What is Gardasil?
Gardasil is a vaccine that helps protect you against the human papillomavirus (HPV) and related diseases such as cervical cancer. It is not a cure for HPV or cervical cancer nor does the vaccine offer 100% protection against these things, but it does reduce your risk.
How Does the Gardasil Vaccine Work?
The vaccine works by offering protection against the four most common strains of HPV; types 6, 11, 16 and 18. HPV types 16 and 18 account for 70% of cervical cancers. HPV types 6 and 11 account for 90% of all cases of genital warts.
Gardasil offers good protection by inoculating you against the most common types of HPV, but it is not fool proof. There are some strains of HPV that Gardasil will not protect you from.
What Doesn’t the Gardasil Vaccine Do?
Gardasil does not cure cervical cancer or treat existing genital warts. It does not protect against any other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia or trichomoniasis.
Gardasil only protects against the four stated strains of HPV. It will not protect against diseases caused by other types of HPV. It is not birth control; it does not protect you from unwanted pregnancy.
What is HPV?
HPV is the human papillomavirus and it is one of the most common STIs effecting teens. HPV is the virus responsible for causing genital warts and has been conclusively shown to cause some types of cervical cancer.
Who Should Get the Gardasil Vaccine?
Gardasil is for women ages 9 to 25. It is not for men. It is a live virus vaccine that works best when it is given before you have been exposed to any form of HPV. This means that it is most effective when it is given before you become sexually active.
Even if you are sexually active or have had HPV before you can still benefit from the Gardasil vaccine. It is very unlikely that you have contracted or been exposed to all four of the HPV strains that Gardasil works to prevent. If you are between the ages of 9 and 25 you should talk to your doctor about getting the Gardasil vaccine.
Who Should Not Get the Gardasil Vaccine?
Men should not get the Gardasil vaccine. Women over the age of 25 may not benefit from the vaccine and therefore it is not recommended. Women of any age who are pregnant or who may be pregnant should not get the Gardasil vaccine.
If sexually active you should test for pregnancy before getting the vaccine. Some people may be allergic to the vaccine or any of its components; if you have such an allergy do not get the vaccine. Talk to your doctor about the possibility of an allergic reaction to the vaccine.
Only a doctor can help you to decide if the Gardasil vaccine is right for you.
How Is the Gardasil Vaccine Given?
The Gardasil vaccine is given in a series of three shots given over a period of 6 months. It is only available as an injection and must be given in a doctor’s office. It can not be taken at home. There is no oral alternative.
What Are the Side Effects of the Gardasil Vaccine?
As with any injection the most common side effects of Gardasil relate to the shot itself. The most common side effects are; pain or tenderness at the injection site, mild bruising, temporary swelling or itching around the injection site, nausea, fever, head ache and dizziness.
You may experience all, some or none of the side effects. In some rare cases people have had allergic reactions to the vaccine when there was no prior indication of an allergy risk; this is a rare occurrence. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience anything unusual after getting the vaccine.
Is Gardasil an STI Vaccine?
Yes and no, it does protect you against the four most common strains of HPV but there are many other STIs out there and it does not offer any protection against them. It is not marketed as an STI vaccine because there are so many different STIs out there. However, it is a preventative measure against contracting the most common types of HPV and HPV is the most common STI effecting teens.
I’m Still a Virgin, Do I Need Gardasil?
Yes! Gardasil is most effective when given before exposure to any strain of HPV and before you become sexually active. If you are a virgin you are an ideal candidate for this vaccine.
