Natural HPV Treatments

The virus known as human papillomavirus, or HPV, is commonly thought of in terms of genital warts. Yet this particular sexually transmitted disease is an amalgam of several different strains of viruses, some of which can ultimately be life-threatening. The more severe strains of HPV can lead to cancer of the cervix and the sexual organs, including the vulva, the penis and the vagina. It can also lead to anal cancer. For these reasons, there has been more research into HPV treatments of all kinds to combat this family of viruses.

Types of HPV Treatments

• The current medical approach to treating HPV has been to destroy the infected tissue using serotoxin and interferon, as well as cryotherapy and laser technology to fight the virus and keep it from coming back, as well as to help the body become immune to the virus. While there has been some progress in treatment for some cases, the overall success rate has not yet been decisive enough to certify these methods as 100 percent effective. The alternative to this standard medical approach has been an investigation into natural organic substances that may have the appropriate attributes to treat this condition.

Advances

• As with many alternative or natural treatment methods, vitamins play a big part. This is because of the inherent ability of vitamins to aid in cell repair and new cell growth, as well as boost the body's ability to fight off viral attacks and cell degradation. The vitamins that have been applied to the treatment of HPV are beta-carotene, selenium and folic acid. These vitamins have traits that contribute to the body's immune system and help fight off cell damage.

Other Elements

• Some of the other natural ingredients that have been investigated for their ability to treat HPV are echinacea, golden seal and shiitake mushrooms. They each have regenerative qualities that are used in fighting other types of viruses, including influenza and the common cold. In some cases, patients who are seeking natural treatment options are being advised to douche every day with a mixture of beta-carotene, white vinegar and warm water. A vitamin product currently in use is called Beta Mannan, which has been reported to have a 95 percent cure rate when applied to cervical dysphasia.

Warnings

• While there have been many advances in natural and homeopathic treatment approaches to disease and illnesses, there is still much debate among medical professionals as to the true effectiveness of these types of treatments. This may be due to a desire for authenticated documentation in a scientific context that is sometimes not available for alternative medicine, or it may constitute a certain level of professional jealousy. The fact is that neither the medical establishment nor the alternative treatment community can claim 100 percent success in the treatment of HPV.

Final Analysis

• Regardless of the approach, having the HPV virus is a very serious condition. It is a very contagious, highly communicable disease that, due to its propensity to be sexually transmitted, presents a very real challenge to those who seek a cure, and a very real risk to those who do not seek one.