While You Watch and Wait
If you've recently been diagnosed with HPV, you might have been told by your healthcare provider to "watch and wait." This approach involves monitoring your condition through regular check-ups and screenings to see if your immune system clears the virus on its own. Indeed, 90% of women will clear HPV naturally within 2 years.
From personal experience, I know that this can feel like a passive, anxiety-inducing process and I’m here to remind you that there are proactive steps you can take during this time to support your body's natural healing abilities.
Your Immune System is Your Greatest Ally
Your immune system is incredibly powerful. This complex network of cells, tissues, and organs is constantly working to protect you from harmful invaders, including HPV. Your beautiful body is has with an innate wisdom and resilience that can work wonders in fighting off HPV when it is properly supported to do so.
I was one of the 10% of women who develop persistent-HPV and it took me 3 WHOLE YEARS of watching and waiting to start to think outside the box and figure out how to help my immune system to recognise and clear the virus. Looking back, I wished I had tried earlier on to give myself the best chances of clearing it and saved myself a lot of anxiety, progression to CIN1 and risk of progression to cervical cancer .
I don’t regret that journey though, because it gave me the motivation to seek further than the bounds of my medical education and it was such a gift to be rewarded by seeing the negative colposcopy and smear test that resulted from my determination to heal myself. There is nothing like a personal health issue to motivate a doctor to go beyond parroting what they have been taught and to expand the reach of their mind to encompass health wisdom in all its forms.
So, in a sense, it was also an awakening - an awakening to the fact that there is wisdom, knowledge and healing that lies outside the box of the traditional western medical model (which is excellent in so many ways, but not certainly not the whole picture).
And what I learned was that my immune system was not recognising the HPV infection as a threat that needed to be removed and that there were ways that I could help to optimise and support my immune system to do so.
Nourishing Your Body for Optimal Immune Function
So, how can you give your immune system the best chance to do its job? One key factor is nutrition. Fueling your body with a rainbow of nutrient-dense foods can provide the building blocks your immune cells need to function optimally. Some immune-boosting superstars include:
- Colourful fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants (berries, leafy greens, and citrus)
- Healthy fats from sources like avocados, nuts, and fatty fish (hello, omega-3s!)
- Lean proteins to support immune cell production and repair
- Probiotic-rich foods (like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut) to promote a healthy gut microbiome
In addition to focusing on whole, nourishing foods, staying hydrated and limiting processed foods which contribute to inflammation and oxidative stress.
Lifestyle Habits That Make a Difference
Beyond nutrition, there are several lifestyle factors that can significantly impact your immune health and HPV clearance.
One of the MOST IMPORTANT things you can do is to stop smoking. In my opinion smoking increases the risk of persistent HPV because the immune system is being exposed to harmful substances that over time it learns to ‘ignore’ and it may be that in ignoring the harmful effects of cigarettes it also ends up ignoring the presence of HPV.
Minimising alcohol is also important as alcohol is known to cause inflammation and oxidative stress, even in small amounts.
Prioritising quality sleep (aim for 7-9 hours per night) and managing stress through relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing, and engaging in regular moderate exercise are all important in enhancing immune function.
It's also crucial to practice safe sex and open communication with partners during this time to reduce the risk of reinfection or transmission. It could also be worthwhile for your partner to also work on immune-system optimisation to increase their chances of clearing HPV if they are carrying it. Remember, HPV is EXTREMELY common. 80% of sexually active people will get HPV at some point.
Harnessing the Power of Natural Remedies
In addition to these important immunity-boosting strategies, there are several natural remedies that show promise in supporting HPV clearance. For example, green tea extract has been studied for its potential antiviral and immune-modulating properties. Other supplements like vitamin C, vitamin E, folic acid, vitamin B12, Zinc and Selenium are important for optimal immune system functioning.
Along with Green tea extract, Broccoli extract (DIM and Indole-3 carbinol), Astragalus, Reishi Mushroom and AHCC (made from mushrooms) are also known to support the immune system.
As with any new supplement or natural remedy, it's essential to do your research, consult with a trusted healthcare provider, and listen to your body to determine what works best for you.
Empowered, Informed, and Supported
I really want you to know that while you may be in a period of "watching and waiting," you are far from powerless. By nourishing your body with whole foods, adopting immune-supportive lifestyle habits, and exploring natural supplements and remedies, you can take an active role in your healing journey.
I know that navigating an HPV diagnosis can feel overwhelming at times, but you don't have to go through it alone. Surround yourself with a supportive network of loved ones, healthcare providers, and communities (like The HPV Hub) that can offer guidance, encouragement, and empathy along the way.
If you would like to be part of our community then please drop me a message in the contact tab so that I can add you to the Newsletter and Waitlist and let you know once the community is active.
Trust in your body's innate wisdom, be patient with the process, and know that you have the strength and resilience (and the knowledge) to overcome this challenge. You've got this!
With love and support,
Rosemary