‘Does HPV affect my fertility?’ Reproductive Concerns of HPV-positive
women: a qualitative study
Abstract
Objective To explore the reproductive concerns of women infected with
human papillomavirus HPV Design Qualitative study with conventional
content analysis approach Setting A large busy colposcopy clinic in
Valiasr hospital (Tehran) Sample Twenty Iranian women tested positive
for high-risk HPV types or both high-risk and low-risk HPV strains
Methods In-depth face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted
transcribed verbatim and analysed using conventional content analysis
approach with the aid of MAXQDA.10 software Main Outcome Measures
HPV-positive women’s reproductive concerns Results Exploring
participants’ concerns about fertility and childbearing, three main
categories extracted from the interviews, namely: concerns about
fertility potential, pregnancy concerns, and non-pregnancy reproductive
concerns. Women were concerned about the impact of HPV on male/female
fertility potential, fetal health, pregnancy outcomes (miscarriage and
preterm delivery), and breastfeeding. Women with cervical abnormalities
were anxious that becoming pregnant or taking hormonal contraception
might worsen their condition. Most participants were reluctant to use a
condom. Married women wanted to know why they were advised to use a
condom when they already had HPV. Women also asked about the potential
reproductive risks of the HPV vaccine. Conclusions HPV-positive women
had some reproductive concerns that should be considered in the
designing of educational-consulting interventions. Women need to be
better understood and informed about the impact of HPV on their
reproductive health. Health care providers may lack knowledge about
these specific areas, and they could benefit from additional up-to-date
information to address women’s reproductive concerns.