“Roundup” is in quotes to set it apart, because the word evokes the eponymously trademarked weed killer, and something about associating weed killer and sexual health gives me the creeps. But the content of the “Roundup” is interesting and important. Here’s an excerpt about HPV:
A study published in The Lancet found that the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine, which protects against two high-risk strains of HPV that are associated with cervical cancer, is safe, effective, and offers protection for at least 4.5 years. “These findings set the stage for the widescale adoption of HPV vaccination for prevention of cervical cancer,” said lead author Diane M. Harper, of Dartmouth Medical School. Indeed, a decision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Gardisil, which will be the first HPV vaccine to hit the market, is expected on June 8.
But while the promise of an HPV vaccine is on the horizon, stigma around the sexually transmitted infection persists. A study published in Sexually Transmitted Infections found that women who tested positive for HPV felt “stigmatised, anxious and stressed, concerned about their sexual relationships, and … worried about disclosing their result to others.” Researchers emphasize that HPV testing should be done in conjunction with health education designed to de-stigmatize the infection, which is very common. In fact, HPV is so common that about three out of four sexually active people have HPV at some point in their lives.
Other topics incluse vasectomies, abortion, menopause and more. Read the whole thing here.
–Ann Bartow
