Early stages of cervical cancer do not exhibit noticeable symptoms. Therefore, it is crucial for women to undergo regular cervical screening to facilitate early detection and treatment. As cancer develops, patients may experience the following symptoms:

• Irregular vaginal bleeding: includes bleeding between periods,  during or after sexual intercourse, or after menopause
• Unusual vaginal discharge: increased or thickened discharge, foul-smelling or bloodstained
• Pelvic pain: experience pain in lower back, pelvis, lower abdomen or during sexual intercourse
• Frequent urination, constipation or dysuria: terminal stages of cervical cancer may exert pressure on surrounding tissues, leading to frequent urination, constipation, or dysuria
• Weight loss: cancer cells consume the body’s nutrients, which can result in weight loss

• Individuals with persistent HPV infection (especially HPV16 and 18), which increases the chances of cervical abnormalities.
• Women with sexual experience, particularly those who engaged in sexual activity at an early age or have a history of sexually transmitted infections. Additionally, the risk of developing cancer is correlated with the number of sexual partner.
• Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with chronic kidney disease, HIV/AIDS, or other immune system disorders.
• Smokers.

Yes.  HPV vaccine does not provide protection against all types of HPV, there may also be no symptoms when infected. If the infection persists, it may lead to related diseases. Therefore, it is still necessary to undergo regular screenings even if you got the HPV vaccine.

Yes. HPV infection is common, there is still an approximately 60% risk of infection* even with only one sexual partner. Plus, the incubation period of HPV virus can be up to 10 years, your partner may not be aware of it if he/she was infected.

*The risk of being infected with HPV is 58.4% among those who had sex for the first time until age 44 and had only 1 sexual partner.

The World Health Organization states that there is currently no data showing that HPV infection will affect fertility. But treatments for HPV-related cancers may do so.

There is a chance that HPV can be transmitted to the baby during pregnancy. Although this is rare, there is still a chance that it will affect the next generation.