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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
:
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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Does this make sense. I'm a little uncomfortable with the conversation... as you can probably tell.
Genital HPV infection is spread through sexual contact—primarily vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse. It is possible, though less likely, for the virus to be transmitted by sexual contact without intercourse. Rarely, a pregnant woman will pass HPV to her baby during vaginal delivery, resulting in laryngeal papillomatosis (warts on the voice box).
2. What are the symptoms of HPV infection?
Certain types of HPV cause genital warts and other lesions, but the virus usually causes no symptoms. Most people with a genital HPV infection do not know they are infected.
3. How common is HPV infection?
It is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the world, with probably more cases of genital HPV infection than of any other STD in the United States. About 50% to 75% of sexually active men and women contract genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. About 5.5 million Americans get a new HPV infection each year, making HPV the most commonly acquired STD. For more information, visit the CDC's Division of Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
7. Are men screened for HPV infection?
Men are not routinely screened for HPV infection unless they fall into a high-risk category. The current commercially available tests – the Pap smear and DNA HPV tests – are not approved for testing samples from males. However, some specialty labs have validated DNA tests for analyzing anal swabs from males.
General HPV Statistics
HPV infects 75% of sexually active men and women in their lifetimes; that means that 3 out of 4 of your friends who are having sex will get it or already have it!!
Young men get HPV just as frequently as young women, but very few studies have been done with young men since doctors did not think that HPV caused cancer in men until recently.
Oprah was actually talking about this today and the doctor on there said it was skin to skin only.
Does this make sense. I'm a little uncomfortable with the conversation... as you can probably tell.
How do I get tested for HPV?
None of the routine STD tests done on men and women test for HPV. In addition, the Pap smear cannot detect HPV unless the HPV has already caused cervical cells to become abnormal.
So, those that have said they don't have it can't be sure since there's no test until you have abnormal cells, which can take months or years to show up after you've been exposed.
PG & RG ... I give massive amounts of respect for disclosing what you went through (and more than like still going through). You are two very classy ladies of SD.
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Ok, so I was thinking about something. Everyone is saying that OP should disclose he has HPV to any potential partners, however, it has never been proven he has it. Most men don't know they even have it so he'd more than likely have no signs if he did or didn't have it. So, should every single male tell every possible partner they have it until they come out with a good way to screen men? Not everyone exposed to HPV aquires it.
Just food for thought and throwing that out there.
Ok, so I was thinking about something. Everyone is saying that OP should disclose he has HPV to any potential partners, however, it has never been proven he has it. Most men don't know they even have it so he'd more than likely have no signs if he did or didn't have it. So, should every single male tell every possible partner they have it until they come out with a good way to screen men? Not everyone exposed to HPV aquires it.
Just food for thought and throwing that out there.
PG & RG ... I give massive amounts of respect for disclosing what you went through (and more than like still going through). You are two very classy ladies of SD.
Ok, so I was thinking about something. Everyone is saying that OP should disclose he has HPV to any potential partners, however, it has never been proven he has it. Most men don't know they even have it so he'd more than likely have no signs if he did or didn't have it. So, should every single male tell every possible partner they have it until they come out with a good way to screen men? Not everyone exposed to HPV aquires it.
Just food for thought and throwing that out there.
It will never happen though. So many one night stand's occur, as does sex on the 1st date. As a human race, most tend to react vs. proact.
(BTW, I'm just playing devil's advocate here.)
It will never happen though. So many one night stand's occur, as does sex on the 1st date. As a human race, most tend to react vs. proact.
Your answers were just fine and I'm glad you're doing so well.
Your answers were just fine and I'm glad you're doing so well.
Wow! I'm sorry you had the same experience but it makes me feel better to know I'm not the only one.
Thanks for showing me that!
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So i've read through the whole thread, is there really no conclusive test for men?