Ten Facts About Genital HPV

Vaccines are available to protect men and women against some of the more common forms of HPV. These vaccines are given in three doses. It is important to get all three injections for the best protection. The vaccines are most effective when given before a person’s first sexual contact. Two vaccines, Cervarix and Gardisil, protect girls and women against the types of HPV that cause cervical cancer. Gardisil also protects against most genital warts and is used to protect males as well. It is recommended that females get the same vaccine brand for all three doses, when possible. Using condoms may lower the risk for HPV, but may not fully protect. To be most effective, a condom should be used with every sex act, from start to finish. It is important to note that HPV can affect areas that are not protected by a condom. People can lower their chance of getting HPV by being in a faithful relationship with one partner, limiting their number of sex partners, and choosing a partner who has no or few prior sex partners. None of these prevention measures offer absolute protection against HPV.