Tips for Thriving Through Menopause
Some women seem to suffer heavily from menopause symptoms, while others bypass the worst. Small changes can add up to big relief. Here are some of the top tips to help you thrive through menopause.
Talking to Your Teen About HPV
The human papillomavirus (HPV) has over 100 different strains. Many of these have no symptoms and cause no health issues. All human warts start from an HPV infection, but the most concerning strains are those linked to cancer.
Nearly all cases of cervical cancer start with HPV. Gynecologist John A. Whitfield, MD, of Fort Worth, Texas, wants to remind parents that HPV transmits through skin-to-skin contact, including sex, so talking to your teen about HPV and its potential future health consequences is vital.
HPV and cancer
Besides cervical cancer, there are at least five other cancers associated with certain strains of HPV. These are:
- Anal
- Oropharyngeal (back of the throat)
- Penile
- Vaginal
- Vulval
HPV strains also cause genital warts. Since HPV spreads through skin-to-skin contact, sexual activity is a leading risk factor for contracting an infection.
Talking to your teen about HPV
Your first discussion about HPV with your child should predate the end of adolescence. There’s a vaccine that protects against infection from some of the more harmful HPV strains, and immunizing between the ages of 9 and 12 gives your preteen protection when it’s less likely they’ve come in contact with the virus.
If your older teen hasn’t yet been vaccinated, then the sexually transmitted injury (STI) status is more important to emphasize, though the cancer risk should be stressed too. This is the primary purpose of the vaccine, which they can receive at any time from adolescence through young adulthood. The earlier they receive it, the better protection they’ll enjoy.
Communicate these important points, tailored to your teen’s age and maturity:
- Describe what HPV is and how it’s transmitted
- Emphasize the routine nature of vaccination and protection
- Explain that HPV doesn’t always have symptoms
- Virtually everyone gets HPV
- Only a few strains are a potential health risk
Explain the sexual connection if your teen asks about it or if they’re sexually aware. Note that condoms partially protect against HPV, but since the virus may be present on skin that’s not isolated by a condom, infection for unvaccinated people remains possible.
When should my teen get the HPV vaccine?
HPV vaccines require more than one injection. Your teen’s age at the time of their first injection establishes which course of injections they’ll receive.
Between the ages of 9 and 14
As long as your child isn’t immunocompromised, the standard vaccine schedule for HPV is two injections, spaced between 6 months and 12 months apart.
From 15-26
Older teens receive three injections over a 6-month period. Children with weakened immune systems also receive this accelerated vaccination schedule, regardless of age, within the 9-26 age range.
Both female and male teens require HPV vaccination. Make an appointment for your daughter with John A. Whitfield, MD, and take your son to their pediatrician or primary care physician. Call 817-927-2229 to book with Dr. Whitfield today.
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