Life doesn’t wait, neither should you.
Protecting yourself starts with educating yourself about risks and prevention.
You can make an empowering decision to help protect yourself from certain HPV-related cancers and diseases.
To start, have an open conversation with your gynecologist or pediatrician about options that are appropriate for you and your loved ones including HPV vaccination.(1)
Madhuri Dixit, Supporting Cervical Cancer prevention
A disease awareness initiative supported by MSD
CANCER PREVENTION METHODS
Help protect yourself.
Get informed about vaccination
One of the many ways to help protect yourself from certain HPV-related cancers, including cervical cancer, is vaccination. Talk to your doctor for more information.(2)
Regular screening for Cervical cancer
Regular screening with your gynecologist can help detect cervical and other cancers early.(3)
Lifestyle changes
Reducing lifestyle-related risk factors can have a positive impact on your overall health.
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Quick WhatsApp chat covering the HPV virus, transmission, and related cancers.
Find a Vaccination Clinic
Locate a gynecologist or pediatrician near you (external link, market-specific).
FAQS
Frequently Asked Questions
HPV primarily spreads through sexual contact.
HPV may not always present with symptoms. If HPV symptoms do appear, they may take the form of genital HPV warts or abnormal cervical smears.
Genital warts are a disease caused as a result of the HPV infection. They appear as single or multiple growths or bumps around the genital area. Some HPV warts can cluster together, and can be identified by their cauliflower-like shape. Genital warts can be treated under the guidance of a healthcare practitioner.
HPV can spread from the mother to the child during pregnancy. Potential transmission can be through the amniotic fluid, through the placenta or due to contact with maternal genital mucosa during natural birth. This transmission is relatively rare.
As per clinical studies, the vaccine is generally well tolerated without risk of major adverse/side effects. Talk to your gynaecologist for further information on the right course for you.
Studies suggest that HPV vaccination does not cause infertility.
The HPV vaccine is generally well tolerated without risk of major adverse/side effects. Some of the side effects one may face are redness, pain and swelling around the injection site, or a headache and fever. However, these adverse events are mostly mild to moderate in intensity.
HPV vaccine is a first line of defence against HPV infection and certain related diseases & cancers. It can help reduce the risk of HPV-related genital warts and certain cancers by 90%.
HPV vaccines can help protect you from HPV types present in the vaccine that you haven’t been exposed to yet. Consult your doctor for information on HPV vaccination.
According to major national and international medical associations, HPV vaccination for girls and boys can begin at the age of 9 years. Consult your doctor for more information on HPV vaccination.
As per clinical studies, offering early vaccination before completing 15 years of age can help provide 2 times better immune response against HPV infection compared to HPV vaccination after 15 years. Hence, HPV vaccination is recommended for the girls 9 years and above. Consult your doctor for more information on HPV vaccination.
Even if you did not get vaccinated in your early teens, it is not too late to get vaccinated. Your gynaecologist can help you with more information on the right age to get vaccinated against HPV.
Please consult your doctor for more information.
Indian and global medical associations support HPV vaccination during the period and during breastfeeding. Consult your doctor for more information.
HPV vaccination for girls and boys can begin at the age of 9 years. Vaccination can be beneficial when it begins early, before exposure to HPV. Please consult your doctor for guidance on the recommended age for vaccination.
HPV vaccination may help offer long-lasting protection. As per studies conducted, there is no evidence of the vaccine’s protection decreasing over time for over 12 years.
HPV can be prevented by regular screenings and tests, timely HPV vaccination, and by taking care of your sexual health. HPV vaccination can help reduce the risk of HPV-related genital warts and cancer by 80%–90%.
HPV testing can be tricky since there are 200+ types of HPV. HPV tests only detect certain high-risk HPV types, such as HPV 16 and 18. Hence, it is important to stay vigilant and take the right measures to prevent infection.
According to the CDC, there are currently no approved HPV tests for men. It is recommended to contact your healthcare provider in case of any concerns.
Sexual monogamy and safe sex methods do not guarantee protection against HPV. Women, even those with a single partner, are at risk of contracting HPV.
Multiple research studies suggest that persistent HPV infection may lead to cervical cancer in women. Predominantly, HPV strains 16 and 18 are the serotypes to look out for. They are responsible for more than 95% of cervical cancer cases, as well as other anogenital cancers, globally
Persistent HPV infection with high-risk HPV types can cause certain cancers, including cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and anal cancers. Some HPV types can also cause genital warts.
Currently, there is no documented link between HPV and infertility in women.
HPV – Human Papillomavirus
This information is for awareness only and does not substitute for a doctor’s advice, please consult your doctor for more information.
IN-GSL-01842 – 29/9/2026 – 8/6/2028
Persons portrayed are not actual patients.
For demonstration purposes only.
- Pink book-Human Papillomavirus (v1.0) – REF-114092, How to Protect Against HPV – American Cancer Society – www.cancer.org (v1.0) – REF-285904 – Accessed on 17th July, 2026- https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/hpv/hpv-prevention.html
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Vanska_2020 – REF-125122 – Accessed on 17th July, 2026 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32161969/ , WHO – Questions and Answers about HPV Vaccination- Accessed June 2021 – REF-127562 – Accessed on 17th July, 2026
https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/356841/Q-and-A_HPV_Parents_EN.pdf - What cervical screening is HSE – REF-185693 – Accessed on 17th July, 2026 https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cervical-screening/ , QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS (HPV) – REF-82876 – Accessed on 17th July, 2026 https://www.who.int/europe/publications/i/item/WHO-EURO-2024-5631-49185-73415 , WHO – Questions and Answers about HPV Vaccination- Accessed June 2021 REF-127562 – Accessed on 17th July, 2026 https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/356841/Q-and-A_HPV_Parents_EN.pdf
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