Cervical HPV Symptoms

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a sexually transmitted disease that can infect a woman's cervix. However, only a few strains of HPV can result in damage to the cervix, through cervical cancer and cervical warts. While the damage to the cervix can be detected with an annual Pap smear, women can also take steps to protect themselves by using condoms during intercourse and Gardasil, the HPV vaccination. However, once a woman has been infected with HPV, the Gardasil vaccination will not cure any cervical damage.

Strains of HPV

Multiple strains of HPV exist; however, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only four strains cause serious symptoms in women. These strains of HPV can be divided into two groups: "low-risk" strains and "high-risk" strains. The two "low-risk" strains of HPV are 6 and 11; they cause genital warts in women. The two "high-risk" strains of HPV are 16 and 18; they cause cervical cancer in women. All four of these strains can be prevented through using protection during intercourse, like condoms, or through the vaccine Gardasil.

Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer is the most severe cervical HPV symptom. According to the Mayo Clinic, about 11,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in the United States every year; in addition, nearly 3,800 women die each year in the United States die from cervical cancer. For many patients, symptoms of cervical cancer do not appear until the cancer is in its advanced stages. Thus, it is important for women to have their annual Pap smears during a gynecological examination; the Pap smear can identify abnormal cells caused by the cervical cancer. However, some women do have symptoms of cervical cancer. According to the Mayo Clinic, abnormal vaginal bleeding is a common symptom of cervical cancer. Examples of abnormal vaginal bleeding is very heavy menstrual bleeding and bleeding in between periods.

Genital Warts

Genital warts can also appear on a woman's cervix as a result of a HPV infection. According to the CDC, the cervical warts can form singly, or in groups. The shape of the cervical warts range from flat, raised to cauliflower-shaped; in addition, the cervical warts can be small or large. The cervical warts begin to form within weeks or months after the patient has sexual intercourse with an infected partner. If the cervical warts are left untreated, the warts may go away; however, the cervical warts can also remain unchanged or increase in size or quantity.