HPV Support

duhnor · H-elper Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Posts: 21

Bell, just to be clear and respond to your challenges for the sake of anyone reading this:

>> You don't think the studies they've done showing people to be DNA negative for HPV is solid evidence enough that many people do clear it? I think that evidence doesn't get more solid than that.

This is only done on women. There is no test for men. Therefore, you may consider this as "evidence" that it can be cured in women, but not in men. Also, I believe that the DNA test are not for the same strain that most men get and pass to women.

>> This combined with the stories of people who have cleared it for many many years (not just 2 years, like me... but people who have cleared it for over 10 years. There's one lady on these boards who has not seen a wart for 18 years).

This is the one I don't understand. Why would anyone come to this board after 10-18 years of no warts? I find this to be questionable. Also, as you pointed out, personal stories are not exactly scientific evidence. I'm not prepared to recommend that women have unprotected sex with a guy who has only been clear for 6-24 months based just on this "anecdotal" evidence."

I respect a woman's right to have sex with anyone you want, but at some point my wife and I plan to teach our daughter to examine her boyfriend's penis very-carefully before letting it contact any part of her body. I'm also going to teach her to inquire about her boyfriends' sexual history, and to avoid boys who might have been sexually active in the past. If my daughter ever reads this forum, then I hope she understands that it COULD be a life sentence if her or her lover ever get the disease. Come to think of it, my daughter might be immune since she can get the vaccine. However, my advice to women over 26 and ineligible for the vaccine is to ASSUME that it's a life sentence, until REAL SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE PROVES that it's not.

Your mileage may vary.

bflwc · Super H-ero! Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 1574

I wouldn't recommend anybody have unprotected sex PERIOD.

So what you're essentially saying is that you're going to tell your daughter to avoid men who arent virgins. It also seems like you're going to be giving her a lot of hang ups about sex and promoting the idea about how horrible STDs are...when that's quite far from the truth. I'm also trying to figure out how exactly you propose she examine this guy's penis. That's just my take on things.

Based on your experience (and I'm saddened to hear that you're having such a hard time), you're recommending that people treat HPV like it's the worst thing that could ever happen to them. In the grand scheme of things, it's not. HIV can be a life sentence. Low-risk HPV is nowhere close to being a life sentence. With our current medical system, even high-risk HPV isn't much of a life sentence. I refuse to be defined by my genitals. I am so much more than that. I'm sorry that you feel that HPV is the end of your world...but I think Bell's point (and I could be off) is that it doesn't need to be the end of someone's life.

wild_mango · H-ercules Poster Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 210

well said bflwc.

Bell · H-ero! Joined: 19 Sep 2005 Posts: 708

Actually yeah, that's pretty much exactly what I was trying to say.

I don't have a life sentence. If I get warts again, I'll deal with that. Just like I dealt when I had them two years ago... or 20 years ago on my hands and feet. Just like I deal with it if I get a rash from something. Get it treated, and get on with life.

The studies were done in women. But they were for both low and high risk HPV on the cervix. And low risk is still low risk, whether its external, internal or whatever... same virus, same difference. Your argument is like saying the vaccine doesn't work on men because it was only studied in women. Could be true, but probably isn't. If you see what I mean...

I'm sorry if I have sounded rude or inconsiderate. That's not what I'm trying to do. I just find your posts rather depressing and that they do blow this out of proportion.
_________________
Diagnosed low risk July '05.

No symptoms since September '05 - Touch wood!

Bell · H-ero! Joined: 19 Sep 2005 Posts: 708

HPVhag · Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 6:37 am Post subject:

As a public health professional, with an interest in sex education, I would caution you against trying to tell your daughter not to sleep with anyone who's had previous sexual encounters.

First off, this is putting an artificial strain on any relationship before it's begun. If she is going to be sexually attracted to a man, then she needs to be able to deal with that aspect of the relationship on its own merits - whether he is a kind, compassionate, honest guy and so on - rather than having to worry about whether or not she's his first. And to be realistic, she is not going to have only one partner herself. If you train her to think that previous experience is something to be scared of, you run the risk of giving her anxiety, self-doubt and stress about her own sexuality and sexual choices.

