Joined Nov 2003
Rep'd thegoalie lately?
Forum Thread
Am I required to disclose this information before having sex?
March 29, 2007 at
05:33 AM
in
Question
My girlfriend was informed by her gynocologist that she has the human papillomavirus, or HPV. It's impossible to tell who had it first, but I'm most likely a carrier now as well. For those of you who don't know, HPV is a virus that's said to be a prerequisite for cervical cancer in women. Men can carry the virus, but it's nearly harmless for them.
Some HPV facts from wikipedia:
Here's my question. Am I required to disclose this information before having relations with another woman? I have a feeling that everyone's kneejerk reaction will be "yes", but please consider the following. There's a huge chance that the woman already has the virus, and if she doesn't already she'll probably get it in the future*. With a condom, she probably won't get it from me anyway. With pap testing, there's a very very low risk of cancer. And quite frankly, I feel that she won't know all the facts and will think it's a bigger deal than it actually is.
Thoughts?
*Genital HPV infection is very common, with estimates suggesting that more than 50% of women will become infected with one or more of the sexually transmitted HPV types at some point during adulthood.[7]
The American Social Health Association projections in 2006 were yet more pessimistic, predicting that about 75% of the reproductive population will have been infected with genital HPV infection in their lifetime.
Some HPV facts from wikipedia:
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Quote
:
HPV is the most common sexual transmitted infection in the United States. In the United States approximately 20-million people are currently infected with HPV about 6.2 million Americans will get infected with genital HPV this year.24.5% prevalence of HPV among females 14 to 19 years old 44.8% prevalence of HPV among females 20 to 24 years old 27.4% prevalence of HPV among females 25 to 29 years old 27.5% prevalence of HPV among females 30 to 39 years old 25.2% prevalence of HPV among females 40 to 49 years old 19.6% prevalence of HPV among females 50 to 59 years old In the absence of Pap testing or treatment, about 1% of women with genital HPV infections will eventually go on to develop cervical cancer. Women who have Pap testing or other cervical cancer screenings on a regular basis dramatically decrease their chances of developing cervical cancer. A 2006 study of 82 college students suggests that condoms can be up to 70% effective for preventing genital HPV infection if used for every sexual encounter. |
Thoughts?
*Genital HPV infection is very common, with estimates suggesting that more than 50% of women will become infected with one or more of the sexually transmitted HPV types at some point during adulthood.[7]
The American Social Health Association projections in 2006 were yet more pessimistic, predicting that about 75% of the reproductive population will have been infected with genital HPV infection in their lifetime.
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YOU'RE the one who's turning me ME. You should thank me for increasing HPV awareness. I'm waiting.
Good luck hun.
Anyone?
Good luck hun.
I don't see what's ridiculous about that.
I'm not even sure if the virus is permanent! For all I know, it clears up in men. I haven't read anything about that. That's one of the things I wanted to learn. From a reputable source, that is.
I don't see what's ridiculous about that.
and you never answered my question.... I guess I should never underestimate the power of denial
How about you ask yourself this-- if roles were reversed in the same scenario, how would you feel? (i.e. A girl had a disease that could, although unlikely, cause a man cancer and maybe even die). Would you want this girl lying to you and taking a chance while she justifies to herself why she is knowingly infecting you with a disease that could kill you. "Well, it is such a small percentage that die. Most guys have it but don't even know it, so he probably has it already. It's not really a big deal so he doesn't need to know."
So you would be cool with this?
YOU'RE the one who's turning me ME. You should thank me for increasing HPV awareness. I'm waiting.
I stand by my statement. This could have been a really constructive discussion if you hadn't demanded that people justify their "yes" by disclosing their personal HPV status.
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Let me ask you something the_goalie...how did you feel about your gf when you found that she most likely gave you HPV? I have to assume that since you're already thinking about whether or not you should tell your future partners that this current gf isn't the one. Did you think she was until the discovery rocked your faith in her?
In in the "I need to find out more information before I'm in the yes or no crowd" crowd.
In in the "I need to find out more information before I'm in the yes or no crowd" crowd.
I stand by my statement. This could have been a really constructive discussion if you hadn't demanded that people justify their "yes" by disclosing their personal HPV status.
Not sure where I'm going with this but I've never been diagnosed but if I had I know what a sticky situation it would be if I was on the prowl. I'll probably get bashed for this but I think the earlier suggestion of protecting yourself the best you can and talking about it in daylight conversation is 2nd best to abstinence.
Anyone?
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Here's my question. Am I required to disclose this information before having relations with another woman? I have a feeling that everyone's kneejerk reaction will be "yes", but please consider the following. There's a huge chance that the woman already has the virus, and if she doesn't already she'll probably get it in the future*. With a condom, she probably won't get it from me anyway. With pap testing, there's a very very low risk of cancer. And quite frankly, I feel that she won't know all the facts and will think it's a bigger deal than it actually is.
Thoughts?
OP, I know what you are saying now, but from your op, it looks as if you came here for two reasons.
1) You are very concerned how telling women this beforehand will affect your social life, specifically how much tail you can get.
2) While you aren't necessarily in the "no" crowd as you call it, you don't want to have to tell women this, and were looking for some justification or whatever to sooth your conscience because you know it's wrong not to tell someone.
I know you are saying you aren't in either "crowd" right now, but it's fairly obvious you are trying to see if you can justify not telling someone.