Today, I really want to talk about diseases. There is no real reason for this desire today, except for that it sounds fun and I want to. The one I really want to talk about also involves a vaccine that does not get my “Gold Condom Seal of Approval.” I do not find it worthwhile for the price or for the overall protection. Today I will be talking about HPV (Human Papillomavirus), and the vaccine Gardasil.

So here is the deal about HPV. There are more than 100 types of HPV, of which 40 are sexually transmitted. Once infected, this disease can affect basically everything including the vulva, the cervix, the rectum and the penis. There are a couple of results that can occur when infected. One result can be different cancers, more specifically cervical cancer, but there are others as well. Another result can be genital warts.

Clearly, neither of these results are pleasant or desirable. Fortunately there are more treatments and ways to deal with the cancer than the warts. Genital warts are a forever type of disease. They are viral, meaning that you can never cure them, but rather treat them only — by freezing or burning them off, for example. Fortunately, you can get screened and tested for both of these.
There is also a preventative way to deal with the HPV types that cause cancer … at least there is a way to deal with four of the types.

I will admit that the Gardasil vaccine is a great idea. It is a wonderful concept and has the potential to do some good in the world. However, I do not fully support it in that it is not fully protective, somewhat of a hassle, and relatively expensive. First of all, it is a three shot series, each costing approximately $120, so you are looking at almost $400 for this vaccine. Second, the vaccine is most effective in women who have had no sexual activity. Basically, it is only “fully” effective if the individual does not already have any of the HPV types and having sexual experience increases the chances of having contracted HPV. Third, the vaccine is not fully effective.

Here is how the efficacy breaks down. The vaccine is almost 100 percent effective in preventing cancers caused by HPV. That sounds awesome until you do the math. There are 40 types of HPV that cause cancer and warts. Out of those, there are two types that specifically cause genital warts. Gerdasil protects against four types of HPV, which includes the two types for genital warts. Doing the math suggests that the vaccine prevents two to three types of HPV that cause cancer. Basically, this means there are still approximately 36 more types of HPV that can result in cancer. But hey, you might be 100 percent protected against the other two types, and that is if you have had no sexual experience.

On top of that, even if you have received the full series of shots against HPV, you will still need to continue being screened for cancer, especially cervical cancer because there is not full protection, and there is still a chance of contracting genital warts and having an outbreak. If you see small, cauliflower-like bumps surrounding the infected area, you have an outbreak.
Then there is the fact that it is only effective for women. Yes, I am aware that only women can get cervical cancer; however, genital warts are gender neutral. Therefore, it stands to reason — at least in my mind — that this vaccine should be altered to be effective for both men and women at least against genital warts.

So, it all boils down to the fact that I do not agree with, or support, the HPV vaccine. I do not think it is worth the money, especially for the limited protection gained along with the criteria a person must possess for it to be effective.

If you want to get this shot, that is a personal choice you have to make, but if it were me, I would strongly protest. I think the better option in this instance is to go in for regular exams and take an active role in your health and wellness. Do not rely on a series of shots to protect you from this disease. Instead, enjoy your sexual life but take the appropriate preventative measures.

Have fun, be safe, and take care of yourself.

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