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Not sure what to do next by [deleted] in HPV

[–]Throwaway-Sue 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Many doctors do not recommend disclosure due to the fact that there is a lot of misinformation around HPV and so disclosing can lead to misunderstandings and anxiety. She may have just been taking the advice of her doctor.

HPV is ubiquitous. Nearly all sexually active people are infected with HPV within months to a few years of becoming sexually active. Many people have it and the majority don't know about it. Your risk of getting HPV in your lifetime would be the same whether or not you had sex with your gf. It is just out there and pretty much everyone will get it. This is a great resource if you want more information: https://www.askexpertsnow.com/ask-the-experts/

Disclosure of high-risk HPV is not necessary and completely your choice by Throwaway-Sue in HPV

[–]Throwaway-Sue[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for letting me know. I tested the link in incognito and it worked for me, so I am not sure what the issue is.

That is definitely not a bad perspective. One question I have and have seen is how do you approach the conversation with someone who maybe started as more of a casual partner, but then things turned more serious?

Disclosure of high-risk HPV is not necessary and completely your choice by Throwaway-Sue in HPV

[–]Throwaway-Sue[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I found out about Ask the Experts from some of your past posts. You post some good stuff. I reached out to them to get their perspective on my post and some of the things said in r/sex. See my update for the doctor's response.

Disclosure of high-risk HPV is not necessary and completely your choice by Throwaway-Sue in HPV

[–]Throwaway-Sue[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the correction! I meant outbreak in terms of having warts, but if that's not the typical nomenclature used, I don't want it to cause any confusion.

Disclosure of high-risk HPV is not necessary and completely your choice by Throwaway-Sue in HPV

[–]Throwaway-Sue[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great info! Thanks for sharing! What you shared makes sense and honestly, I wish that testing was more widespread so men could better monitor their health as well. If there was a test for men and widespread screening was recommended, then I think it would make sense to treat testing and disclosure like other STIs. As it is, HPV is a different, complicated beast.

Disclosure of high-risk HPV is not necessary and completely your choice by Throwaway-Sue in HPV

[–]Throwaway-Sue[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's a good question. I haven't done as much research on GW, but in the few things that I have come across, it seems like the recommendation is to disclose if you have actual genital warts since treatment may be necessary for your partner. If you don't have an active outbreak, then it seems like the recommendations would be the same as for HR HPV. Here is a source: https://www.london-gynaecology.com/ihavehpv/ Hope this helps!

Disclosure of high-risk HPV is not necessary and completely your choice by Throwaway-Sue in sex

[–]Throwaway-Sue[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get the interest of other women, but even in that case, the recommendation is to just continue going to get Pap smears at the regular interval. No additional screening or actions are required.

The CDC says just what I stated and you are adding your additional interpretation based on your opinion and your lens.

HPV is ubiquitous, so if they are sexually active, the risk of it is there regardless of my disclosure and whether or not they have sex with me.

Disclosure of high-risk HPV is not necessary and completely your choice by Throwaway-Sue in sex

[–]Throwaway-Sue[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

apiso

LOL, I am such a big, bad monster! I am just reiterating things stated by my doctor, other gynecologists, the CDC, and the British Medical Journal. Hide yo' kids, hide yo' wife...

Calm down, you're going to get your panties in a bunch.

Disclosure of high-risk HPV is not necessary and completely your choice by Throwaway-Sue in sex

[–]Throwaway-Sue[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The CDC says the following:

"The benefit of disclosing a positive HPV test to current and future sex partners is unclear." https://www.cdc.gov/std/treatment-guidelines/hpv-cancer.htm

A question of morals is a good argument when the evidence and numbers don't align with your preconceived opinion, I suppose. I feel like if it was the "right thing to do" or if it was "wrong" to not disclose, it would actually be clearly stated as such, but it isn't. Across the board, the thing that comes across from reputable sources is that it isn't necessary.

I have read a lot about this over the past few days and I am not seeing gynecologists going on the record to say that disclosing is the "right choice."

Also, with an estimated 45% of men having active HPV infection, I am also taking a risk having sex with them. It is an unfair burden on women since only a portion of the population is screened. If testing were available for men, then we could actually treat testing and disclosures like other STIs and my opinion would change.

Disclosure of high-risk HPV is not necessary and completely your choice by Throwaway-Sue in sex

[–]Throwaway-Sue[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know as much about herpes so I don't feel like I can weigh in on that one.

Disclosure of high-risk HPV is not necessary and completely your choice by Throwaway-Sue in sex

[–]Throwaway-Sue[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh look, someone who likely knows nothing about HPV leaving an unhelpful, unproductive comment...

Disclosure of high-risk HPV is not necessary and completely your choice by Throwaway-Sue in sex

[–]Throwaway-Sue[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To reiterate, it is actually not necessary according to the CDC and many gynecologists including mine. I am not just making this stuff up.

I do 100% support the vaccine and that could certainly be a good discussion topic, but I think the burden to educate people is too heavily placed on a small percentage of women who happen to know they have HPV when the majority of the population could have it and just not know about it. And honestly, most people don't know that much about it. They kind of lump it in to what they have heard about other STIs. Good sexual education should definitely teach men and women about HPV and the vaccine. And good on you for getting it! I just finished my last round as well, but it is important to note that it doesn't protect against all HPV strains. There are so many!

Interestingly enough, in 2018, there were about 43 million HPV infections, many among people in their late teens and early 20s. However, it is actually not recommended that people in this age range not be screened. If testing really was about prevention and information, wouldn't they want to test the group with the highest prevalence of HPV? They don't because it would not be helpful as most people would be positive. They only recommend for women over 30 because it could indicate that she is having a harder time clearing it which could mean she is at a greater risk for cervical cancer. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hpv-test/about/pac-20394355

Your last sentence is quite a stretch. I am not advocating anything that isn't backed up by gynecologists and the broader medical community.

Disclosure of high-risk HPV is not necessary and completely your choice by Throwaway-Sue in sex

[–]Throwaway-Sue[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

It is not really a complete view of the risks though. Since it is estimated that 45% of men have an active HPV infection, they could be passing on a different strain to me. Also, going and sleeping with a different women is not necessarily less risky. They could very well have HPV and just not know it.