus. However, it is less effective in women who have already been infected with HPV, and it does not protect against all types of HPV infection.

Abstinence from sexual activity can prevent the spread of HPV infection, but some researchers believe that HPV infection might be transmitted from the mother to infant in the birth canal. Hand-genital and oral-genital spread of HPV is also possible. Condoms may decrease the risk of contracting HPV during sexual activity but are not 100% effective in preventing the infection. Spermicides and hormonal birth control methods do not prevent HPV infection. HPV is not found in or spread by bodily fluids or transplanted organs.