HPV, Cervical Cancer and Me - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

kurty[B] · 12-02-2004, 10:21 PM

When my girlfriend and I got together, we both got checked for STDs. Both are results came out clear. But she had some abnormal bleeding, and went for another pap a week or two ago, and we have found out that she has HPV, her cervix has precancerous cells, and she is going to need surgery to remove those.

It's almost a guarantee I have HPV now too, though? We do not know exactly which HPV she has (will find out soon), but I am wondering what this will mean for me? It's obviously not a wart causing form of HPV. I know in some cases HPV just goes away? Is this common? If I don't show symptoms of any sort will it show up on any sort of test?

And, then to the relationship side of things? Should I refrain from sex? Is it possible after she has the surgery for her to get it again, because I have it? Is there any sort of treatment whatsoever? I don't know. I'm trying not to freak out, but the information I do seem to find at the various sites just leads to more questions and worries.

CrossEyedLover · 12-02-2004, 11:26 PM

I am in no way a doctor, but I am very familiar with HPV through studying and first hand knowledge through friends affected by it, namely females with precancerous cells on their cervix.

Firstly: Virtually 90% of the population will be exposed to some strain of HPV. Most will have no symptoms or ill effects. Some will have mild complications which can be easily treated. And some will catch it too late and develop cancer.

Secondly: I don't know the exact number, but there are many, many strains of HPV. Some cause common warts like you may find on a hand or finger. Some cause genital warts which range from microscopic and unseeable to downright scary and abundant(fleshy finger-like growths). Most people will just carry it and pass it on. The most common forms of exposure are between mother and child during gestation or birth and sexual contact. Common warts are the norm from mother to child whereas cervical cancer is attributed to STD strains.

Thirdly: It's not always considered an STD. Like I mentioned above it could be herditary or passed on from your mother in , but when it comes to STD, precancerous cells can be caused by more things than just HPV. As I said before HPV is very, very common and it is possible a previous infection may have facilitated HPVs ability to cause precancerous cells. The body develops a natural resistance to HPV when exposed to it, but the HPV can lay dormant until it gets an opportunity to cause problems. HPV is the most common STD and some doctors/experts think that just about anyone that has had sex has been exposed to it, regardless of # of partners.

Fourthly: Your girl and her doctor may have caught it in time and may have little or no worries. HPV and precancerous cervical cells have (I believe---I know it's close) 5 stages with 5 being the worst. The doctor will run tests and determine which stage the cells were in as well as what stage the risk of spreading was.

Fifthly: It rarely has negative effects on males, but that also depends on the strain. Wait to see what the doctors say, but don't stress yourself out in the meantime.

Sixthly: Not that it helps now, but there has been recent breakthroughs in a vaccine for HPV. While a vaccine won't help now, it could lead to other froms of effective treatment in the future. So don't lose hope.

Lastly: You mentioned precancerous and not cancerous. That, in and of itself, is the key. Also, don't fret about reinfection. You both have it now and once the surgery is over she'll be advised to have regular PAP smears which will detect anything early and prevent major damage. Normally once it has been treated there is little chance of reoccurence, but there is no substitute for a regular PAP just to be safe.

You said you've read about HPV on various sites and I recommend you continue to research to the point that you are satisfied with what you know. It may help to keep you from freaking-out. Best of luck and try not to worry too much.

12-02-2004, 10:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
kurty[B] Sauce Puppet	HPV, Cervical Cancer and Me When my girlfriend and I got together, we both got checked for STDs. Both are results came out clear. But she had some abnormal bleeding, and went for another pap a week or two ago, and we have found out that she has HPV, her cervix has precancerous cells, and she is going to need surgery to remove those. It's almost a guarantee I have HPV now too, though? We do not know exactly which HPV she has (will find out soon), but I am wondering what this will mean for me? It's obviously not a wart causing form of HPV. I know in some cases HPV just goes away? Is this common? If I don't show symptoms of any sort will it show up on any sort of test? And, then to the relationship side of things? Should I refrain from sex? Is it possible after she has the surgery for her to get it again, because I have it? Is there any sort of treatment whatsoever? I don't know. I'm trying not to freak out, but the information I do seem to find at the various sites just leads to more questions and worries.

12-02-2004, 11:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
CrossEyedLover Upright Location: NorthCoast, USA	I am in no way a doctor, but I am very familiar with HPV through studying and first hand knowledge through friends affected by it, namely females with precancerous cells on their cervix. Firstly: Virtually 90% of the population will be exposed to some strain of HPV. Most will have no symptoms or ill effects. Some will have mild complications which can be easily treated. And some will catch it too late and develop cancer. Secondly: I don't know the exact number, but there are many, many strains of HPV. Some cause common warts like you may find on a hand or finger. Some cause genital warts which range from microscopic and unseeable to downright scary and abundant(fleshy finger-like growths). Most people will just carry it and pass it on. The most common forms of exposure are between mother and child during gestation or birth and sexual contact. Common warts are the norm from mother to child whereas cervical cancer is attributed to STD strains. Thirdly: It's not always considered an STD. Like I mentioned above it could be herditary or passed on from your mother in , but when it comes to STD, precancerous cells can be caused by more things than just HPV. As I said before HPV is very, very common and it is possible a previous infection may have facilitated HPVs ability to cause precancerous cells. The body develops a natural resistance to HPV when exposed to it, but the HPV can lay dormant until it gets an opportunity to cause problems. HPV is the most common STD and some doctors/experts think that just about anyone that has had sex has been exposed to it, regardless of # of partners. Fourthly: Your girl and her doctor may have caught it in time and may have little or no worries. HPV and precancerous cervical cells have (I believe---I know it's close) 5 stages with 5 being the worst. The doctor will run tests and determine which stage the cells were in as well as what stage the risk of spreading was. Fifthly: It rarely has negative effects on males, but that also depends on the strain. Wait to see what the doctors say, but don't stress yourself out in the meantime. Sixthly: Not that it helps now, but there has been recent breakthroughs in a vaccine for HPV. While a vaccine won't help now, it could lead to other froms of effective treatment in the future. So don't lose hope. Lastly: You mentioned precancerous and not cancerous. That, in and of itself, is the key. Also, don't fret about reinfection. You both have it now and once the surgery is over she'll be advised to have regular PAP smears which will detect anything early and prevent major damage. Normally once it has been treated there is little chance of reoccurence, but there is no substitute for a regular PAP just to be safe. You said you've read about HPV on various sites and I recommend you continue to research to the point that you are satisfied with what you know. It may help to keep you from freaking-out. Best of luck and try not to worry too much. __________________ Did you hear about the CrossEyedLover? He missed her kisser and kissed her pisser.