Neem-based creams have been effective against the Human Papilloma virus (HIV), a highly contagious sexually transmitted disease that is difficult to treat and can cause cervical cancer and genital warts. There are estimates that 25 percent of sexually active people in the United States are afflicted at any one time and that up to one million people are infected each year. HP passes form skin to skin contact and not through an exchange of fluids. Condoms and barrier methods of birth control will not prevent an infection by HP for this reason. Using a neem-based cream as a vaginal lubricant during intercourse in conjunction with condoms may provide significant protection from this and other sexually transmitted diseases. For those already infected, applying the cream daily for a month has been shown to reduce the number of warts and stop the itching.