Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted disease that can cause genital warts; it is also the major cause of cervical cancer according to the National Cancer Institute.
The Centers for Disease Control states that approximately 20 million Americans are currently infected with HPV, and another 6.2 million people become newly infected each year.
Virtua OB/GYNs partner with their patients to inform them about this extremely common disease and provide screenings with Pap smears. If abnormal cells are found in the Pap smear, an OB/GYN may do follow up testing using colposcopy, which proviades a magnified view of the cervix and also allows the doctor to biopsy a small area of the cervix for a definitive diagnosis.
For women with genital warts, OB/GYNs offer a variety of treatments including medicated creams, cryosurgery (freezing), electrocautery (burning) or laser surgery.
Many doctors, including OB/GYNs, pediatricians and family practitioners, offer the vaccine that prevents infection against four of the HPV strains responsible for the majority of genital warts and cervical cancer in women. This vaccine is recommended for girls and women ages 9 to 26.