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GARDASIL®9 for Women

GARDASIL®9 is a vaccine that helps protect girls, women and individuals with a cervix against 9 HPV types that can lead to certain HPV-related cancers and diseases.

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If you’re aged 18–45, GET VACCINATED to help protect yourself.

Some facts about HPV and GARDASIL®9

HPV vaccination is NOT just for kids. You can get the virus at any point in your life while sexually active.

Vaccination with GARDASIL®9 can provide effective protection against the 9 HPV types that cause certain HPV-related cancers & diseases, such as about 90% of cervical cancer cases and over 90% of genital warts.

HPV causes nearly 100% of cervical cancer cases.


FACT:
HPV causes nearly 100% of cervical cancer cases.

75% of sexually active Canadians #3


FACT:
It is estimated that 75% of sexually active Canadians will have at least one HPV infection in their lifetime.

Being in a monogamous relationship


FACT:
Being in a monogamous relationship does NOT protect you from HPV infections.

every 10 minutes


FACT:
It is estimated that every 10 minutes, one Canadian develops genital warts.

Vaccination can still help protect you


FACT:
Even if you may have been infected with one type of HPV, vaccination can still help protect you from other types of the virus contained in the vaccine.

Cervical cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in Canadian women 20–40 years of age


FACT:
Cervical cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in Canadian women 20–40 years of age.

Condoms may not be enough


FACT:
Condoms may not be enough to protect you against HPV – they only protect the area they cover.

Signs and symptoms of HPV in women

Most women who have an HPV infection do not have any symptoms and most infections will go away without treatment. Genital warts are often the only visible sign that a person is infected. Persistent HPV infections in women can lead to cancers of the cervix, vagina, vulva and anus.

HPV vaccination is one of the top ways to help protect yourself against certain HPV-related cancers and diseases. Regular Pap tests are the best way to find abnormal cervical cells early and treat them before they develop into cervical cancer. A Pap test is a simple screening method that detects cell changes in the cervix. The majority of abnormal Pap tests are caused by HPV.

HPV in women can lead to:

Cervical cancer

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Cervical cancer

Symptoms can include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pain during intercourse, increased vaginal discharge, pain in the pelvic area or lower back, weight loss, lack of energy and shortness of breath.

Vaginal or vulvar cancers

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Vaginal or vulvar cancers

Often shows no signs. Can cause itchiness or burning that does not go away, pain in the pelvic area, abnormal vaginal bleeding, difficulty urinating or painful intercourse.

Genital warts

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Genital warts

Small, cauliflower-like growths that may itch or burn. They can be raised or flat, small or large, and grow alone or in clusters.

Anal cancer

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Anal cancer

Symptoms can include anal bleeding, difficulty passing stools, pain, lumps, itching or discharge.

How to help reduce your risk

How to help reduce your risk

HPV vaccination is one of the top ways to help protect yourself against certain HPV-related cancers and diseases.

You can also help reduce your risk of HPV infection by:

Limiting your number of sexual partners

Limiting your number of sexual partners

Using a condom correctly and consistently

Using a condom correctly and consistently

Not smoking

Not smoking

Help protect yourself against certain HPV-related cancers and diseases

Frequently asked questions

Can GARDASIL®9 help protect women against cervical cancer?

Yes. GARDASIL®9 can be administered in girls and women ages 9 to 45, to help protect against infection caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58 and the following diseases caused by HPV:

  • Cervical cancer (cancer of the lower end of the uterus or womb) caused by HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58
  • Vulvar (the outside of the female genital area) and vaginal cancers caused by HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58
  • Anal cancer caused by HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58
  • Genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11
  • Abnormal and precancerous cervical lesions (changes in cells of the cervix that have a risk of turning into cancer) as found in a Pap test caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58
  • Abnormal and precancerous vaginal, vulvar and anal lesions caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58

For more information about GARDASIL®9, talk to your healthcare professional.

Can a woman get GARDASIL®9 if she already had an HPV infection?

GARDASIL®9 helps prevent the diseases caused by some types of HPV but will not treat them. If you are already infected with one type of HPV contained in the vaccine, GARDASIL®9 will help protect you against the other eight types.

Talk to your healthcare professional for more information.

Can a woman in a monogamous relationship be infected with HPV?

Yes. HPV is a common virus. The majority of sexually active people will catch HPV during their lifetime. Many people who have HPV may not show any signs or symptoms. This means that they can transmit (pass on) the virus to others without knowing it. Each partner in a sexual relationship may carry the infection for many years without knowing it because there are often no visible symptoms.

You can be at risk even if you have only one sexual partner because your partner may have had other partners in the past.

Talk to your healthcare professional for more information.

Have additional questions? Check out our general FAQ page.