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What are the Effects of HPV on Pregnancy?

T. K. Marks
T. K. Marks

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease that affects millions of people around the world, but the effects of HPV on pregnancy are extremely rare. Most cases of HPV clear up without ever presenting symptoms. It is quite possible for pregnant woman to have HPV without ever knowing it. Only the strains of HPV that cause warts have been linked in studies to any potential risks to a newborn, and even then, it occurs only in very special circumstances.

HPV is best known as the virus responsible for genital warts. There are, however, many strains of HPV aside from the few that cause genital warts. Most are completely invisible and never present symptoms. Some, however, have been linked to cell changes in the cervix that can lead to cervical cancer. Health practitioners are usually concerned only about the effects of HPV on pregnancy when active cases of genital warts are involved.

A pregnant woman should always consult her gynecologist if she has questions about HPV or any other health concern.
A pregnant woman should always consult her gynecologist if she has questions about HPV or any other health concern.

During pregnancy, genital warts sometimes grow and spread dramatically. Many experts attribute this to the increased hormones coursing through a woman's body during pregnancy, and others believe the spread in genital warts is because of greater vaginal discharge, which leads to more moisture in the genital area. HPV thrives in moist environments. If the number and size of the warts increase too much, it is likely that a health practitioner will recommend removing the warts. There are many safe ways to remove warts during pregnancy, including searing them off with a special acid, using liquid nitrogen to freeze them off or surgical removal.

The human papilloma virus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that affects millions of people worldwide.
The human papilloma virus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that affects millions of people worldwide.

If a severe case of genital warts is allowed to multiply unmonitored, it will still pose no danger to a baby until delivery. There are no in utero HPV fetal effects and no risks of mother-to-child transmission with the other strains of HPV and an unborn baby. There also are no risks of transmission if the pregnant woman has a past history of genital warts but no active case. If the woman has an active case of genital warts, her doctors will watch for signs of any of the potential effects of HPV on pregnancy.

Some forms of HPV can lead to cervical cancer, although that may have little or no effect on a pregnancy.
Some forms of HPV can lead to cervical cancer, although that may have little or no effect on a pregnancy.

During delivery, if genital warts exist in the birth canal, there is an extremely small but present danger of HPV transmission to the infant. This can lead to a condition called recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, in which the HPV creates lesions on the vocal cords and throat of the infant, which can lead to life-threatening breathing difficulties. If there is a chance the child has been exposed to HPV, though, it will be monitored carefully by a specialist throughout its infancy.

HPV is best known as the virus responsible for genital warts, which may be contracted despite condom use.
HPV is best known as the virus responsible for genital warts, which may be contracted despite condom use.

Another concern with the presence of genital warts during delivery is the risk posed to the mother if the warts break open and bleed excessively. This is why a health practitioner might recommend a cesarean delivery if the warts are heavily blocking the birth canal. Cesareans are not generally recommended in the majority of genital warts cases unless there are other unrelated complications present. In the vast majority of instances, the effects of HPV on pregnancy cause no harm, and the infants and mothers experience no additional health problems.

Discussion Comments

laughlion56

HPV or human papillomavirus is very contagious and can be passed from mother to child during childbirth. There is no known cure for human papillomavirus, but adolescents can be vaccinated against some forms of human papillomavirus thought to eventually lead to certain cancers.

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    • A pregnant woman should always consult her gynecologist if she has questions about HPV or any other health concern.
      By: Milissenta
      A pregnant woman should always consult her gynecologist if she has questions about HPV or any other health concern.
    • The human papilloma virus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that affects millions of people worldwide.
      By: Syda Productions
      The human papilloma virus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) that affects millions of people worldwide.
    • Some forms of HPV can lead to cervical cancer, although that may have little or no effect on a pregnancy.
      By: joshya
      Some forms of HPV can lead to cervical cancer, although that may have little or no effect on a pregnancy.
    • HPV is best known as the virus responsible for genital warts, which may be contracted despite condom use.
      By: Peter Atkins
      HPV is best known as the virus responsible for genital warts, which may be contracted despite condom use.
    • In some cases, a pregnant woman is unaware of the fact that she has the human papillomavirus (HPV).
      By: Radek Sturgolewski
      In some cases, a pregnant woman is unaware of the fact that she has the human papillomavirus (HPV).