HPV CARE IN SHERMAN, TX
HPV Testing, Treatment & Follow-Up Care
for Women in North Texas & Texoma
Understanding HPV, your Pap test, and staying protected
HPV (human papillomavirus) is the most common sexually transmitted infection, and most people who have ever been intimate will get it at some point. For the vast majority, the body clears it on its own and it never causes a problem. If you are looking for HPV care in Sherman, TX, you are in the right place. At G. DeAn Strobel, MD, PA, we help women across North Texas and Texoma understand their results, stay on top of screening, and lower their risk, without judgment and in plain language. Call or text us at 903-957-0275 with any questions. Our board-certified gynecologists — Dr. Strobel and Dr. Cryer — and our team of nurse practitioners care for women across North Texas and Texoma.
What is HPV? HPV is a very common virus with many different types. Some types can cause genital warts, and a small number of high-risk types can, over many years, lead to changes in the cells of the cervix. Having HPV is extremely common and is not a reflection of anything you did wrong.
How did I get it, and does it mean my partner was unfaithful? No. HPV can stay quiet in the body for years, even decades, before it ever shows up on a test. There is usually no way to know when or from whom you got it, and a new diagnosis does not mean a partner has been unfaithful.
How is HPV connected to my Pap test? Your Pap test checks for abnormal cells on the cervix, and an HPV test looks for the high-risk virus types that can cause those changes. Together they help us catch anything early, long before it would ever become a serious problem. Depending on your age and history, we may do one or both.
Does having HPV mean I will get cancer? Almost always, no. Most HPV infections clear on their own within a year or two. Cervical cancer develops slowly and only in a small number of people with persistent high-risk HPV, which is exactly why regular screening works so well: it lets us watch for and treat changes early.
How is it managed? There is no medicine that cures the virus itself, but we can treat what it causes, such as warts or abnormal cervical cells, and we monitor you with the right screening schedule. If a Pap or HPV result needs a closer look, we can do a colposcopy right here in the office.
Can I prevent it? The HPV vaccine is safe and highly effective at preventing the types most likely to cause cancer and warts, and it is recommended for a wide age range. Regular well-woman visits and Pap/HPV screening are your other best protection. Call or text 903-957-0275 to ask whether the vaccine or updated screening is right for you.