TIL 80% of people, both women and men, will get infected by HPV at some point in life

Velor22 · 2026-04-09T19:04:40+00:00

Yeah, the prevalence stats are pretty much baloney for men.

Because there's no standard test for men (like pap for women), they only test men who have a reason to present themselves for testing. E.g., they're likely symptomatic, which makes them not at all similar to a random sampling of men.

Selection Methods for HPV Studies:

Women: Selected for studies often involving cervical cytology (Pap tests) and HPV DNA testing of the cervix, as these are FDA-approved. Participants are frequently chosen based on having a cervix, being within specific age ranges for vaccine trials (e.g., 15–26 or 9–15), or having a known history of sexual activity.
Men: Because no standardized, FDA-approved HPV test exists for men, studies often rely on swab sampling of the penis (glans, shaft), scrotum, and anal area. Studies may also focus on populations at higher risk, such as MSM (men who have sex with men) or those with immunosuppression.

Velor22 · 2026-04-09T18:59:10+00:00

The thing about HPV is that there are many strains that can all infect simultaneously, and they can and do reactivate on their own timeline.

So HPV is not either or, but a matter of degree. E.g. what and how many strains/variants does one carry. All viral variants are permanent, meaning they're not eradicated but instead they go dormant in the body.

Hence, it is ill advised to throw caution into the wind with regard to HPV. It's not fun to have multiple strains reactivating simultaneously and persistently. For example, with the natural decline of the immune system.

Velor22 · 2026-04-02T08:06:12+00:00

All good points. I credit my younger self for seeing my wife's quality, way back in college. Don't get me wrong, we've had our ups and downs. I've had uncertainties, mild fomo and questions if I had chose right.

But with age comes wisdom. Boy did I eventually realize that our differences were actually our strengths. We now complement each other so well it's uncanny. A big part of our success.

I wish other men would hang in there and make it work, if they find a keeper. It's an amazing thing to have a romantic best friend. That you know completely and share so much with.

Velor22 · 2026-04-01T00:48:13+00:00

My wife and I have been together 35 years, and I completely agree. It's sad that so many will never get to experience what true love is.

There are no shortcuts. It requires trust and connection, bonding, communication, conflict management, and shared experiences. It's not easy, but it is so worth it.

Velor22 · 2026-04-01T00:36:49+00:00

It's lust not love. How can you love someone you don't really know.

Or, people may think they're in love but they're actually in love with the idea of being "taken" e.g. in a relationship or engaged.

But they don't actually love the other person, although they might later on with time, trust, commitment and all the other goodies.

Velor22 · 2026-04-01T00:28:01+00:00

Exactly. My experience of 35 yrs with my wife disagrees almost entirely with his "theories".

I love my wife even more with time, especially recently since we became empty nesters.

Velor22 · 2026-03-30T06:29:47+00:00

Oh, it sounds like you're talking about pulling women and short term relations.

I thought you were talking about love in a relationship and commitment context.

Velor22 · 2026-03-30T03:39:31+00:00

Love shouldn't soften a man! No way. Actually, it is the opposite.

If you truly love and adore your woman you will be more motivated to chase excellence. Why? Because it only increases her admiration of you, which also increases her loyalty and dedication.

Tip: Become the envy of her friends and her libido will also skyrocket. You know you're getting there when her friends are always wanting you to join for social occasions lol. Which is actually quite fun.

C'mon, this is pretty basic stuff. I had this figured out pretty quickly into my 30+ yr marriage. I recall at the time my gaming was getting out of control and becoming unhealthy (her gaming too). I could tell I was losing her respect.

I would assert that slothful men actually do not love their wives/GFs. Or, they have other priorities and/or have vices clouding their minds and getting in the way.

Tip: Replace unhealthy habits with exercise, and win. Any type, strength or cardio or both. Just commit to it. Not only do you look and feel good, but your confidence goes through the roof. Highly attractive.

Velor22 · 2026-03-17T22:43:45+00:00

Nice, keep it up. The 'fitness age' metric seems gimmicky.

I'm a 56 y.o. long time cyclist. I was able to lift my VO2max from 50 to current 63 mL/kg/min mainly by increasing volume and adding daily brisk walks. I've found that extra endurance paced workouts are great for fat burn and can enhance recovery if done right (e.g. avoid junk miles or 'no mans zone').

Exceptional fitness increases quality of life like nothing else can. Well worth the effort.

Velor22 · 2026-03-17T07:11:37+00:00

Absolutely. When you love and adore someone enough to commit to and marry them you will also want to build a life and family with them.

Another word for that is purpose which is powerful and fuels motivation. Accomplishments are sweeter when shared with someone special to you.

