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What you need to know about getting the HPV vaccine as an adult.<\/p>\n
Narrator: HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection that can cause genital warts and several types of\u00a0 cancers, including cervical, anal, vaginal, vulvar, and head and neck.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The HPV vaccine can help protect you from these diseases, but knowing when you should get it as an adult can be confusing and, for some, it can be an uncomfortable topic to discuss with a healthcare provider. So, here are some ideas for how to talk about this important topic.<\/p>\n
Dr: That\u2019s about it for today, Lara. Don\u2019t forget to schedule your next physical. Before you go, do you have any questions?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lara: You know I got divorced last year, and I\u2019m dating again. A friend of mine said I need to get the HPV vaccine, but I don\u2019t know what HPV even is.<\/p>\n
Dr: HPV is the most common type of sexually transmitted infection and by age 50, at least four out of five women will have been infected with the virus.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lara: I\u2019ve never been diagnosed with HPV and my ex-husband was my only sexual partner.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dr: Even if you\u2019ve never had HPV, you could still get it now that you\u2019re sexually active with new partners. Most HPV infections go away on their own, but some can cause cancer, so it\u2019s important to be protected.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lara: So is it too late to get vaccinated?<\/p>\n
Dr: No, it\u2019s not too late. It\u2019s ideal for boys and girls to get vaccinated against HPV at age 11 or 12 \u2014\u00a0before they\u2019re sexually active \u2014\u00a0so they can be protected from certain cancers and genital warts, but the vaccine is approved for adults up to age 45.<\/p>\n
And since most women have not been infected by all nine types of HPV that the vaccine gives protection for, it might still make sense for you to get it. Let’s look at your past Pap and HPV tests, and go over the specifics of the vaccine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Narrator: This is how we\u2019d all like the conversations to go.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But how should you handle it if you want to get vaccinated and your healthcare provider pushes back?\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lara: You know I got divorced last year, and I\u2019m dating again. So I\u2019d like to get the HPV vaccine.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Dr: I don\u2019t think you really need it. The vaccine prevents new HPV infections, but it doesn\u2019t treat existing HPV. That\u2019s why it\u2019s best for boys and girls to get vaccinated\u00a0 at 11 or 12 before they\u2019ve ever been exposed to the virus. The vaccine is only recommended for people up to age 26 if they didn\u2019t receive it when they were younger. Since you\u2019re in your 30s, you really don\u2019t need to worry about it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Lara: I\u2019ve heard that, but it is approved all the way up to age 45. Since I haven\u2019t ever tested positive for HPV before, and I know HPV can cause cancer, I think I should get it. I don\u2019t want to take any chances.<\/p>\n
Dr: \u00a0Well, most adults who\u2019ve been sexually active have already been exposed to HPV, but not necessarily all of the HPV types targeted by the vaccine. And at any age, having a new sex partner is a risk factor for getting a new HPV infection. So if you really want the vaccine, it is your right to get it. I\u2019ll send the nurse in to go over the details.<\/p>\n
Narrator: Getting the HPV vaccine after age 26 should be a shared decision-making process with your healthcare provider.\u00a0 <\/p>\n
Just be sure to check with your insurance to see if the vaccine will be covered or ask about the cost if you don\u2019t have health coverage.<\/p>\n
Remember, although it may be uncomfortable, you have the right to advocate for yourself to get the healthcare you need.\u00a0<\/p>\n