Therefore condoms should be used, if only for prevention of other sexually transmitted diseases. There are reports of a potential protective effect of spermicides in the prevention of HPV and cervical cancer 9 . Since the duration of infectiousness for HPV is unknown and genital HPV is very common among persons who have been sexually active, most physicians recommend a candid discussion about past sexually transmitted diseases, with any future partners. Through continued medical research, scientists hope to answer the many questions surrounding HPV infection, such as how to prevent transmission in the absence of symptoms, what role certain types of HPV play in the development of cancer, and ways in which HPV infections can be more effectively diagnosed, treated and prevented. Researchers are working to develop two types of HPV vaccines.
Clinical trials are in progress for both types of vaccines.
Cates W, American Social Health Association Panel. Estimates of the incidence and prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases in the United States. Sex Transm Dis. Ho G, Bierman R, Beardsley L, Chang C, Burk R. Natural history of cervicovaginal papillomavirus infection in young women. N Engl J Med.