Secondly, it's to be hoped that she has a rich and rounded education and career ahead of her. But these things take time and so it's probable that she'll be one of the millions of women who delay marriage or settling down until she's finished college or established herself in a profession. The prospect of her finding a virgin partner in maturity is exceedingly small. If she's been told that these are the only guys she should go with, you are limiting her life chances.

The message I'd suggest instead is one of making an informed choice. Yes, tell her about GW and all the other STDs. Tell her about how to protect herself. Make sure she has the self-esteem and skills to negotiate safe sex and to reject advances she doesn't want. But above all, she'll need to know that she cannot go through life without taking chances or making decisions. Please, don't burden her with expectations that will make it harder for her to enjoy all that life can offer.

duhnor · H-elper Joined: 28 Jun 2007 Posts: 21

All of your points are well-taken and very-inspiring. I'm also re-assurred that my kids can have a reasonably-normal life even if they eventually get this dreaded disease. Thanks again for all of the optimism.

OhMyLife!! · Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 2:36 pm Post subject:

What is the doom and gloom all about? Honestly.

I could have HIV, which is the ultimate life sentence, but fortunately, I don't.
I could have cancer, but fortunately, I don't.
I could have Multiple Sclerosis or another condition that affects my mobility, but fortunately, I don't.
I could have a brain injury or similar which would affect my communication to others, but fortunately, I don't.
I could have Alzheimer's and not know who I am anymore, but fortunately, I don't.

What I do have is diabetes, which is a life sentence. I'm darn sure I'm concerned about the side effects of that - heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, blindness... - than a MINOR skin condition that is perfectly treatable. It may come, it may go, it may be hard to find a partner but I know that I would want anyone who wants to be with me to be able to see the bigger picture anyway.

There are a wealth of serious illnesses and diseases in the world. I have known people affected by each of the above conditions, and by Christ, I have never heard them moan as much as some individuals on these boards! Yes, it's a shock when you are first diagnosed with HPV, but it's one of the 'cleaner' STDs (no disrespect to anyone who has suffered other STDs) to have. Doesn't necessarily mean you've been having unprotected sex!!
_________________
Keep smiling!!....OhMyLife!!

Diagnosed February 2007...

Bump free since June 2007...

HPVhag · Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 3:04 pm Post subject:

I couldn't agree more, OhMyLife!

I have a child with disabilities who will never lead an independent life. Some of his schoolmates are so badly affected that the school's main challenge is keeping them alive throughout the school day. I am not exaggerating.

Yet the parents of these children are upbeat, forward-looking people who celebrate every moment of their child's life as something unique and precious. And if they can do it, surely people here can too?

C'mon, folks, let's get a grip, eh?

Bell · H-ero! Joined: 19 Sep 2005 Posts: 708

"This dreaded disease"?!

Ridiculous!
_________________
Diagnosed low risk July '05.

No symptoms since September '05 - Touch wood!

wild_mango · H-ercules Poster Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 210

yeah... I wouldn't call it "dreaded"....HIV maybe.. but even then people are living with that virus for decades and leading happy lives...so yeah... not dreaded....

FirstTimeGetter · H-elper Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 22

Edited:

js · New User Joined: 24 Sep 2007 Posts: 2

hey! is there a test for men to discover whether they have the hpv or not ?
and if i'm "cured" of hpv,GW's,and i 'll meet a man who's infected but doesn't have any symptoms,i'll take the virus again right ? and maybe gw's again? that's the reason i put the first question. i've read some books but still didn't find something clear about this. thanks

bflwc · Super H-ero! Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 1574

Sad but Hopeful · H-elper Joined: 26 Oct 2007 Posts: 13 Location: Illinois

Thank you so much for posting these FAQ's. You have no idea how much better I feel after reading this. I just found out I have HPV about a month ago, and my doctor didn't really have any answers to my questions. I have been totally clueless and scared and confused. I found this forum just to maybe talk to other people who have it to find out anything I can, and this was the most helpful thing I've read so far. So maybe I can sleep a little better tonight...thank you.