meetara-lab/vectorstore-women_health huggingface dataset:
cdc.gov/cancer/knowledge

800-CDC-INFO
When should I get tested  
for cervical cancer?

The Pap test is one of the most 
reliable and effective cancer 
screening tests available. The 
Pap test is recommended for all 
women between the ages of 21 
and 29 years old. If your Pap test 
results are normal, your doctor 
may say that you will not need 
another Pap test for three years. 

If you are 30 years old or older, 
you may choose to have a Pap 
test, or an HPV test, or both tests 
together. If the results are normal, 
your chance of getting cervical 
cancer in the next few years is 
very low. Your doctor may then 
say that you can wait up to five 
years for your next screening.  

The HPV test is also used to 
provide more information when 
women aged 21 years or older 
have unclear Pap test results.
The HPV test is also used to 
provide more information when 
women aged 21 years or older 
have unclear Pap test results.

For women aged 21-65, it is 
important to continue getting a 
Pap and/or HPV test as directed 
by your doctor—even if you think 
you are too old to have a child 
or are not having sex anymore. 
However, your doctor may tell you 
that you do not need to have a 
Pap or HPV test if either of these 
is true for you:

•     You are older than 65 and have 
had a normal Pap or HPV test 
for several years.

•     You have had your cervix 

removed as part of a 
total hysterectomy for 
non-cancerous conditions,  
like fibroids.

What raises a woman’s chance 
of getting cervical cancer?

Almost all cervical cancers are 
caused by HPV. You are more 
likely to get HPV if you started 
having sex at an early age, or if 
you or your partner have had sex 
with several others. However, any 
woman who has ever had sex is at 
risk for HPV.
There are many types of HPV. 
Usually HPV will go away on its 
own, but if it does not, it may 
cause cervical cancer over time. 

In addition to having HPV, these 
things also can increase your risk  
of cervical cancer: 

•  Smoking. 

•   Having HIV (the virus that 
causes AIDS) or another 
condition that makes it hard for 
your body to fight off health 
problems.

•   Using birth control pills for a 

long time (five or more years).

•   Having given birth to three or 

more children.

How can I prevent cervical 
cancer?

•    See your doctor regularly for  

a Pap and/or HPV test. 

•   Follow up with your doctor if 

your cervical cancer screening 
test results are not normal.
How can I prevent cervical 
cancer?

•    See your doctor regularly for  

a Pap and/or HPV test. 

•   Follow up with your doctor if 

your cervical cancer screening 
test results are not normal. 

•   Get the HPV vaccine. It protects 
against the types of HPV that 
most often cause cervical, 
vaginal, and vulvar cancers. It 
is recommended for preteens 
(both boys and girls) aged 11 
to 12 years, but can be given 
as early as age 9 and until age 
26. The vaccine is given in a 
series of either two or three 
shots, depending on age. It is 
important to note that even 

women who are vaccinated 
against HPV need to have 
regular Pap tests to screen for 
cervical cancer. To learn more 
about the HPV vaccine visit 
www.cdc.gov/hpv.   

•   Don’t smoke.

•   Use condoms during sex.*

•   Limit your number of sexual 

partners.
•   Don’t smoke.

•   Use condoms during sex.*

•   Limit your number of sexual 

partners.

*  HPV infection can occur in both male and 
female genital areas that are covered or 
protected by a latex condom, as well as in 
areas that are not covered. While the effect 
of condoms in preventing HPV infection is 
unknown, condom use has been associated 
with a lower rate of cervical cancer. 

What should I do if my doctor 
says I have cervical cancer?

If your doctor says that you have 
cervical cancer, ask to be referred 
to a gynecologic oncologist—a 
doctor who has been trained to 
treat cancers like this. This doctor 
will work with you to create a 
treatment plan.

Where can I find free or  
low-cost cervical cancer 
screening tests?
Where can I find free or  
low-cost cervical cancer 
screening tests?

If you have a low income or do not 
have insurance, you may be able 
to get a free or low-cost cervical 
cancer screening test through the 
National Breast and Cervical Cancer 
Early Detection Program. To learn 
more, call 800-CDC-INFO or visit  
www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp.

Where can I find more 
information about cervical and 
other gynecologic cancers?  

Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention: 800-CDC-INFO or  
www.cdc.gov/cancer/gynecologic

National Cancer Institute:  
800-4-CANCER or www.cancer.gov

CDC Publication #99-9123, Revised January 2019

cdc.gov/cancer/knowledge      
800-CDC-INFO

About Gynecologic Cancer
A  FACT  SHEET  FROM  THE  OFFICE  ON  WOMEN’S  HEALTH

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI). 
Chlamydia is one of the most common STIs in 
women, especially young women ages 15 to 24. If left 
untreated, chlamydia can cause serious health prob-
lems for women, such as difficulty getting pregnant.

Q: How do you get chlamydia?
A: Chlamydia is spread through:
•  Vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Chlamydia can be 
spread even if there are no symptoms.   

•  Genital touching. A man does not need to  
ejaculate (come) for chlamydia to spread. 
Chlamydia can also be passed between  
women who have sex with women.  

•  Childbirth from a mother to her baby

Q: What are the signs and symptoms  
of chlamydia?
A: Chlamydia is known as a “silent” infection, 
because most women who have chlamydia do not  
have signs or symptoms. 

Signs and symptoms may include:

•  Bleeding between periods

•  Burning when urinating

•  Fever

•  Low back pain

•  Lower abdominal pain
Signs and symptoms may include:

•  Bleeding between periods

•  Burning when urinating

•  Fever

•  Low back pain

•  Lower abdominal pain

•  Nausea

•  Pain during sex

•  Unusual vaginal discharge

www.womenshealth.gov | 800-994-9662

Q: Do I need to get tested for chlamydia?
A: If you are 24 or younger and have sex, you  
need to get tested for chlamydia once a year. 

If you are older than 24, you need to get tested if,  
in the past year or since your last test, you: 

•  Had a new sex partner 

•  Traded sex for money or drugs 

•  Did not use condoms during sex and are in a  

relationship that is not monogamous, meaning  
you or your partner has sex with other people

Q: What should I do if I have chlamydia?
A: If you have chlamydia:

•  See a doctor or nurse as soon as possible. 
Antibiotics will treat chlamydia, but they  
will not fix any permanent damage to your  
reproductive organs.
•  See a doctor or nurse as soon as possible. 
Antibiotics will treat chlamydia, but they  
will not fix any permanent damage to your  
reproductive organs.

•  Take all of your medicine. Even if symptoms go 
away, you need to finish all of the antibiotics. 

•  Tell your sex partner(s) so they can be tested 
and treated. If they are not tested and treated,  
you could get chlamydia again.

•  Avoid sexual contact until you and your  

partner(s) have been treated and cured. Even 
after you finish your antibiotics, you can get  
chlamydia again if you have sex with someone 
who has chlamydia. 

•  See your doctor or nurse again if you have 
symptoms that don’t go away within a few  
days after finishing the antibiotics.
Q: How can I prevent chlamydia?
A: The best way to prevent chlamydia or any STI  
is to not have vaginal, oral, or anal sex. 

If you do have sex, lower your risk of getting an STI 
with the following steps:
If you do have sex, lower your risk of getting an STI 
with the following steps: 

•  Use condoms. Condoms are the best way to pre-
vent STIs when you have sex. Because a man 
does not need to ejaculate (come) to give or get 
chlamydia, make sure to put the condom on 
before the penis touches the vagina, mouth, or 
anus. Other methods of birth control, like birth 
control pills, shots, implants, or diaphragms, will 
not protect you from STIs. 

•  Get tested. Be sure you and your partner are 

tested for STIs. Talk to each other about the test 
results before you have sex. 

2

•  Be monogamous. Having sex with just one 

partner can lower your risk for STIs. After being 
tested for STIs, be faithful to each other. That 
means that you have sex only with each other 
and no one else.

•  Limit your number of sex partners. Your risk of 
getting STIs goes up with the number of partners 
you have.
•  Limit your number of sex partners. Your risk of 
getting STIs goes up with the number of partners 
you have.  

•  Do not douche. Douching removes some of the 
normal bacteria in the vagina that protect you 
from infection. This may increase your risk of  
getting STIs.

•  Do not abuse alcohol or drugs. Drinking too 
much alcohol or using drugs increases risky 
behavior and may put you at risk of sexual 
assault and possibly getting an STI.

The steps work best when used together. No single 
step can protect you from every single type of STI.

