Can the HPV Vaccine Reduce the Risk of Preterm Birth?

Could getting the HPV vaccine before pregnancy offer benefits beyond preventing certain cancers? Researchers are examining a possible link between HPV vaccination and a lower risk of preterm birth, a complication that can affect a baby's health and development. The connection matters because HPV infection and treatments for HPV-related cervical changes have both been linked to pregnancy complications. However, the evidence should be interpreted carefully: a possible association does not prove that the vaccine directly prevents premature delivery.


Getting vaccinated against HPV before pregnancy may offer benefits that go beyond cervical cancer prevention. Researchers are exploring whether the vaccine could also be linked to a lower risk of certain pregnancy complications, including preterm birth. The findings have caught attention because HPV infection and treatments for abnormal cervical cells have been associated with pregnancy risks. But there is an important distinction: researchers have found encouraging associations, not definitive proof that HPV vaccination prevents premature delivery.





Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that spreads mainly through intimate skin-to-skin contact. Certain types can cause cervical cancer, while others can lead to genital warts. The HPV vaccine helps protect against the types responsible for many HPV-related diseases. It works best when given before a person is exposed to the virus. Although the vaccine is primarily known for preventing cervical cancer, researchers are also investigating whether preventing HPV-related cervical changes could benefit future pregnancy outcomes.




Most HPV infections clear on their own, but some persist and cause abnormal changes in cervical cells. When these changes become precancerous, treatment may be needed to remove affected tissue. Certain cervical procedures, particularly those that remove deeper or larger amounts of tissue, are associated with a higher risk of preterm birth in later pregnancies. This is one reason researchers are examining whether preventing HPV infections and related cervical disease could help reduce some pregnancy complications.

A Finnish study published in 2025 examined pregnancy records among women who had received HPV vaccination and compared them with records from unvaccinated women. Among first-time mothers, preterm birth occurred in 4.1% of vaccinated women and 5.2% of unvaccinated women. However, the estimated reduction was not statistically conclusive. A separate study published in 2025 found no difference in spontaneous preterm birth according to vaccination status, although it reported lower rates of some other pregnancy complications. These findings are promising but do not establish that the vaccine prevents preterm birth.

Preterm birth means a baby is born before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. Depending on how early a baby arrives, complications can include breathing difficulties, feeding problems and challenges with temperature regulation. Some babies need specialised neonatal care and longer hospital stays. Not every premature baby experiences serious health problems, but early birth can increase the risk of complications. Preventing avoidable risk factors is therefore an important part of pregnancy care, and researchers are exploring whether HPV prevention could eventually contribute to that effort.

No vaccine can guarantee a complication-free pregnancy, and the HPV vaccine has not been established as a treatment for preventing preterm birth. The studies so far have reported different results, and factors such as previous cervical treatment, existing health conditions and differences between study populations can affect the findings. The established benefit of HPV vaccination remains its protection against HPV-related disease, including cervical cancer. Any possible benefit for pregnancy outcomes should be viewed as an additional area of research rather than a confirmed medical outcome.

Women who have not completed HPV vaccination can ask their doctor whether they should receive it before pregnancy. In the United States, routine catch-up vaccination is recommended through age 26, while some adults aged 27–45 may consider vaccination after discussing the likely benefits with a healthcare professional. Recommendations and eligibility can differ by country. The vaccine is not recommended during pregnancy, so any remaining doses are generally postponed until after delivery if a woman becomes pregnant during the vaccination series. Women who discover they received a dose while pregnant should contact their healthcare provider for guidance.

The possibility that HPV vaccination could be linked to fewer pregnancy complications is encouraging, but more research is needed before scientists can confirm a direct effect on preterm birth. Women should not get the vaccine solely to prevent premature delivery. Instead, they can consider its proven role in preventing HPV-related disease and discuss the right vaccination schedule with a qualified healthcare professional. Regular cervical screening, when recommended, also remains important because vaccination does not protect against every cancer-causing HPV type. Informed decisions today can help women protect their long-term health while planning for the future.