Human papillomavirus infection and women’s reproductive health

The objective was to analyze contemporary Russian and foreign literature devoted to the impact of papillomavirus infection on women’s reproductive health. The review presents data related to the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV) among women and men, its genetic diversity, and the characteristics of its oncogenic and non-oncogenic pathogenic effects. The connection between HPV infection and various reproductive failures is examined, including reduced male fertility, female infertility, increased failures of assisted reproductive technology (ART) (6 times more often), disruptions in implantation and developmental defects in the fetus, spontaneous abortions (4 times more often), and premature births. Special attention was given to the issues of human papillomavirus infection of the endometrium in patients with chronic endometritis. Data indicating a high frequency of HPV contamination of the uterine mucosa in this category of women and the associated expression of the protein marker p16ink4a in the endometrium are presented. The review portrays pathogenetic mechanisms aimed at suppressing cell division and their role in impairing nidation and placentation. The role of therapy aimed at correcting immune disorders in women with HPV is shown.