For more information…
For more information on chlamydia, call the OWH Helpline at 800-994-9662 or  
contact the following organizations: 

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), CDC, HHS  
800-232-4636 • www.cdc.gov/nchhstp 

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH, HHS   
866-284-4107 • www.niaid.nih.gov
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH, HHS   
866-284-4107 • www.niaid.nih.gov  

American Sexual Health Association   
800-227-8922  • www.ashastd.org  

Planned Parenthood   
800-230-7526  • www.plannedparenthood.org 

This fact sheet was reviewed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) staff.

All material contained on this fact sheet is free of copyright restrictions and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the 
Office on Women’s Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated.

Content last updated: August 31, 2015.  
Content last reviewed: March 25, 2014.

www.facebook.com/HHSOWH

www.twitter.com/WomensHealth

www.youtube.com/WomensHealthgov

www.womenshealth.gov | 800-994-9662

Chlamydia
A  FACT  SHEET  FROM  THE  OFFICE  ON  WOMEN’S  HEALTH

Genital Herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) 
caused by the herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) 
and type 2 (HSV-2). HSV-1 most often causes infections 
of the mouth and lips, called cold sores or “fever 
blisters.” HSV-2 is the most common cause of genital 
herpes. There is no cure for genital herpes. But you can 
take medicine to prevent outbreaks and to lower your 
risk of passing genital herpes to your partner. 

Q: How do you get genital herpes?
A:  Genital herpes is spread through: 
• Vaginal, oral, or anal sex. The herpes virus is 

usually spread through contact with open sores. 
But you also can get herpes from someone 
without any symptoms or sores.

•  Genital touching

•  Childbirth from a mother to her baby

•  Breastfeeding if a baby touches an open sore
•  Genital touching

•  Childbirth from a mother to her baby

•  Breastfeeding if a baby touches an open sore

Q: What are the signs and symptoms of genital 
herpes? 
A: Most women with genital herpes do not know they 
have it. But if you get symptoms with the first outbreak 
of genital herpes, they can be severe.

Within a few days of sexual contact with someone who 
has the herpes virus, sores (small red bumps that may 
turn into blisters) may show up where the virus 
entered your body, such as on your mouth or vagina. 
After a few days, sores become crusted and then heal 
without scarring. 

Other early signs and symptoms of genital herpes may 
include:

•  Feeling of pressure in the abdomen 

•  Flu-like symptoms, including fever

www.womenshealth.gov | 800-994-9662

•  Itching or burning feeling in the genital or  

anal area

•  Pain in the legs, buttocks, or genital area

•  Swollen glands

•  Unusual vaginal discharge
www.womenshealth.gov | 800-994-9662

•  Itching or burning feeling in the genital or  

anal area

•  Pain in the legs, buttocks, or genital area

•  Swollen glands

•  Unusual vaginal discharge

If you have any signs or symptoms of genital herpes, 
see a doctor or nurse.

Q: What should I do if I have genital herpes?
A: If you have genital herpes:

•  See a doctor or nurse as soon as possible for 

testing and treatment. Herpes has no cure. But 
antiviral medicines can prevent or shorten 
outbreaks during the time you take the medicine. 

•  Take all of the medicine. Even if symptoms  

go away, you need to finish all of the  
antiviral medicine.

•  Tell your sex partner(s) so they can be tested 

and treated if necessary.

•  Avoid any sexual contact while you are  

being treated for genital herpes or while you  
have an outbreak.

•  Remember that genital herpes is a lifelong
and treated if necessary.

•  Avoid any sexual contact while you are  

being treated for genital herpes or while you  
have an outbreak.

•  Remember that genital herpes is a lifelong 

disease. Even though you may not have a genital 
herpes outbreak for long periods of time, you can 
still pass the virus to another person at any time. 

Q: How can I prevent genital herpes?
A: The best way to prevent genital herpes or any STI 
is to not have vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
Genital Herpes

2

If you do have sex, lower your risk of getting an STI 
with the following steps: 

means that you have sex only with each other 
and no one else.

• Use condoms. Condoms are the best way to
2

If you do have sex, lower your risk of getting an STI 
with the following steps: 

means that you have sex only with each other 
and no one else.

