Conditions and Management

If you are considering getting the Gardasil vaccine, you may have some questions about the shot itself and the vaccination process. Here’s a look at what you need to know before getting the Gardasil vaccine.

Who Needs The Gardasil Vaccine?

vaccine that is recommended around the ages of 11 to 12, although it may be given to children as young as 9. The aim of giving this vaccine to preteens is to provide them with protection from the types of HPV infections that could cause cancer later in life.

Gardasil is an HPVIn general, the CDC recommends that 11- and 12-year-olds be given two doses of the vaccine 6 to 12 months apart. Anyone who gets the vaccine before turning 15 will only need two doses.
The vaccination schedule is slightly different for those who are older. Teens and adults who start the series of vaccinations after the age of 15 will need three doses.

For those older than 26, the decision about whether to get the Gardasil vaccine should be made on a case-by-case basis. Those between the ages of 27 and 45 should discuss their risk of a new HPV infection with their doctor, along with the potential benefits of getting the vaccine. Generally speaking, the vaccine offers less of a benefit to people in this age range because many will have already been exposed to the virus.

Who Should Avoid Gardasil?

Besides those outside of the appropriate age group, people with allergies should proceed with caution. Be sure to discuss any severe allergies that you have with your physician before getting the vaccine. In particular, anyone who has experienced a life-threatening allergic reaction in the past to any of the ingredients in the HPV vaccine or a previous dose of it should not get the vaccine, nor should those who have an allergy to yeast or are currently pregnant.

However, it is safe to get the vaccine when you are mildly ill, such as if you currently have a cough, runny nose, cold, or low-grade fever. If you are experiencing a moderate or severe illness, however, it is best to wait until you are feeling better to get the vaccine.

What Are The Side Effects?

Many people will not experience any side effects from the HPV vaccine, while others report mild side effects, such as a sore arm at the injection site. This may also be accompanied by redness or swelling.

Some of the other common side effects include dizziness, headache, tiredness, muscle or joint pain, nausea, or fever. Some people may faint after getting the vaccine, particularly those who are younger. Adolescents will generally be asked to remain seated or to lie down for 15 minutes after getting the vaccine to prevent fainting and injuries associated with fainting.

In rare cases, a person may experience a severe anaphylactic allergic reaction after vaccination if they are allergic to any component of the vaccine.

However, it is important to keep in mind that both Gardasil and Gardasil 9 have undergone strict safety testing before getting approved, with more than 15 years of research and monitoring demonstrating the vaccine’s overall safety.

Can Gardasil Impact Fertility?

Gardasil has not been linked to fertility problems, and the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention notes that not getting an HPV vaccine can leave people at risk for the types of cancer that could compromise fertility. For example, people who develop cancer that is caused by HPV may need treatment such as chemotherapy, radiation, or a hysterectomy, all of which could limit their ability to have children.

How Long Does Protection Last?

It is believed that the protection afforded by Gardasil and similar vaccines is long-lasting. In research studies, people given HPV vaccines were monitored for about 12 years and their protection remained high with no signs that protection may be waning.

Where Can I Get the Vaccine?

Your gynecologist can administer the HPV vaccine to you. Other doctors’ offices may also offer the vaccination, along with school health centers, local health departments, and community health clinics. Many health insurance plans cover routine vaccinations such as Gardasil, while the Vaccines For Children program provides vaccines to those aged 18 and younger who are underinsured, uninsured, Medicaid-eligible, Alaskan native, or American Indian.

Get In Touch With The North Carolina Women’s Healthcare Specialists

If you would like to learn more about the protection offered by the Gardasil vaccine or find out more about how it could benefit you, make an appointment with the North Carolina women’s healthcare specialists at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness today.

The Gardasil vaccine offers valuable protection against the highly common and potentially dangerous sexually transmitted disease known as HPV, or human papilloma virus.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reports that there were approximately 43 million HPV infections in 2018, making it the most common STD in the nation. While many of these infections will clear on their own – it can go away without health problems within two years in 9 out of 10 people – some have the potential to cause serious health problems like certain types of cancer, particularly cervical cancer. HPV can also lead to genital warts.

Unfortunately, a person who has HPV can pass it along to someone else even if they are not experiencing any symptoms, and many people are not aware they are infected. Moreover, it can take years after having sex with an infected person to develop symptoms.

Who Should Get Gardasil?

The CDC recommends that all girls and boys between the ages of 11 and 12 get the vaccine, although it can be administered to people as young as 9. Ideally, girls and boys should receive the vaccine prior to their first sexual contact and potential HPV exposure as it may not be as effective once a person has been infected with HPV. Moreover, the response to the vaccine is typically better among younger people than those who are older.

