By Dr. Lucy Gade

They Say “It’s HPV.” Now What??!

Has this happened to you? Are you confused about what all of this means?

Understanding HPV

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common viral infection affecting about 1 in 4 people in the United States. This virus spreads through skin-to-skin or other intimate contact. Most sexually active people have HPV at some point in their life.

In most cases, HPV infection won’t show symptoms and will clear up on its own. But two strains of the virus, HPV-16 and HPV-18, can cause precancerous changes on the cervix that get picked up on pap smears.

IF LEFT UNADDRESSED these lesions can lead to cervical cancer in LESS THAN 1% of cases. Cervical cancer is generally asymptomatic until it has reached a later stage. This is why screening is recommended and why regular Pap screening has almost abolished advanced stage cervical cancer diagnosis in the United States.

Pap Smear Screening

If your pap smear result is “abnormal,” either abnormal cells were found when it was analyzed in the lab or, if an HPV test was done at the same time, the HPV result came back POSITIVE. In either case, the next step is usually a procedure called a “colposcopy.” A colposcopy takes a better sampling of the cervix and allows your doctor to get a closer look.

The colposcopy results will show what level of abnormal cells you have: low (CIN-1), moderate (CIN-2), or high (CIN-3). In most cases, your results from the colposcopy will just show CIN-1 or 2 and your doctor will recommend a “watch and wait” approach. This usually means you are done until your screening next year.

What Are We Watching and Waiting For??

The hope is that during the period of watchful waiting, your body will fight off the HPV and reverse the abnormal cells on its own. Ninety percent of the time, HPV infection clears up on its own within two years.

This is where you can make a difference. If your body fights off the HPV and reverses the abnormal cells, no further “treatment”” is necessary. So, the more successful your body is at doing this, the sooner your pap smear will be “back to normal.”

What Can I Do To Help My Body Fight HPV Successfully?

Glad you asked. It’s all about supporting and enhancing your immune system. Viruses are all around us. Millions in our body as we speak. Our immune system takes care of this and keeps them in their place.

It may sound too simple, but for the majority of people who struggle with HPV, changing these Seven basic lifestyle factors can make the biggest impact on restoring a strong and healthy immune system.

1 Get good sleep – 7-9 hours per night, in a dark room, with the same sleep and wake time on average every day (weekends and weekdays). Bedtime by 10pm is best.

2 Eat a healthy diet and remove toxins – removing foods that are troublesome for you, increasing whole foods, decreasing processed and inflammatory foods, like gluten, dairy, and sugar.

Include more ORGANIC leafy greens and berries in your diet. If not organic, they can be high in pesticides and not good. Aim for 8-10 servings per day and choose a colorful assortment.

3 Stop smoking! – If you smoke cigarettes, HPV is another reason to stop. Tobacco smoke speeds up the progression of mild abnormal to highly abnormal and beyond.

4 Include physical activity that you enjoy and be smart about how much – Add in exercise if you’re sedentary. Choosing a form of exercise you enjoy ensures that you will continue. Cut back on exercise if you’re overdoing it. Over-exercising can create inflammation and can further suppress immune function.

5 Manage your stress – this varies person to person. It can be as simple as adding a meditation practice or as life-changing as quitting your job or relocating. You know what your stressors are and can realize that they are affecting your health. Take this opportunity to make the changes you know you need to make.

6 Find happiness and joy – reducing stress is not enough. You need to add things in your life that you love and fill you with joy.

7 Spend time outside – go camping, hiking, even a walk in the park. It’s all about reconnecting with nature.

These Changes Have Major Benefits

Many people find that making these changes not only ramps up their immune function (helping them clear HPV), but also transforms their entire life. While some individuals can make these changes easily, others may need more support. Connect with our practice health coaches and work with them to make the permanent changes for better long term health.

What If I Can’t Clear The HPV Virus On My Own?

Part 2 will go over some additional PROACTIVE things that YOU can do to help eliminate HPV.

Please Share the Health if you liked what you read!!!

For more information about my wellness programs and my practice, check out my website drsadaty.com. Hey Look!  You are already here…

Ready for the legal disclaimer? Information offered here is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. As with any health recommendations, please contact your doctor to be sure any changes you wish to consider are safe for you!