• Use condoms. Condoms are the best way to

prevent STIs when you have sex. Because a man
does not need to ejaculate (come) to give or get
some STIs, make sure to put the condom on
before the penis touches the vagina, mouth, or
anus. Other methods of birth control, such as
birth control pills, shots, implants, or diaphragms,
will not protect you from STIs.

• Get tested. Be sure you and your partner are

tested for STIs. Talk to each other about the test
results before you have sex.

• Be monogamous. Having sex with just one

partner can lower your risk for STIs. After being
tested for STIs, be faithful to each other. That

• Limit your number of sex partners. Your risk of
getting STIs goes up with the number of partners
you have.
• Limit your number of sex partners. Your risk of
getting STIs goes up with the number of partners
you have.

• Do not douche. Douching removes some of the
normal bacteria in the vagina that protect you
from infection. This can increase your risk of
getting STIs.

• Do not abuse alcohol or drugs. Drinking too
much alcohol or using drugs increases risky
behavior and may put you at risk of sexual
assault and possible exposure to STIs.

The steps work best when used together. No single 
step can protect you from every single type of STI.

For more information…
For more information about genital herpes, call the OWH Helpline at 800-994-9662 or contact the 
following organizations:

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), CDC, HHS 
800-232-6348 • www.cdc.gov/nchhstp

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH, HHS 
866-284-4107 • www.niaid.nih.gov
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH, HHS 
866-284-4107 • www.niaid.nih.gov

Herpes Resource Center, ASHA 
800-230-6039 • www.ashasexualhealth.org/stdsstis/herpes

This fact sheet was reviewed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) staff. 

All material contained on this fact sheet is free of copyright restrictions and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the 
Office on Women’s Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated.

Content last updated: August 31, 2015. 

Content last reviewed: March 25, 2014.

www.facebook.com/HHSOWH

www.twitter.com/WomensHealth

www.youtube.com/WomensHealthgov

www.womenshealth.gov | 800-994-9662
Genital Warts 

Genital warts are a type of sexually transmitted infection 
(STI) caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). You can 
get genital warts through vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Genital 
warts appear as a small bump or group of bumps in the 
genital area. There is no treatment for HPV, but genital warts 
can be treated by your doctor.

Q: How do you get genital warts?
A: Nearly all cases of genital warts are caused by HPV. 
Genital warts are spread most often through direct skin-to-
skin contact during vaginal or anal sex. HPV, the virus that 
causes genital warts, can be spread even if the person does 
not have any genital warts that you can see. 

Genital warts can cause itching, burning, and discomfort. 
Talk to your doctor if you think you have genital warts.
Genital warts can cause itching, burning, and discomfort. 
Talk to your doctor if you think you have genital warts.

Q: How are genital warts treated?
A: There is no cure for HPV, but genital warts can be 
removed. If you decide to have warts removed, do not use 
over-the-counter medicines meant for other kinds of warts. 
There are special, prescription-only treatments for genital 
warts. Your doctor or nurse must prescribe the medicine  
for you.

Your doctor or nurse may apply a chemical to treat the warts 
in the doctor’s office or may prescribe a cream for you to 
apply at home. Surgery is also an option. Your doctor may:

Rarely, genital warts are spread:

•  Use an electric current to burn off the warts 

•  By giving oral sex to someone who has HPV or  

•  Use a light/laser to destroy warts 

genital warts 

•  By receiving oral sex from someone who has HPV  

or genital warts on his or her mouth, lips, or tongue 

•  During childbirth from a woman to her baby
genital warts 

•  By receiving oral sex from someone who has HPV  

or genital warts on his or her mouth, lips, or tongue 

•  During childbirth from a woman to her baby 

Q: What are the signs and symptoms of  
genital warts?
A: Genital warts usually appear as a small bump or group 
of bumps in the genital area. They are flesh-colored and can 
be flat or look bumpy like cauliflower. Some genital warts 
are so small that you cannot see them.

In women, genital warts can grow: 

•  Inside the vagina

•  On the vulva, cervix, or groin

•  In or around the anus

•  On the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat (this is very rare)

In men, genital warts can grow:

•  On the penis

•  On the scrotum, thigh, or groin

•  In or around the anus

•  On the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat (this is very rare)

www.

womenshealth.gov 

| 800-994-9662

•  Freeze off the warts 

•  Cut out the warts
•  In or around the anus

•  On the lips, mouth, tongue, or throat (this is very rare)

www.

womenshealth.gov 

| 800-994-9662

•  Freeze off the warts 

•  Cut out the warts 

Treatment can only remove the genital wart. Treatment does 
not cure HPV, the virus that causes genital warts. 