According to the CDC, people under the age of 15 should receive two doses of Gardasil at least six months apart, while for those aged 15 through 26, three doses of the vaccine are needed. Women who are 27 to 45 should talk to their doctor about whether or not they need the vaccine. It may not be necessary for everyone in this age group, so discuss your risk with your doctor to make an informed decision.

Who Should Avoid Gardasil?

The Gardasil vaccine has not been tested in pregnant women and should therefore be avoided by anyone who is pregnant. People who are moderately or severely ill should wait until they are feeling better to get the vaccine.

It is also important to discuss all of your allergies with your doctor prior to vaccination, particularly if you are allergic to yeast or latex. Anyone who has had a life-threatening allergic reaction in the past to any of the vaccine’s components should avoid it as should those who have had severe reactions to a previous dose of the vaccine.

Are There Side Effects Or Health Risks?

Studies have shown that the vaccine is generally safe and its effects are typically mild. Some of the more common side effects include swelling at the injection site and soreness.

Nevertheless, patients are advised to stay sitting for 15 minutes following the shot as dizziness or fainting may occur. Some people may also experience weakness, fatigue, nausea, and headaches. The vaccine is being monitored by the CDC and FDA for severe or unusual problems.

Is The Vaccine A Requirement For Attending School?

The HPV vaccine is now a part of the standard routine childhood vaccination schedule. However, each state makes its own decisions about which vaccines are required for school enrollment.

Can Gardasil Provide Protection If You Are Already Sexually Active?

Even if you have already been infected with one strain of HPV, the vaccine still offers benefits as it may protect you from other strains. However, it is important to keep in mind that its protection is limited only to those strains you have not yet been exposed to; it cannot treat an existing HPV infection.

Do Vaccinated People Still Need Pap Tests?

Although the HPV vaccine can help reduce your chances of developing HPV-related cancer, it is not intended to replace Pap tests. It is still important to get routine screening for cervical cancer with regular Pap tests as part of preventative health care since the vaccine does not protect against every strain of HPV that can cause cancer.

It is important to protect yourself during sexual interactions whether you have the HPV vaccine or not. Keep in mind that HPV can spread through oral, vaginal, and anal sex. Using a condom every time you have sex is essential, but it is important to understand that condoms do not cover every part of the body that could become infected with HPV. It is also important to avoid smoking as this can raise your risk of cervical cancer.

Learn More About Gardasil And Sexual Health

If you would like to learn more about sexually transmitted diseases, get a Pap test, or receive the Gardasil vaccine, get in touch with Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness today. Our team of health care professionals can help you determine your risk and the best way to ensure you are protected.

The Gardasil vaccine can offer protection against one of the most common types of STDs – the human papillomavirus virus (HPV).

What Is HPV?

HPV is a broad term, and many of its strains are relatively harmless and may clear on their own. However, some types can cause health problems ranging from genital warts to certain types of cancer.

It is not always obvious that a person has HPV as they may be asymptomatic. Genital warts typically first appear as small bumps or groups of bumps in the genital area that may be raised, flat, or cauliflower shaped. Complicating matters further is the fact that cancer may take years to develop after a person contracts HPV. The virus has been linked to cancers of the vagina, vulva, anus, and penis, along with cancer in the back of the throat, or oropharyngeal cancer.

It spreads easily through vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and a person who has it may pass the infection to someone else even if they are not experiencing any signs or symptoms of the disease. Moreover, its symptoms can develop years after sexual contact with an infected person, which means it can be difficult to determine when you may have contracted it.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were around 43 million HPV infections in 2018. Many of those affected were people in their early 20s or late teens. (1)

What Is The Gardasil Vaccine?

The Gardasil vaccine has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for both males and females, and it can prevent most cases of cervical cancer if it is administered to girls or women before they are exposed to the virus. It can also help to protect against some of the other problems associated with HPV, such as genital warts and several types of cancers. However, it cannot treat an active infection.

It is theorized that vaccinating boys against the HPV strains linked to cervical cancer could protect girls from the virus by reducing transmission, but the vaccine is largely given to girls around ages 11 or 12. It is best to receive it before beginning sexual contact as it may not be as effective once someone has been exposed.

It is recommended that younger girls receive two doses of the vaccine at least six months apart. Teens and young adults who start the vaccine series need three doses as the response to the vaccine is not as strong in this age group as it is in younger children.

Although some parents worry that the HPV vaccine could encourage young girls to make riskier decisions, studies have shown that getting the vaccine does not lead people to have more sex or start having sex at a younger age.

Women aged 27 to 45 should talk to their doctor about their HPV risk. In some cases, it may not be necessary to get the vaccine; your health care professional can help you make an informed decision based on your risk profile and your health and sexual history.

Does The Vaccine Have Side Effects?

The side effects of the HPV vaccine are typically mild. Some of the more common effects of it include swelling, redness at the injection site, and soreness. In some cases, dizziness or fainting may occur immediately afterward, so it is recommended to remain sitting for 15 minutes post-injection. Some people may also experience headaches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, or weakness.

