Understanding Human Papillomavirus
Human papillomavirus is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in the world.
What is Human Papillomavirus?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common causes of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) in the world. More than 100 different types of HPV exist, most of which are harmless. About 30 types are spread through sexual contact. Some types of HPV cause genital warts, single or multiple bumps that appear in the genital areas of men and women including the vagina, cervix, vulva (area outside of the vagina), penis, and rectum. Many people infected with HPV have no symptoms.
There are high-risk and low-risk types of Human Papillomavirus. High-risk HPV may cause abnormal Pap smear results, and could lead to cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, anus, or penis. Low-risk HPV also may cause abnormal Pap results or genital warts.
Health experts estimate there are more cases of genital HPV infection than any other STI in the United States. According to the American Social Health Association, approximately 5.5 million new cases of sexually transmitted HPV infections are reported every year. At least 20 million people in this country are already infected.
All types of Human Papillomavirus can cause mild Pap test abnormalities which do not have serious consequences. Approximately 10 of the 30 identified genital HPV types can lead, in rare cases, to development of cervical cancer. Specifically, HPV 16 and HPV 18 have been found in 90% of cases of cervical cancer. Research has shown that for most women (90 percent), cervical HPV infection becomes undetectable within two years. Although only a small proportion of women have persistent infection, persistent infection with “high-risk” types of HPV is the main risk factor for cervical cancer.
Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia is also called “CIN.” Sometimes it may be called cervical dysplasia. CIN means that there is a change in the cells on the surface of the cervix. The cervix is the bottom part of the uterus. With CIN normal cells are replaced with cells that are not normal (abnormal). Over time, it is possible for these abnormal cells to turn into cancer.
Any woman can have CIN. CIN itself is not cancer. But it can turn into cancer of the cervix. Following are the 3 types of CIN:
CIN I This is also called mild dysplasia.
CIN II This is also called moderate dysplasia.
CIN III This is also called severe dysplasia.
It is not known for sure what causes CIN but it may be caused by a virus that is spread during sex. The virus that causes venereal warts (“HPV”) is thought to play a role in many cases of CIN and cervical cancer. You may be more likely to get CIN if you have many sex partners or if your partner has many sex partners.
The following may put you at a higher risk of having CIN.
*Less than 20 years of age at the time of first sex.
*Having a sexually transmitted disease (STD), like HPV, herpes, or
cytomegalovirus (CMV).
*A Pap smear test that is not normal.
*Cigarette smoking.
A Pap test can detect pre-cancerous and cancerous cells on the cervix. Regular Pap testing and careful medical follow-up, with treatment, if necessary, can help ensure that pre-cancerous changes in the cervix caused by HPV infection do not develop into life-threatening cervical cancer. The Pap test used in U.S. cervical cancer screening programs is responsible for greatly reducing deaths from cervical cancer. For 2004, the American Cancer Society estimates that about 10,520 women will develop invasive cervical cancer and about 3,900 women will die from this disease. Most women who develop invasive cervical cancer have not had regular cervical cancer screening.
Although there is currently no medical cure for Human Papillomavirus infection, the lesions and warts these viruses cause can be treated. Methods commonly used to treat lesions include cryosurgery (freezing that destroys tissue), LEEP (loop electrosurgical excision procedure, the removal of tissue using a hot wire loop), and conventional surgery. Similar treatments may be used for external genital warts.
In addition, some drugs may be used to treat external genital warts. More information about treatment for genital warts can be found in the: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines 2002.
Alternative Medicine for Human Papillomavirus
A study of the clinical efficacy of green tea extracts (polyphenon E; poly E and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate [EGCG]) delivered in a form of ointment or capsule in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV) infected cervical lesions. Fifty-one patients with cervical lesions (chronic cervicitis, mild dysplasia, moderate dysplasia, and severe dysplasia) were divided into four groups, as compared with 39 untreated patients as a control. Poly E ointment was applied locally to 27 patients twice a week. For oral delivery, 200 mg of poly E or EGCG capsule was taken orally every day for eight to 12 weeks. In the study, 20 out of 27 patients (74%) under poly E ointment therapy showed a response. Six out of eight patients under poly E ointment plus poly E capsule therapy (75%) showed a response, and three out of six patients (50%) under poly E capsule therapy showed a response. Six out of 10 patients (60%) under EGCG capsule therapy showed a response.
Overall, a 69% response rate was noted for treatment with green tea extracts, as compared with a 10% response rate (4/39) in untreated controls (P<0.05). Thus, the data collected here demonstrated that green tea extracts in a form of ointment and capsule are effective for treating cervical lesions, suggesting that green tea extracts can be a potential therapy regimen for patients with Human Papillomavirus infected cervical lesions.
Women who consume low amounts of foods rich in vitamin C, beta carotene and folic acid have a higher incidence of CIN and HPV. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes (beans) will provide generous amounts of these nutrients.
Antioxidants seem to reduce the risk of CIN and cancer. Low levels of vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E are associated with a greater risk of CIN and possibly cervical cancer.
The number of antioxidants in a daily multivitamin is reasonable and safe.
Copper levels tend to be higher in women with CIN or gynecologic tumors. It may be wise to avoid taking copper supplements if dealing with CIN.
Folic acid levels tend to be lower in women with dysplasia and HPV. Folic acid may help prevent CIN but does not appear to eradicate existing CIN. Very high doses of folic acid have been used in treatment, but the amounts present in a B-complex supplement or a daily multivitamin are reasonable for preventive purposes.
Pyridoxine (B6) levels tend to be low in cervical cancer. It is interesting that birth control pills can lower B6 levels and birth control pills also seem to be a risk factor for CIN which can progress to cervical cancer if left untreated. Taking vitamin B6 in a daily multivitamin or B-complex supplement may be beneficial, particularly if using birth control pills.
Riboflavin (B2) levels tend to be low in women with CIN. Riboflavin vaginal suppositories have actually been shown to cause regression of CIN.
Selenium levels tend to be lower in women with cervical cancer. Selenium has been shown to reduce the incidence of experimentally induced cervical cancer in laboratory animals. A dose of 200 micrograms daily of selenium is reasonable and safe. This amount of selenium is often available in a daily multivitamin.
Zinc levels tend to be lower in women with CIN or gynecologic tumors. Taking 15 – 30 milligrams of zinc daily in a multivitamin is reasonable.
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References
CDC-INFO
1-800-CDC-INFO (800-232-4636)
TTY: 1-888-232-6348
About the Author
Connect with Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac at peacefulmind.com “Living Life, Consciously” Alternative medicine and therapies for healing mind, body & spirit!
