There is an occurrence of human papillomavirus (HPV) that is taking place in some women who are entering the completion of menopause. Further studies have shown that the peak occurrences are showing up in women in their 20s and again at menopause. Because sexual behaviors in the 1960s and 70s also known as the era of free love promoted sex with multiple partners, sexually transmitted diseases were on the rise. Women who are experiencing a recurrence of this condition are believed to be experiencing a reactivation of the disease rather than a new infection. This means that the current infection is from a preexisting condition that remained dormant until recently. This likens the behavior of the disease to that of Chickenpox which can remain dormant for years and then recur in the form of shingles in adults.

Different Types of HPV Disease and their Risks
There are over 100 different types of HPV however only some cause the condition known as genital warts. Of this number 13 of them put women at a higher risk of developing cervical cancer. The statistics for infection with HPV are high. It is estimated that around between 25-50 percent of the sexually active population of younger women have been infected with some form of the disease.

Detection of HPV
Many people who are infected with HPV do not show any symptoms for months or even years. While the immune system clears the majority of cases in a few years making it undetectable through standard testing methods, the risks are not over. The resurgence of the disease at menopause indicates that there are increased risks of the development of uterine cancer for some women. Not all forms of HPV are related to cervical cancer, but most cases of this type of cancer are a direct result of HPV infection.

Other Cancers Linked with HPV
Certain types of HPV can lead to not only cervical cancer, but also head, neck, anal, vulvar, penile and vaginal cancers. With the resurgences that have been showing up at around age 50, researchers recommend that women who have had HPV begin screening for the disease at age 40 and continue on.

Implications for Women Approaching Menopause
Women who have previously been infected with HPV but were cleared of the disease should consider routine screening just to be on the safe side. The highest risks depend upon the region in which women reside. For example, the U.S. and Europe are not experiencing high incidences of these cases. To be on the safe side however; all women who are approaching menopause should have routine health screenings whether they have been infected with HPV or not.

Increased Risks by Region
Women who live in the Central and South American regions of the globe are reported to have the highest incidence of recurring HPV. In the United States and Europe however; the incidence is still fairly low with the disease actually showing a decline with the advancement of age in these countries.

Further Studies are Required
Not much is currently known about the linkages between HPV and menopause, nor is the full scope of risks known. It is also not known why the condition is more prevalent in some countries and less in others. The processes involved in the reactivation of this disease also need a more careful evaluation and the development of more thorough studies to confirm that reactivation is actually the case. Further research is necessary to determine the degree of risk that women will face at menopause and what, if anything can be done to prevent the associated cancers that can develop.

Conclusion
The recurrence of HPV in women of Central and South American studies suggests that the disease can behave like the chicken pox virus by remaining latent in the body and then reactivating several years later. Incidences of this happening are much lower in the US and Europe with HPV infections actually showing a decline with age in women. It is unknown why this is happening in some countries and not in others. There is much that is not known about the full impact that the changes of menopause has upon the body. In addition, while there appears to be a direct link suggesting that menopause may be the cause of the reactivation, this is speculation and more studies are needed.