Beyond the pap smear: Exploring all your options for HPV

Have you really been told all your options when it comes to HPV?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common viral infections in the world, yet when it comes to managing it, many women are told their only option is to “wait and see.”

If you've ever been told to come back for another Pap smear in a few years, have a colposcopy, or undergo a LLETZ procedure without any other support or guidance, you're not alone. This conventional approach doesn’t consider the whole picture or the whole person.

What is HPV?

HPV stands for human papillomavirus - it’s incredibly common and most sexually active people will contract it at some point in their lives.

HPV is generally broken into two categories:

• Low-risk types, which can cause genital warts but are not linked to cancer.

• High-risk types, such as HPV 16 and 18, which are associated with cervical cancer, anal cancer and throat cancers.

The vast majority of HPV infections are asymptomatic and cleared naturally by the immune system. But for some, the virus persists and that’s where the risk of abnormal or pre-cancerous cell changes begins to increase, especially in the cervix.

The Conventional “Wait and See” Approach

In most conventional settings, the approach typically includes:

• Routine Pap smears to detect cervical cell changes

• HPV DNA testing

• Colposcopies for closer examination

• And if abnormalities persist - LLETZ procedures to remove affected tissue

While these are important tools for monitoring cervical health, they do nothing to support the body in actually clearing the virus or addressing the underlying reasons it may be lingering.

There’s so much more to the story!

Rather than just watching and waiting, we need to ask why the virus is persisting in the first place. HPV doesn’t exist in a vacuum, it interacts with the immune system, the vaginal and cervical microbiomes, and is impacted by hormone levels and nutrient status.

Here’s what a more complete, holistic approach considers:

1. The Vaginal & Cervical Microbiomes

A healthy vaginal microbiome plays a critical role in protecting against HPV persistence and progression.

Research has shown that:

• Lower levels of Lactobacillus species, particularly Lactobacillus crispatus, are associated with a higher risk of HPV infection and cervical dysplasia.

• Bacterial vaginosis (BV) -an imbalance in the vaginal microbiome is linked to a higher likelihood of acquiring and retaining HPV.

Testing your vaginal microbiome is essential when targeting HPV - to understand what is going on at the microbiome level and why HPV is able to persist.

2. Immune system support

Your immune system is your first line of defence against viral infections, including HPV. If it's under-functioning due to stress, poor sleep, chronic inflammation, infections, or nutrient deficiencies, the virus is more likely to persist.

Supporting your immune system involves:

• Reducing chronic stress and improving sleep quality

• Nourishing with immune-supportive nutrients like zinc, selenium, vitamins A, C, and E.

• Identifying and addressing chronic gut imbalances or stealth infections

• Modulating inflammation through diet and lifestyle

3. Oestrogen

Oestrogen is a factor with HPV - elevated levels of circulating oestrogens have been detected in women with HPV lesions and cancers. Research has linked HPV presence and persistence to higher oestradiol levels.

Supporting healthy oestrogen metabolism involves:

• Reducing xenoestrogen exposure (from plastics, conventional personal care, etc.)

• Supporting liver detoxification pathways

• Increasing fibre to promote healthy oestrogen elimination via the bowel

4. Methylation function

Methylation is a key biochemical process involved in:

• Immune system regulation

• Hormone detoxification

• DNA repair and cell replication

When methylation is impaired, the body may struggle to clear viruses like HPV and repair cellular damage.

Key nutrients that support methylation include:

• Folate (not folic acid!)

• Vitamin B12

• Choline

• Magnesium

• Zinc

Genetic variations (like MTHFR) can impact how well you methylate, so testing and personalised support can be beneficial.

5. Nutrient deficiencies & HPV clearance

Certain nutrient deficiencies can be associated to poor HPV clearance and increased risk of cervical abnormalities. These include:

• Vitamin D – key for immune modulation

• Folate – for DNA repair and methylation

• Zinc – for immune function and tissue healing

• Vitamin A – for mucosal integrity and immunity

• Selenium – for antiviral activity and cellular protection

Restoring optimal levels through diet and supplementation can make a significant difference in your body’s ability to respond to HPV.

The bottom line: Consider the whole person

You are not just a cervix or a Pap smear result.

You are a whole person with a complex immune system, microbiome, hormonal environment, and lifestyle that all influence your body’s ability to handle HPV. A holistic approach doesn’t replace screening and monitoring, it complements it by addressing the root causes of viral persistence and supporting your body to do what it’s designed to do - heal and clear viruses effectively.

You deserve more than "wait and see"

If you've been told to just wait, know that there are evidence-informed, holistic strategies available to support your body in clearing HPV. You don’t have to do nothing, you don’t have to wait for that next pap smear it hope that HPV has cleared up by itself.