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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
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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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Which also brings up this point: If you had a little girl, aside from the fact that you wouldn't want to think of her being sexually active at all and hope she makes the right decision, would you want a guy to tell her if he may carry something that could cause her harm?
Which also brings up this point: If you had a little girl, aside from the fact that you wouldn't want to think of her being sexually active at all and hope she makes the right decision, would you want a guy to tell her if he may carry something that could cause her harm?
After running tests they may have to have her come back for a leep procedure.
"LEEP uses a thin wire loop electrode which is attached to an electrosurgical generator. The generator transmits a painless electrical current that quickly cuts away the affected cervical tissue in the immediate area of the loop wire. This causes the abnormal cells to rapidly heat and burst, and separates the tissue as the loop wire moves through the cervix." http://womenshealth.ab
Painless my ass. They use a thin electrified wire to scrape at the girl's cervix and burn off the dysplasia. You feel like you're going to throw up, and during the procedure there is a burning smell and possibly some smoke coming from the vagina.
And for those that think the annual Pap always catches it in time - I would say not always. Mine should have been caught long before it became so severe, but it was not. Only other possibility is that it is a strain that moves so quickly it can become cancer in less than a year. That is even scarier.
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Which also brings up this point: If you had a little girl, aside from the fact that you wouldn't want to think of her being sexually active at all and hope she makes the right decision, would you want a guy to tell her if he may carry something that could cause her harm?
1) Do you know with certainty that you have or do not have the virus?
2) If yes, have you ever told a partner about it?
I have a feeling that no one will answer yes to question #2. I have another hunch that no one will answer yes to question #1, either. Even though, statistically, a good number of women and men will be carriers.
"Ooooo oooooooooo ohhhhhhhhh I have HPV ooooo ohhhhhhhhhhhh"
Okay, two key terms there: "ALMOST everyone" and "SOME form".
Not every person has a form of HPV, and of the many that do, just because they may have one form doesn't mean they wouldn't mind another, whether it's been found to cause physical damage or not. So let's not use the elementary phrase "But everyone else has it!"
This is a real, ongoing problem. Not something to be taken lightly.
You know, honestly, I think of it like this for those that are saying not all forms are deadly or really harmful:
Let's say a friend of your's has a child that has chicken pox, lice, or pink-eye, just for an example. Your child isn't immune, and you want to let them have a playdate. The friend didn't inform you that their child was carrying anything. Your child now has it. Yes, for the most part, none of these will cause serious problems, but the principle is that it would only be right to inform you of the issue beforehand so that you could decide whether it's something you'd want your child exposed to.
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1) Do you know with certainty that you have or do not have the virus?
2) If yes, have you ever told a partner about it?
I have a feeling that no one will answer yes to question #2. I have another hunch that no one will answer yes to question #1, either. Even though, statistically, a good number of women and men will be carriers.