Decoding The Risk For HPV: Survey Reveals Surprising Statistics On Sexual Health!

We surveyed 625 women, all aged 30 or over, based across India.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence of healthy sexual practices, use of condoms, HPV symptoms, and HPV vaccination rates among a group of 625 Indian women. The results aimed to deliver useful insights into various factors that increase the risk for HPV transmission as well as highlight the importance of increased awareness and preventive measures.

Protective Sexual Practices: How Many Women Play It Safe?

Of the women we spoke to, only 212 reported engaging in protective vaginal, oral, and anal sex. These shocking statistics highlight that a large population of Indian women is potentially at risk of HPV infection owing to such basic negligence.

The reasons can be many, ranging from lack of education and misinformation to personal choices. And this sheds light on another important fact; we must take steps to educate both men as well as women on healthy sexual practices that allow them to make informed decisions about their well-being!

Condoms: The Go-To Solution For Safe Sex?

Thanks to aggressive policies, advertisements, and awareness campaigns over the last few decades, almost everyone is aware of condoms and how they can help you! Therefore, it was surprising for us to witness that only 217 out of 625 women reported consistent condom usage during sexual activity.

Condoms serve as the simplest solution to prevent the risk of acquiring HPV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). However, the low rate of condom usage suggests that the awareness campaigns need to go a notch higher to deliver substantial results. There needs to be an open dialogue around safe sex practices along with accessible resources like free or affordable condoms, which in the long run, might help us to win the fight against STIs like HPV!

HPV Symptoms: Risk Or No Risk?

Among the participants, 229 out of 625 women reported experiencing symptoms related to HPV. These symptoms ranged from genital pain and bleeding after intercourse to more advanced symptoms like genital warts and abnormal pap smear results, indicating the presence of HPV infection.

The fact that roughly 36.6% of women were facing HPV-related symptoms highlights the need for regular HPV screening to allow early detection. Routine HPV testing, pap smears, and visits to a gynecologist are essential in identifying and managing your risk for HPV. 

Wish to get started right away? We would love to help! Our newly launched at-home self-collection HPV Test Female kit screens for 24 high-risk HPV strains (including type 16 & 18) that can lead to cervical cancer, if ignored.

It is a convenient, comprehensive & confidential way to check your risk for HPV in the comfort and privacy of your home! All you have to do is follow 3 simple steps:

If you test positive, the next step will be to get in touch with a specialist for deciding on the best treatment approach. Whereas, a negative result will give you an assurance that your sexual health is on top of its game! However, it is always a good idea to test yourself once in every year to avoid a chance of infection.

HPV Vaccines: A Jab For A Healthy Future?

The most alarming statistic that came to light through our study was around HPV vaccines. Shockingly, only 58 out of 625 women surveyed had received a vaccination for HPV. Vaccination is a key preventive measure against infections like HPV, offering protection against several high-risk strains.

Unfortunately, only 9.28% of women seem to take that seriously! The reasons for such a trend can be attributed to a lack of awareness, limited access to healthcare, or misconceptions about the vaccine's safety and efficacy.¹ Improving education & awareness of HPV vaccines and conducting public health campaigns or institution-based vaccination programs are some of the steps that can be taken to address this issue and reduce the risk of HPV among Indian women.

What Needs To Be Done?

To conclude, the results of the study clearly highlight a need for comprehensive sexual health education, promoting condom usage, opting for regular screenings, and improving vaccination rates to combat the risk of HPV effectively. By encouraging a safe space for discussing sexual health, raising awareness through public health campaigns, and ensuring access to resources, women can be empowered to make the right decisions about their sexual well-being. 

Moreover, healthcare providers can be at the forefront of promoting safe sex practices, while the government can create policies that focus on improving access to sexual health services and conduct more school or college-based vaccination programs. If these challenges are addressed head-on, we all can move towards a future where every Indian woman feels safe and empowered about her sexual health!

If you would like any further information about our HPV Test Female Kit or the results of our survey, simply get in touch with us today via care@lifecell.in. The team will be more than happy to offer you any help or advice you may require.