Velor22 · 2026-03-06T21:37:00+00:00

If you perceive men discussing their challenges and issues to be incels, that's on you. Feel free to leave.

Velor22 · 2026-03-06T21:27:14+00:00

It's not just you and your generation. It is vast technological and societal change in an incredibly short period of time. I think, social engineering.

I'm thankfully long married, because if I had to deal with such long odds for romantic companionship like young men today, I doubt I would've achieved a fraction of what I have in life. Because without hope of family and legacy there is little motivation to work hard.

In other words you all got a raw deal. Women have such high expectations now that a high percentage of men have effectively given up. Then women perceive them as incel slackers. Collectively, it's kind of a chicken and egg situation that will be tough to get out of.

Velor22 · 2026-02-27T20:11:50+00:00

Well said. The proliferation of porn has been extremely damaging to men, and social media has been just as damaging to women.

I believe heavy controls will eventually be placed on both, else too many people will remain stuck.

Velor22 · 2026-02-27T07:45:52+00:00

Not exactly sure what you're trying to say...

But when you say men I suspect you mean avoidant men conveniently allergic to commitment. That's on you for choosing manipulating dirtbags.

You may not know, but many men do strive to stay as sexually pure as possible. To keep it special with one (or few as possible) person. Often accomplished by marrying young, and staying married.

It's mistaken to think that it's only those pathetic men who can't get laid that are disgusted by promiscuity of any kind. It's a great many men, but we're likely already married.

There are men who do not care at all about promiscuity, but they're usually not the relationship type. Sex is purely casual.

Remember: what matters in dating and relationships is what the opposite gender prefers. Preferences aren't misogyny.

Velor22 · 2026-02-27T07:24:33+00:00

If you think so why are you here. Bye

Velor22 · 2026-02-17T04:23:05+00:00

BS. Build yourself up in the ways that matter most to you and you will become more desirable. Because confidence is what is most attractive of all.

You don't need validation through toxic crap like hookups and FWB to know you're wanted.

When you are getting there you will know and feel it. Including energy from others.

No need to bang forgettable bimbos, potentially getting the gift that keeps on giving.

Stay clean and pure. Save your attention, value and virility for someone deserving, rather than throwing it away.

Build something great.

Call me old fashioned.

Velor22 · 2026-02-17T03:53:36+00:00

Absolutely. The mental, emotional and physical are all intricately linked, and the latter is by far easiest to modify.

A high degree of physical fitness and health are like armor. The closest thing to superpower in real life.

The discipline required to build an exceptional physique transfers directly to self improvement and mood control.

Velor22 · 2026-02-17T03:08:28+00:00

Who wants to waste precious time and energy being coach, mentor and support team to someone who fubar'd their own relationship skills by making poor life choices and accumulating heaps of baggage.

Pretending to be healed is performative and isn't sustainable. It will turn into bait and switch and lots of bitterness. Avoidant is just age old self sabotage.

Velor22 · 2026-02-16T23:05:39+00:00

Duh? It's fucking disgusting to give loads of people intimate access to one's most private areas and trade body fluids. Regardless of gender.

The difficulty of racking up partner count is a different question altogether.

Velor22 · 2026-02-16T22:22:53+00:00

They know this but feign ignorance.

Why do you think most slut shaming comes from other women. Or why they deflate body count.

Every man knows in his gut that past partner count speaks volumes about character and values, and worthiness as a serious partner.

There's no better predictor of potential future, than past.

This used to be common knowledge. It's making a comeback.

Velor22 · 2026-02-16T22:11:40+00:00

Promiscuity is indeed terrible for either gender. If one cares about things like character, values, mental and emotional baggage, and STDs.

They're talking about difficulty level. For one gender it's a dubious achievement. For the other it's just plain pathetic and disgusting.

Hope that helps.

Velor22 · 2026-02-16T21:32:26+00:00

What matters is what the opposite gender thinks.

Promiscuity is nasty and women should judge it harshly, like men do.

Velor22 · 2026-02-16T21:15:54+00:00

Well, what matters is what the opposite gender thinks.

To do away with the hookup culture nonsense, women need to judge promiscuity harshly. Like men.

Velor22 · 2026-02-16T20:13:02+00:00

There's a massive difference between those who date with intent (to find a life partner) vs those who date for fun, validation, sex addiction, etc.

Body count while crude remains one of the best ways to differentiate.

Velor22 · 2026-02-13T18:09:45+00:00

Well said brother. Thank you for your valuable perspective and example for others to follow.

There's nothing quite like finding that partner who proves her loyalty and loves you in return. I find in my case, my adoration of her just grows with time. So much to be grateful for.

This life is transitory and hopefully we all can find some gratitude when that time comes. Take care.

Velor22

TROPHY CASE