Gardasil

The most common condition that Gardasil is approved for the prevention of certain strands of the human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted disease. HPV often does not have many symptoms so many women who contract the disease are often unaware that they have it and, therefore, do not get it treated. If left untreated, the human papillomavirus can cause cervical cancer and other conditions such as genital warts, and may lead to infertility. A person who contracts cervical cancer from the human papillomavirus cannot have the cancer treated by Gardasil and Gardasil is not a treatment for any kind of cancer. Instead, it is a vaccine designed to prevent certain strands of a sexually transmitted disease that may potentially lead to cervical cancer in the future.

The disease can also lead to cancers of the vulva or the vagina. Vaginal and vulvar cancers are very significant and can be very serious. The Gardasil vaccine can help to protect women from specific types of these cancers and is worth consideration for women in the approved age group, especially if they are or plan to be sexually active. Many women and young girls are uncomfortable talking to their doctors about their sexual activity, especially if they have had or are interested in having multiple partners, but sexual activity places women at higher risk for HPV and other sexually transmitted diseases, making it important to keep open and honest communication with a doctor when addressing sexual activity.