7 Common Myths About Gardasil

Gardasil is a vaccine which offers protection against of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause genital warts and cervical cancer. If you're considering the vaccine for yourself or for your child, you may have heard a lot of myths about it. Here are seven common misconceptions about Gardasil.

Myth #1: The Vaccine Prevents Every Type of HPV

Gardasil does not provide protection against every strain of the Human Papillomavirus. It does protect against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. These are the four most common strains and are responsible for most cases of cervical cancer and genital warts.

Myth #2: Gardasil is Only for Girls and Women

The vaccine was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for girls and women between the ages of nine and 26. The FDA has recently approved it for boys between the ages of nine and 26 as well. Men who are sexually active with other men are at risk for anal cancer, which is caused by the same strains of HPV that cause cervical cancer, and may benefit from the vaccine.

Myth #3: The HPV Vaccine Causes Birth Defects and Miscarriage

Gardasil is not recommended for women who are pregnant, although there is no current research which suggests that it can cause birth defects, miscarriage or other pregnancy complications. If you suspect that you could be pregnant, it's important to wait before getting any of the remaining doses of the vaccine until your doctor says it's okay.

Myth #4: Gardasil Causes Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases

The HPV vaccine does not cause other STDs. It may make women feel as though it's safe to not use protection, however. It's important to use a barrier method of birth control, such as condoms or female condoms, every time you have sex to reduce the risk of other STDs.

Myth #5: You Won't Need Pap Smears After You Get the Vaccine

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is a 30% chance that you could still get cervical cancer after you have the vaccine. Routine Pap smears to screen for abnormal changes in the cervix are still necessary.

Myth #6: Gardasil Cures HPV

There is no cure for the Human Papillomavirus, although the infection generally does clear up on its own. Once the infection is gone, you can only be re-infected with another strain of the virus. While the Gardasil vaccine will not cure your current HPV infection, it will prevent you from being infected by other strains of the virus.

Myth #7: The HPV Vaccine is Extremely Deadly

As of September 15, 2011, there were 71 deaths out of the 40 million doses of Gardasil that have been administered, according to the CDC. Since no evidence confirms that the deaths were related to the vaccine, it is still recommended.

Gardasil isn't the right choice for everyone. If you have any questions or concerns about the vaccine, be sure to talk to your healthcare provider.

Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "HPV Vaccine Information For Young Women."
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Reports of Health Concerns Following HPV vaccine."
FDA
Gardasil