GARDASIL®9 FOR WOMEN
GARDASIL®9 is a vaccine that helps protect girls, women and individuals with a cervix against 9 HPV types that can lead to certain HPV-related cancers and diseases.
If you’re aged 18–45, GET VACCINATED to help protect
yourself.
Some facts about HPV and GARDASIL®9
HPV vaccination is NOT just for kids. You can get the virus at any point in your life while sexually active.
Vaccination with GARDASIL®9 can provide effective protection against the 9 HPV types that cause certain HPV-related cancers & diseases, such as about 90% of cervical cancer cases, 70% of certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers, and over 90% of genital warts.
Signs and symptoms of HPV in women
Most women who have an HPV infection do not have any symptoms and most infections will go away without treatment. Genital warts are often the only visible sign that a person is infected. Persistent HPV infections in women can lead to cancers of the cervix, vagina, vulva, anus and certain cancers of the head and neck, such as throat and back of mouth cancers.
HPV vaccination is one of the top ways to help protect yourself against certain HPV-related cancers and diseases. Regular Pap tests are the best way to find abnormal cervical cells early and treat them before they develop into cervical cancer. A Pap test is a simple screening method that detects cell changes in the cervix. The majority of abnormal Pap tests are caused by HPV.
HPV in women can lead to:
Cervical cancer
Symptoms can include abnormal vaginal bleeding, pain during intercourse, increased vaginal discharge, pain in the pelvic area or lower back, weight loss, lack of energy and shortness of breath
Photograph courtesy of Dr. Michel Roy
Vaginal or vulvar cancer
Often shows no signs. Can cause itchiness or burning that does not go away, pain in the pelvic area, abnormal vaginal bleeding, difficulty urinating or painful intercourse
Photograph courtesy of Dr. Michel Roy
Head & neck cancer
Symptoms can include a lump or sore in the head and neck area that does not heal, a sore throat that doesn’t go away, white or red patches in the mouth, difficulty swallowing or a change in the voice.
Photograph courtesy of Dr. Anthony Zeitouni
Genital warts
Small, cauliflower-like growths that may itch or burn. They can be raised or flat, small or large, and grow alone or in clusters.
Photograph courtesy of Dr. Alex Ferenczy
Anal cancer
Symptoms can include anal bleeding, difficulty passing stools, pain, lumps, itching or discharge.
Photograph courtesy of Dr. Alex Ferenczy
How to help reduce your risk
HPV vaccination is one of the top ways to
help protect yourself against certain HPV-
related cancers and diseases.
You can also help reduce your
risk of HPV infection by:
Limiting your number of
sexual partners
Using a condom correctly
and consistently
Not smoking
Help protect yourself against certain HPV-related cancers and diseases
Find out how you can get your GARDASIL®9 vaccine in 3 simple steps! You can also begin the process by connecting with a virtual healthcare provider and finding a vaccination site near you.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. GARDASIL®9 can be administered in individuals ages 9 to 45, to help protect against infection caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58 and the following diseases caused by HPV:
- Cervical cancer (cancer of the lower end of the uterus or womb) caused by HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58
- Vulvar (the outside of the female genital area) and vaginal cancers caused by HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58
- Certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers caused by HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58. GARDASIL®9 has been issued market authorization with conditions for this indication pending the results of trials to verify its clinical benefit
- Anal cancer caused by HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58
- Genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11
- Abnormal and precancerous cervical lesions (changes in cells of the cervix that have a risk of turning into cancer) as found in a Pap test caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58
- Abnormal and precancerous vaginal, vulvar and anal lesions caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58
For more information about GARDASIL®9, talk to your healthcare professional.
GARDASIL®9 helps prevent the diseases caused by some types of HPV but will not treat them. If you are already infected with one type of HPV contained in the vaccine, GARDASIL®9 will help protect you against the other eight types.
Talk to your healthcare professional for more information.
Yes. HPV is a common virus. The majority of sexually active people will catch HPV during their lifetime. Many people who have HPV may not show any signs or symptoms. This means that they can transmit (pass on) the virus to others without knowing it. Each partner in a sexual relationship may carry the infection for many years without knowing it because there are often no visible symptoms.
You can be at risk even if you have only one sexual partner because your partner may have had other partners in the past.
Talk to your healthcare professional for more information.
Have additional questions? Check out our FAQ page.
Safety Information
GARDASIL®9 is a vaccine indicated for individuals 9 through 45 years of age for the prevention of infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58 and the following diseases associated with the HPV types included in the vaccine: certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers, caused by HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58. GARDASIL®9 has been approved with conditions. This means it has passed Health Canada’s review and can be bought and sold in Canada, but the manufacturer has agreed to complete more studies to make sure the vaccine works the way it should. For more information, talk to your healthcare professional.
GARDASIL®9 is also indicated for individuals 9 through 45 years of age for the prevention of infection caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58 and the following diseases associated with the HPV types included in the vaccine: cervical, vulvar, vaginal and anal cancer caused by HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58; genital warts (condyloma acuminata) caused by HPV types 6 and 11; abnormal and precancerous cervical lesions (changes in cells of the cervix that have a risk of turning into cancer) as found in a Pap test caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58; abnormal and precancerous vaginal, vulvar (outside of the female genital area) and anal lesions caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58.
GARDASIL®9 does not protect the person getting the vaccine from a disease that is caused by other types of HPV, other viruses, or bacteria, and from HPV types that he/she may already have; but most people do not have all types contained in the vaccine. GARDASIL®9 does not treat HPV infection, cancers and diseases, or prevent its complications. GARDASIL®9 may not fully protect each person who gets it. GARDASIL®9 does not remove the need for screening for cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal, and certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers; women should still get routine cervical cancer screening. GARDASIL®9 is not recommended for use in pregnant women and should only be used during pregnancy if a doctor or healthcare professional decides it is clearly needed. Women who become pregnant before completion of the vaccine series should complete their vaccination schedule after childbirth. If you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor or healthcare professional. GARDASIL®9 may cause some side effects and allergic reactions. The most common side effects seen are pain, swelling, redness, itching, bruising, bleeding, a lump where the shot is given, headache, fever, nausea, dizziness, tiredness, diarrhea, abdominal pain and sore throat. Fainting can happen after getting an HPV vaccine. Signs of an allergic reaction may include difficulty breathing, wheezing (bronchospasm), hives and rash. This is not a complete list of side effects; for any unexpected effects while taking GARDASIL®9, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Contact your doctor or healthcare professional to determine if GARDASIL®9 is an appropriate option for you.
Information about GARDASIL®9 is provided in the Product Monograph and Consumer Information, available here.
HPV=human papillomavirus.