People who are allergic to any components of the vaccine could experience a severe reaction, so it is important to discuss any allergies you have with your doctor before getting the vaccine.

Does It Change Your Menstrual Cycle?

The HPV vaccine will not change your menstrual cycle, and it has not been linked to infertility. However, pregnant women are advised to wait until after giving birth to get the vaccine.

Do You Still Need Pap Tests If You Get The Vaccine?

Pap tests remain an important way of diagnosing and preventing cervical cancer. Although the HPV vaccine may reduce your risk of getting some cancers, it does not protect against every type of HPV that could cause cancer. Therefore, you need regular Pap or HPV tests to pick up any changes in cells that could lead to cervical cancer.

How Can You Reduce Your Risk Of HPV?

Although the Gardasil vaccine is considered very effective, it is also important to use condoms correctly every time you have sex to reduce your chances of getting the virus. Keep in mind that HPV can infect areas of the body that condoms do not cover, which means they cannot provide complete protection. Being in a mutually monogamous relationship is another effective way of reducing your risk.

Talk To The Women’s Health Care Team

To learn more about the benefits of the HPV vaccine and find out whether Gardasil is right for you, get in touch with the women’s health care team at Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness today.

Unfortunately for many women, painful periods are common. For some women, the pain may be a mild annoyance, while others may find that it disrupts their daily life entirely. If your menstrual pain is so bad that you miss school, work, or regular activities and struggle to get out of bed, it is important that you visit a doctor to determine what might be causing your pain and find the best way to address it. Here are some of the questions you may want to ask your doctor when discussing painful periods and dysmenorrhea.

Is My Menstrual Pain Abnormal?

Dysmenorrhea is the term given to painful periods, and there are two categories. Primary dysmenorrhea refers to menstrual cramps that are not caused by an underlying medical condition, and it is considered completely normal. It may begin in a woman’s teenage years and typically becomes less intense and frequent in adulthood.

In some cases, menstrual pain that is so severe that it affects your daily life could be caused by secondary dysmenorrhea, which means that the pain has an underlying medical cause that may require further diagnostic tests and treatment.

Why Is My Period So Painful?

If your menstrual cramping is caused by primary dysmenorrhea, it simply means that you have an excess of the hormones known as prostaglandins. These are the hormones that cause your uterus to contract during menstruation. When the uterus contracts too strongly, it may press against blood vessels nearby, which cuts off the oxygen supply to muscle tissue and causes pain.
As many as half of the women who get their period experience this condition.

Other women experience secondary dysmenorrhea, which is menstrual pain that may be traced to one of the following disorders.

Uterine Fibroids

One major cause of secondary dysmenorrhea is uterine fibroids. These noncancerous tumors may grow on the wall of the uterus and may lead to heavy bleeding and severe pain as well as other problems, such as an enlarged abdomen, anemia, and urinary incontinence.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, whether it is on the outer wall of the uterus, the ovaries, or another location in the pelvic region. When this tissue sheds each month just like the lining of the uterus, it can lead to symptoms such as excessive bleeding, severe pelvic pain, and infertility.

Adenomyosis

Another disorder that may cause a secondary dysmenorrhea is adenomyosis, which is caused when the tissue that usually grows on the walls of the uterus is growing in the muscle of the uterus instead. Some symptoms include strong menstrual cramps, heavy bleeding, and passing blood clots.

How Can I Get Relief From Menstrual Pain?

Your doctor might suggest that you try one of the following approaches to alleviate your menstrual pain.

Medication

One of the top treatments for primary dysmenorrhea is anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen and naproxen. These Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications, reduce your body’s output of prostaglandins which helps to alleviate uterine contractions and pain.
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe hormonal contraceptives such as birth control pills, contraceptive patches or vaginal rings, or a progestin IUD. Women who take these medications for birth control typically experience less menstrual pain than those who do not, so your healthcare provider might suggest using these options even if contraception is not your goal.

Heat

When you are experiencing severe cramping, place a heating pad or a hot water bottle on your abdomen. If your menstrual pain is in your lower back, you can also use a heating pad there to get some relief. A warm bath or a hot towel might also help.

Avoiding Certain Foods

During menstruation, you may find that avoiding foods linked to bloating and water retention provides some relief by alleviating cramps and decreasing tension. These include caffeine, salty foods, fatty foods, carbonated beverages, and alcohol. Quitting smoking may also help make periods less painful.

Alternative Therapies

Many women are turning to alternative therapies for relief from menstrual cramping. Yoga is one good option, thanks to its relaxing effects. A gentle massage of the abdomen, side, and back for around 20 minutes may also help reduce your menstrual pain. It can be particularly effective if it is used in conjunction with essential oils to gain aromatherapy benefits. For example, one study found a significant reduction in pain levels and duration of cramps in a group of women who received massages for their menstrual pain using a combination of lavender, marjoram, and clary sage oil.

