ar
01-10-2001, 06:11 AM
If you are one of the many who has been diagnosed with HPV, or have a partner who has, this is a message of support to you. I know this can be difficult and confusing. While there is information readily available on the internet much of it covers the same thing, some of it is contradictory and after research you might have some questions that were not adequately answered. These uncertainties among other things can lead to a stressful situation. I just want to send out my love and support to anyone who is dealing with this. Hang in there. You are not alone. The book hardly seems to be closed on HPV, and with continuing research we might learn some things we did not know (hopefully good news). Think positive. Peace.
Sponsor
leibesleid
01-11-2001, 11:14 AM
thats very kind of you, peace
Snuggles2u
01-23-2001, 12:48 AM
Sweet
M&Mgirl
03-14-2005, 09:57 PM
Agreed ar. Also, it's very easy to feel isolated and scared when you first find out. If you are ready to talk about it, and have people in your life that you trust, you may find that it's so much more common than you feel it is. We're all made to feel in 5th grade sex ed that STDs are only for the "bad kids," but that's simply not true. As a matter of fact, when I talked with my doctor about it, who is AMAZING, she told me that she once had it. She told me also that up to 60% of sexually active adults are carriers. That's 6 out of 10 in a room. And when I was ready to bring it up to some of my friends, I found out that 8 of my closest girlfriends have it, too. In this day and age, it's hard to protect yourself from it. But you can educate yourself so that you can at the very least keep your sanity if you ever find yourself in the situation.
It won't ruin your life, I promise.
It won't ruin your life, I promise.
dcaptain
03-14-2005, 10:01 PM
Very cool thread. Peace.
ladivapr00
03-14-2005, 11:39 PM
thanks for the message. Interesting I had been curious whether or not gyn doctors actually have the virus considering how epidemic HPV is.
azamber
03-24-2005, 09:38 AM
Good thread. I noticed in several others the level of anxiety expressed over this very common virus, but this seemed the most appropriate place to share my feelings.
When I was first diagnosed with HPV after a bad pap several years ago, I thought it was the end of my sex life, but that fear only lasted about 3 months until I had done enough research to find that most other sexually active adults have it as well. (I've read several estimates of 80%) Additionally almost every older woman I know has had some form of cervial cancer or dysplasia, usually caused by HPV. The connection between HPV and cervial cancer wasn't commonly known until recently, so many of the older women have no idea that they have/had HPV. Hearing "incurable STD" can cause feelings of depression, anxiety, and of feeling stigmatised, but I can assure anyone reading this thread, especially the younger posters who just got out of sex ed class and may fear the worst, that this is nothing to lose sleep over. Same as always, get regular pap tests, and you'll be fine.
Some may disagree, but I saw no need to inform my past sexual partners, especially given their levels of promisuity and almost certain chances of getting it elsewhere. We are very close to having a vaccine, which will help prevent cancers caused by HPV. I do not have the wart strain of the virus, that I know of, and from what I understand, very few strains of HPV cause warts, and very few people exposed to those strains go on to develop warts, which are treatable anyway.
So to sum it up, don't stress, or lose sleep over it. This is, by far, not the end of your sex life. And for those worried about it affecting your relationships with a significant other, just present the facts, and encourage them to do their own research, which should aleviate any of their fears.
When I was first diagnosed with HPV after a bad pap several years ago, I thought it was the end of my sex life, but that fear only lasted about 3 months until I had done enough research to find that most other sexually active adults have it as well. (I've read several estimates of 80%) Additionally almost every older woman I know has had some form of cervial cancer or dysplasia, usually caused by HPV. The connection between HPV and cervial cancer wasn't commonly known until recently, so many of the older women have no idea that they have/had HPV. Hearing "incurable STD" can cause feelings of depression, anxiety, and of feeling stigmatised, but I can assure anyone reading this thread, especially the younger posters who just got out of sex ed class and may fear the worst, that this is nothing to lose sleep over. Same as always, get regular pap tests, and you'll be fine.
Some may disagree, but I saw no need to inform my past sexual partners, especially given their levels of promisuity and almost certain chances of getting it elsewhere. We are very close to having a vaccine, which will help prevent cancers caused by HPV. I do not have the wart strain of the virus, that I know of, and from what I understand, very few strains of HPV cause warts, and very few people exposed to those strains go on to develop warts, which are treatable anyway.
So to sum it up, don't stress, or lose sleep over it. This is, by far, not the end of your sex life. And for those worried about it affecting your relationships with a significant other, just present the facts, and encourage them to do their own research, which should aleviate any of their fears.
ladivapr00
03-24-2005, 07:54 PM
azamber i agree that one does not need to be overly worried about this virus but I agree that one has to be precautious, assume that everybody we sleep with have the virus, use of condoms mandatory cause I personally at least wouldn't like to have the agressive type's of HPV. I don't like the idea of having to have cut half of my cervix and needing to have my cervix stiched because my cervix is unable to hold a baby on it's own. Quite frankly me personally having so far the mild strain of the HPV has made me rethink about my sex life to only have sex again if/only it's a very serious relationship. And I certainly plan to say that I have the virus to my future sexual partner, whoever he will be so he knows.
terrilynne
03-28-2005, 09:43 PM
ar,
What is your experience with HPV? I recently had an abnormal pap and my doctor recommended I have a colposcopy. I went in for that last week and the whole thing was traumatic. It was also very painful. He said I have HPV and wants to do surgery. When he told me it was sexually transmitted, it blew me away. I am 44 and have probably 5 sexual partners in my lifetime. I am divorced and have been in a monogamous relationship for about a year now. My boyfriend went to his doctor today and he is okay. My ex-husband wasn't fond of showers and I wonder if the virus could orginate through bacteria. I'm wondering why my doctor recommended surgery before he even sees my biopsy results. Is surgery the only treatment? I had a partial hysterectomy 3 years ago, so I don't have a cervix. Any knowledge or personal experience would be helpful to me.
