Habibeh Gitiforooz, MD
OB/GYN


Q: I have a 15 year old daughter and have been wondering about the HPV vaccination. Do you suggest that young women receive this vaccination?

A: The HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination is recommended for females between the ages of 9 – 26. This vaccination protects women from HPV, which may eventually lead to cervical cancer or sexually transmitted diseases. I do encourage my younger patients to receive this vaccination and suggest to my older patients to consider the vaccination for their daughters. HPV mostly affects females and the transmission can occur with any kind of sexual, genital contact with someone who has HPV—intercourse isn’t always necessary.

Many people who have HPV don’t even know it, since the virus often has no signs or symptoms; therefore, the HPV transmission can also happen unbeknownst to the receiver. Chances are that your daughter is not sexually active at this time, but it’s important to get the vaccine now, which will guard her against cervical cancer and other diseases caused by HPV infection before she’s old enough to worry about them.

There are about 6 million new cases of genital HPV in the United States each year and it’s estimated that 74 percent of the cases occur in 15- to 24-year olds. The vaccination has been approved and used for more than two years with cervical cancer rates decreasing, proving its effectiveness. This is a one-time vaccination with three doses administered within six months. Side affects are minimal with local irritation.

If your daughter gets vaccinated, it’s important she still receive annual Pap tests (cervical cancer screenings), which will play a key role in protecting her health as she gets older. Pap tests are proven to help save lives by looking for abnormal cells in the lining of the cervix before they have the chance to become precancerous or cancer.

Your daughter’s doctor or healthcare professional can tell you when she should have her first Pap test. In the meantime, it’s never too early to teach your daughter the importance of good healthcare habits.

Dr. Gitiforooz is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and typically starts seeing female patients at age 14. Her special interests include OB care, incontinence, preventive care, abnormal bleeding and menopause. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Gitiforooz, please call our physician referral line at 866.733.6363.