Q: Do I have to treat genital warts?
A: No. Some people choose not to treat genital warts. If 
left untreated, genital warts may go away, stay the same, or 
grow in size and number. They will not turn into cancer. 

Q: How can I prevent genital warts?
A: The best way to prevent genital warts or any STI is to 
not have vaginal, oral, or anal sex. 

If you do have sex, lower your risk of getting an STI with the 
following steps: 

•  Get vaccinated. The Food and Drug Administration 
recently approved one HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9) that 
protects against HPV types that cause most genital warts.

•  Use condoms. Condoms are the best way to prevent
•  Use condoms. Condoms are the best way to prevent 

STIs when you have sex. Make sure to put the condom 
on before the penis touches the vagina, mouth, or anus. 

A FACT SHEET FROM THE OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH
HPV, the virus that causes genital warts, can infect areas 
that are not covered by a condom. You can get genital 
warts from direct skin-to-skin contact. Other methods of 
birth control, such as birth control pills, shots, implants, 
or diaphragms, will not protect you from STIs. 

•  Get tested. Be sure you and your partner are tested for 

STIs. Talk to each other about the test results before you 
have sex.

•  Be monogamous. Having sex with just one partner can 
lower your risk for STIs. After getting tested for STIs, 
be faithful to each other. That means that you have sex 
only with each other and no one else.

•  Limit your number of sex partners. Your risk of getting 
STIs goes up with the number of partners you have.
•  Limit your number of sex partners. Your risk of getting 
STIs goes up with the number of partners you have. 

•  Do not douche. Douching removes some of the normal 
bacteria in the vagina that protects you from infection. 
This may increase your risk of getting STIs.

•  Do not abuse alcohol or drugs. Drinking too much 

alcohol or using drugs increases risky behavior and may 
put you at risk of sexual assault and possible exposure 
to STIs.

The steps work best when used together. No single step can 
protect you from every single type of STI.

For more information…
For more information on genital warts, call the OWH Helpline at 800-994-9662 or contact  
the following organizations: 

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), CDC, HHS 
Phone number: 800-232-4636  •  www.cdc.gov/nchhstp

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH, HHS 
Phone number: 866-284-4107  •  www.niaid.nih.gov
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH, HHS 
Phone number: 866-284-4107  •  www.niaid.nih.gov

American Sexual Health Association 
Phone number: 919-361-8400  •  www.ashasexualhealth.org

Planned Parenthood 
Phone Number: 800-230-7526  •  www.plannedparenthood.org

This fact sheet was reviewed by Christine Robinette Curtis, M.D., M.P.H., FAAP, Captain, U.S. Public Health Service, Medical Officer, Health 
Services Research and Evaluation Branch, Immunization Services Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

All material contained on this fact sheet is free of copyright restrictions and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the 
Office on Women’s Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated.

Content last updated: August 31, 2015.

Content last reviewed: March 25, 2014. 

www.facebook.com/HHSOWH
Content last updated: August 31, 2015.

Content last reviewed: March 25, 2014. 

www.facebook.com/HHSOWH

www.twitter.com/WomensHealth

www.youtube.com/WomensHealthgov

www.womenshealth.gov | 800-994-9662

Genital Warts2
Ovarian Cysts

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs in the ovary. They 
are very common and usually form during ovulation. 
Ovulation happens when the ovary releases an egg 
each month. Many women with ovarian cysts don’t 
have symptoms. The cysts are usually harmless.
Q: What are the different types of ovarian cysts?
A: The two most common types of ovarian cysts 
(called functional cysts) form during the menstrual 
cycle. They are usually benign (not cancerous). 

  •   Follicle cysts. In a normal menstrual cycle, the egg 

grows inside a tiny sac called a follicle. When the 
egg matures, the follicle breaks open to release the 
egg. Follicle cysts form when the follicle doesn’t 
break open to release the egg. This causes the fol-
licle to continue growing into a cyst. These cysts 
often have no symptoms and go away in one to 
three months.