What is your experience with HPV? I recently had an abnormal pap and my doctor recommended I have a colposcopy. I went in for that last week and the whole thing was traumatic. It was also very painful. He said I have HPV and wants to do surgery. When he told me it was sexually transmitted, it blew me away. I am 44 and have probably 5 sexual partners in my lifetime. I am divorced and have been in a monogamous relationship for about a year now. My boyfriend went to his doctor today and he is okay. My ex-husband wasn't fond of showers and I wonder if the virus could orginate through bacteria. I'm wondering why my doctor recommended surgery before he even sees my biopsy results. Is surgery the only treatment? I had a partial hysterectomy 3 years ago, so I don't have a cervix. Any knowledge or personal experience would be helpful to me.
MarifromPR
03-29-2005, 08:54 PM
i dont understand this terril. If you don't have a cervix then how can one have a pap smear?
The virus could have come from any of your past sexual partners. HPV dont originate from bacteria. It's just sexually transmitted with someone infected. Many men are carriers, they dont know they have it and it doesnt show on their STD's test. Considering you have partial histerectomy and no cervix my have to do with the decision of your doctor for doing surgery. Im surprised to he is not waiting for biopsys.
The virus could have come from any of your past sexual partners. HPV dont originate from bacteria. It's just sexually transmitted with someone infected. Many men are carriers, they dont know they have it and it doesnt show on their STD's test. Considering you have partial histerectomy and no cervix my have to do with the decision of your doctor for doing surgery. Im surprised to he is not waiting for biopsys.
Muscn
03-29-2005, 09:19 PM
Nope, its definitely not just the "bad kids" who get it. I practiced safe sex (or what I thought was) for over 11 years straight and still got it. I NEVER had unprotected intercourse, but did have oral sex unprotected so I either got it from that or from skin contact before we had intercourse.
terrilynne
03-30-2005, 11:07 PM
I'm not sure. My doctor said I only need one every 3 years, but since I had an abnormal pap, now I need one every year. The abnormal cells are on the vaginal wall. I read somewhere that only 30 percent of HBV cases are sexually transmitted. Have you heard anything like that?
Terri
Terri
azamber
04-15-2005, 03:59 PM
A pap can be done when there is no cervix, the vaginal walls are also affected, although rarely. Condoms DO NOT protect against HPV, which is probably why so many people have it. HPV is a virus, not a bacteria, and there are close to 100 types of HPV virus, and only several of those affect the genitalia, maybe that is where the 30 percent figure comes from. All genital HPV is sexually transmitted. Furthermore, of the types that are sexually transmitted, very few types cause warts, and several other, more common types, cause cancer. You can not transmit the HPV that causes warts on your hands, for example, to the genitals. Specific types affect specific body parts. If you have genital HPV, it was caused by genital HPV through sexual contact. And as far as I know, unless a male has warts, it isn't possible to know whether or not he has genital HPV, they seem to be only carriers, although, I have read that there may be a link between HPV and prostate cancer. I also read that in other types of cancers such as throat and mouth cancer, HPV was found in a number of those patients, possibly indicating a link. But not to fear, the vaccine is in the third phase of trials before becoming available to the general public. I read it could be available by the end of the year.
azamber
04-15-2005, 04:01 PM
Just to stress the importance of this, I will post it again, in a separate post.
CONDOMS DO NOT PROTECT AGAINST HPV.
CONDOMS DO NOT PROTECT AGAINST HPV.
tpagm
04-15-2005, 10:56 PM
condoms do protect you against HPV...that is if the wart is covered by the condom. Condoms will not work if the wart is located in other areas of the genitals. You should always use protection especially if you have this strand of HPV because it will protect your partner.
cocoeyes
04-17-2005, 01:56 PM
Yes you can still get HPV through condoms... HPV is a skin-to-skin disease... Meaning that if the males balls are NOT covered... You can still get it.
But STILL use condoms!!!! Unless you want MORE then just HPV or a little baby :)
I have High-risk strain of HPV although I don't know what strain I have. I don't believe I have the aggressive strain of 16/18 because I've had mild for awhile now. My colop/biopsy shows up normal so my doctor just wants to keep a close eye on it, although I'm thinking about treating it.
Take care of your bodies!! :wave:
But STILL use condoms!!!! Unless you want MORE then just HPV or a little baby :)
I have High-risk strain of HPV although I don't know what strain I have. I don't believe I have the aggressive strain of 16/18 because I've had mild for awhile now. My colop/biopsy shows up normal so my doctor just wants to keep a close eye on it, although I'm thinking about treating it.
Take care of your bodies!! :wave: