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:
|
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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If you are dating someone for a while before taking that big step, I'm pretty sure your conscience will dictate what you do.
In the case of a one nighter ... all bets are pretty much off anyway, because you yourself are rolling the dice, condom or not. Are you 100% sure that the other party is revealing everything? Hell, like you said they prolly don't even know ... still, if you're going to feel guilty, is it worth it? If you're not the type that has a problem with guilt, no one on a message board is going to get you to change your mind anyway (not speaking of anyone personally)
Most answers would lie somewhere in between (no pun intended)
As far as thegoalie is concerned, I'd still hit dat sh!t fo-sho!
the best poll would be the choice of
disclose - searching for partner
disclose - in relationship/marriage
do not disclose - searching for partner
do not disclose - in relationship/marriage
Also ... 19-2 is a farking joke imho (but may be representative of the folks responding within this thread in the Lounge). I'm one of the ones that put down "No" btw - not along the lines of how I feel personally, but more along the lines of what I felt the general opinions would be. I'm just thinking back to my much more foolish days when I was trying to get laid like every other red-blooded male ... and I grew up in the Nancy Reagan "Just say no" era when high school girls weren't giving up a thing (my how things have changed) so I can't even speak of carnal knowledge until college.
Also ... 19-2 is a farking joke imho (but may be representative of the folks responding within this thread in the Lounge). I'm one of the ones that put down "No" btw - not along the lines of how I feel personally, but more along the lines of what I felt the general opinions would be. I'm just thinking back to my much more foolish days when I was trying to get laid like every other red-blooded male ... and I grew up in the Nancy Reagan "Just say no" era when high school girls weren't giving up a thing (my how things have changed) so I can't even speak of carnal knowledge until college.
I can't say if the poll is an accurate representation of what people would actually do or not. At least it shows that people's hearts are in the right place. I hope that if someone actually finds themselves in that situation, they would think of this discussion and do the right thing.
I think people think of HPV wrongly... honestly, yes, it is something that is transmitted sexually, but it's so common! It's not like someone has HIV or anything. As far as we know, if it doesn't progress to cervical cancer, it's not fatal.
And most forms of HPV are completely dormant- it doesn't do anything.
From what I understand, only one type causes external physical symptoms (genital warts) which is very rare... and then there are several types (13, I think) that causes cancer.
People who get HPV rarely have done anything wrong... a lot of times they aren't promiscuous or anything like that. It's just the norm, unfortunately.
And trust me, I've been a good girl my whole life
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I too will admit that I was recently diagnosed with HPV. I went to my GYN for my annual visit, everything looked fine, and the results came back SEVERE precancerous. The doctor thought their had to be some kind of mistake because I have been going to him for years and everything had come back completely normal. I had not changed partners, or engaged in any kind of promiscuous behavior. However, upon further testing we found out the diagnosis was correct, and that the cells had spread significantly, but had not penetrated the surface of the tissues so it was still considered to be precancerous instead of cancerous. I had to have several procedures done to remove these cells, and I had to have a cone biopsy to remove part of my cervix and endocervical canal.
Now, the question came to light of how did I get this, and how did it get so out of control when I get tested every year. The doctor said he has no idea. Assuming that my fiance and I had both been faithful (I know I was, and I trust that he was), that could only mean that one of us had carried the HPV strain for several years (which is very possible) and for some reason it became active. We have no idea who had it first, but have to assume that we both have it now. The doctor said that my body would eventually build up an immunity to the strain that I have, but due to the severity of it I have to have paps done every 3 months for the next 2 years, and then every 6 months for the rest of my life.
I am still pretty young, getting ready to get married, and because of what is going on I do not know if I will ever be able to have kids (my cervix may not hold a pregnancy). So, if you ask me if you should be honest with any new partner I would say definitely yes. Are you required to, I dont really know. All I can say is people are learning more and more about this disease, and most people who have it dont even know they have it. Since you know, you have the responsibility of letting any future partner know - otherwise your one night stand or potential relationship could completely ruin their entire life. For me, if mine had not been caught when it was, my diagnosis would certainly have been cancer.
I realize that this would not be an easy conversation to have, but consider the alternatives. Would you want to have sex with someone that you THINK is just a fling, only to really fall for that person and end up married to them (that happened to one of my best friends). Then say 3 years down the road she is diagnosed with cancer from something YOU could have prevented. You dont want to have to live with that for the rest of your life. Like I said, it will be hard to talk about, but it would be better to have that conversation now, than to deal with the consequences later. I know I would be absolutely furious if I found out that my fiance knew he was a carrier and didnt tell me - our relationship probably wouldnt have survived that.
Also, someone had mentioned that the vaccine was really expensive - it is $150 a dose X 3 doses at my doctors office. I am currently getting this - although it cant help me with the strain I already have, it can help protect me against the 3 other really dangerous ones. Many insurances have started covering this 100% under their preventative coverage (mine does), so you may want to check to see if you and/or your kids are covered.
I think people think of HPV wrongly... honestly, yes, it is something that is transmitted sexually, but it's so common! It's not like someone has HIV or anything. As far as we know, if it doesn't progress to cervical cancer, it's not fatal.
And most forms of HPV are completely dormant- it doesn't do anything.
From what I understand, only one type causes external physical symptoms (genital warts) which is very rare... and then there are several types (13, I think) that causes cancer.
People who get HPV rarely have done anything wrong... a lot of times they aren't promiscuous or anything like that. It's just the norm, unfortunately.
And trust me, I've been a good girl my whole life
The biggest problem with this is that because many times it remains dormant, most people dont even know they are carrying it and/or infecting others. Then when, for no apparent reason, the virus goes from dormant to active, it causes all kinds of damage.
I totally agree and I would only hope this would hope this would be representative of the rest of the happily humping populace.
And you said "happily humping" hehehe.
And you said "happily humping" hehehe.
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Filling in for Tigerstar, are we?
And to answer your question, yes I slept quite a bit while in college...beer bongs can be SO tiring.