1. b. Negative Effect of HPV on Female Fertility
Participants were anxious and needed more information about the effect
of papillomavirus on hormones and the reproductive system.
”You know why I’m worried? If I had a baby now, I wouldn’t care
about HPV. I’m 37. I have to get pregnant soon. I may lose my chance of
getting pregnant. Does the virus affect my ovaries?” (P.10)
Some expressed fear and anxiety about losing their fertility due to
getting cancer following persistent high-risk HPV.
I’m convinced that I am going to get cancer and I mightnever be able to have a baby in the future. I’m depressed
because I’m not sure I can preserve my ability to get pregnant.” (P.7)
Few women attributed the failure of assisted reproductive techniques
(ART) to HPV.
”We’ve been trying to conceive for six months with no luck. We did
IUI (Intra Uterine Injection) twice. I asked my doctor; she said the
virus could be in the semen.” (P.8)