{"id":14140,"date":"2019-01-22T20:40:10","date_gmt":"2019-01-22T12:40:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/?p=14140"},"modified":"2020-05-26T14:36:32","modified_gmt":"2020-05-26T12:36:32","slug":"its-cervical-health-awareness-week-so-lets-get-aware","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/its-cervical-health-awareness-week-so-lets-get-aware\/","title":{"rendered":"It\u2019s Cervical Health Awareness Week, so Let\u2019s Get Aware!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Happy New Year, Intimina fans! If you\u2019re thinking #NewYearNewMe, then why not start the year off by getting serious about your intimate health? In January is Cervical Health Awareness Week, and if that\u2019s making you go, \u2018Huh?\u2019 then it\u2019s time that you get hit with 5 hard truths about your cervix<\/a> and making sure it\u2019s getting the TLC it deserves.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

1. Cervical Cancer Can Be Fatal (But It\u2019s Preventable)<\/h2>\r\n

In the United States alone, around 12,000 people are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year, and for 1\/3, it will be fatal. However, when detected at an early stage, the 5-year survival rate of cervical cancer is 92% – by reading this article and taking note of how to prevent and detect it, you\u2019re already making a great start!<\/p>\r\n

2. HPV is Nearly Always the Culprit<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

Virtually all cervical cancer is caused by HPV (human papillomavirus) \u2013 a group of some 40 related viruses \u2013 with nearly 70% attributed to HPV 16 and 18. HPV spreads from skin-to-skin contact, which means that it can still be passed between partners if you\u2019re using condoms, or if you\u2019re abstaining from penis-in-vagina penetrative sex.<\/p>\r\n

Yep, that\u2019s right, you can get HPV from things like fingering or unprotected oral sex.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

3. Almost Everyone Will Have HPV In Their Lifetime<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

It\u2019s estimated that three quarters of the reproductive-aged population will have a strain of HPV at some point during their life \u2013 and largely,they won\u2019t see any effects. Most strains of HPV are innocuous, and will go away on their own as your body passes the infection.<\/p>\r\n

It\u2019s only persistent infection with high-risk strains 16 and 18 that can lead to cervical cancer, and generally, once you\u2019ve had a strain, you should be immune to it, though that is not necessarily true of immunocompromised members of the population.<\/p>\r\n

4. Vaccinations Are the Only Way to Protect Your Sex Life<\/h2>\r\n

As mentioned, barrier protections \u2013 think male and female condoms<\/a>, as well as dental dams \u2013 may not totally protect you during sexual activity, as HPV is spread through skin to skin contact. Vaccinations such as Gardasil protect against HPV-6, 11, 16, and 18, which are the strains most likely to cause genital warts and cervical cancer, respectively. Vaccination, as well as safer sex practices and STI testing<\/a> every 6 months (unless you are monogamous) are the best ways to protect your cervical health.<\/p>\r\n

5. Pap Smears Are Still Important<\/h2>\r\n

The frequency with which you are recommended to get a Pap smear (a cervical examination) if you\u2019re under 30 is about every 3 years. However, if you do test positive for high-risk HPV, your doctor will recommend more frequent testing to see if abnormal cervical cells are growing.<\/p>\r\n

Even if you do have an abnormal Pap smear, you can be totally fine \u2013 relax! \u2013 your doctor will recommend something called a colposcopy to make absolutely sure, and will let you know exactly how often you need to be checking up.<\/p>\r\n

And remember, even if you\u2019re vaccinated and sticking to a strict 3-year schedule for Pap smear, it\u2019s still important that you get tested for other STIs on a regular basis, even if your sexual partner doesn\u2019t have a penis or you\u2019re not having penis-penetrative sex. We know sexual health screenings can seem scary, especially if you\u2019re not sure what to expect, but they\u2019re really no big deal!<\/p>\r\n

They might feel a little awkward, but being responsible for your intimate health<\/a> and safety will feel a lot less uncomfortable than some of the more unpleasant outcomes of ignoring it!<\/p>\r\n

\u00a0<\/div>\r\n

\u00a0<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Happy New Year, Intimina fans! If you\u2019re thinking #NewYearNewMe, then why not start the year off by getting serious about your intimate health? 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