Talk With Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness About Dysmenorrhea

Although menstruation is a part of life, you do not have to suffer from painful periods every month. If your menstrual pain is having a negative impact on your life, reach out to the knowledgeable team at Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness. We offer specialized care to help women of all ages in Raleigh and the surrounding area manage dysmenorrhea and other disorders.

Although discomfort is not unusual in the days preceding and during your period, for some women, menstrual periods are consistently painful. This type of pain may fall under the umbrella of dysmenorrhea, a term that generally refers to pain that accompanies menstruation or menstrual cramps.

Types of Dysmenorrhea

There are two types of dysmenorrhea: primary and secondary.

Primary Dysmenorrhea

Common menstrual cramps that recur each month and are not caused by other diseases is known as primary dysmenorrhea. For many women with this condition, the pain begins a day or two prior to their period; for others, it may come when the actual bleeding begins. The pain may be mild to severe and occur in your lower abdomen, thighs, or back.

The pain may last anywhere from 12 to 72 hours and might be accompanied by symptoms such as fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. The good news for many women with primary dysmenorrhea is that their cramps may become less painful as they get older and could stop entirely after having a baby.

Secondary Dysmenorrhea

Another type of dysmenorrhea is secondary dysmenorrhea. This occurs when a woman’s painful periods are caused by a disorder or an infection of the reproductive organs. It is not typically accompanied by fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting, and it may begin earlier in a woman’s menstrual cycle and last longer than typical menstrual cramps.

The menstrual pain that results from secondary dysmenorrhea could be tied to one of the following reproductive organ conditions:

Adenomyosis

In this condition, the lining of the uterus grows into the muscle, causing it to grow bigger than normal and spurring abnormal bleeding and pain.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

PID is an infection that is caused by bacteria that begins in the uterus and may spread to other reproductive organs. It can cause pain during sex and stomach pain in addition to painful periods.

Fibroids

These are benign growths that may be found on the inside or outside of the uterus.

Endometriosis

With endometriosis, the tissue lining the uterus is situated outside of the uterus. These tissue pieces bleed during a woman’s period, leading to pain, swelling, and scarring.

Diagnosis Of Dysmenorrhea

Diagnosing dysmenorrhea can be difficult because menstrual cramps are common. However, if you are feeling pressure or aching pain in the abdomen that is severe at times and/or pain in your lower back, inner thighs, or hips, and you believe that your cramps are unusual or severe and last longer than three days, get in touch with a healthcare provider.

Your doctor will ask you to describe your menstrual cycles and your symptoms and may perform a pelvic exam to check for other issues. If your doctor suspects secondary dysmenorrhea, you may also need an ultrasound or other diagnostic tests to determine the condition behind your painful periods so that it can be treated.

How To Relieve Menstrual Cramps

Treating primary dysmenorrhea can be challenging because it is not caused by a specific medical condition. Here is a look at some of the ways you may be able to get some relief. What works for one woman will not necessarily work for another, so it may take some trial and error to find the best approach for you.

Pain Relief Medication

Many doctors recommend taking ibuprofen when your cramping starts. As a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, ibuprofen reduces the output of prostaglandin, which causes the uterus to contract. Naproxen is another NSAID that offers better relief for some women. If you are unable to take drugs in this category, a pain reliever like acetaminophen may also work.

Massage

Some women find that a massage of the lower back and abdomen can help relieve menstrual cramps.

Dietary Changes

If you suffer from menstrual cramps, avoiding any type of food or beverage that contains caffeine, as well as alcohol, can offer some relief.

Heat

Placing a hot water bottle or a heating pad on your abdomen or lower back can take the edge off of menstrual cramps.

Relaxation

If your menstrual cramps are particularly intense, make sure you get plenty of rest and do not overexert yourself. Structured relaxation breathing exercises may also be helpful.

Exercise

Exercise might be the last thing you feel like doing when you’re experiencing menstrual cramps. However, studies show that women who exercise regularly may experience less menstrual pain, so consider making exercise a part of your weekly routine to help prevent cramps.

Hormonal Contraceptives

Women who take hormonal contraceptive medications tend to experience less menstrual pain, so your healthcare provider might suggest that you take these drugs if other approaches do not provide relief. This could include options like a birth control pill, contraceptive patches or vaginal rings or even a progestin based intrauterine device (IUD). Your gynecologist can discuss which options may be most appropriate for you to try.

Contact Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness

If you are suffering from painful periods, reach out to the friendly team of women’s health professionals at Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness. We can help you determine the cause of your menstrual pain and get it under control so you don’t have to put your life on hold when your period comes each month.