If genital warts have been treated and there are no remaining lesions, pregnant women can usually still carry a healthy pregnancy to term and give birth to a healthy baby. A history of genital warts does not mean that HPV will be transmitted to the fetus or that the baby will experience complications.

However, treatment only removes external lesions; it does not completely eliminate HPV from the body. During pregnancy, immune and hormonal changes can reactivate the virus, causing warts to reappear or grow more rapidly.

If lesions are present, doctors will manage them based on their location, size, extent, and gestational age. Small warts can be monitored. When intervention is needed, doctors consider cryotherapy, TCA application, electrosurgery, laser treatment, or surgical excision, often prioritizing these procedures during the second trimester.

Pregnant women with active genital warts face risks such as uncontrollable bleeding, potentially requiring a caesarean section, and an increased risk of cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and anal cancers. Babies born vaginally may be exposed to HPV, leading to recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, which can cause hoarseness, coughing, or difficulty breathing.

Pregnant women need to attend follow-up appointments and closely monitor their body's symptoms, even after genital wart treatment. Vecteezy

Even after being treated for genital warts, pregnant women still need to attend scheduled follow-up appointments, inform their obstetrician about their medical history, and seek early examination if new warts appear, or if they experience bleeding, pain, itching, or unusual discharge. Both partners should use condoms and avoid intercourse until lesions have healed. Pregnant women should keep the genital area clean and dry, and not self-administer topical medications, creams, or wart removal products; a specialized medical facility must prescribe all treatments.

To prevent genital warts and HPV-related diseases, women should undergo gynecological examinations, cervical cancer screening, practice safe sex, and receive the HPV vaccine before pregnancy. If there are suspicious lesions, examination and treatment according to a doctor's guidance are necessary before pregnancy.

Vietnam is currently using two types of HPV vaccines from the US that protect against 4 virus types and 9 virus types: Gardasil and Gardasil 9. Gardasil 9 is administered to both males and females from 9 to 45 years old, protecting against types 6, 11, and high-risk types 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58, which cause nasopharyngeal, cervical, vulvar, and vaginal cancers. Children from 9 to 14 years old receive two doses, while individuals from 15 to 45 years old receive three doses.

The HPV vaccine is not recommended during pregnancy. If a woman has received one or two doses and discovers she is pregnant, she should postpone the remaining doses until after her pregnancy concludes, without needing to restart the vaccination series. Women who are breastfeeding can still receive the HPV vaccine, and it does not affect the quality of breast milk.

Doctor Le Thi Minh Nguyet

Medical Manager, VNVC Vaccination System

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