HPV, is it going to change things for you?

[Tanman aka Mike and Marie]

HPV, is it going to change things for you and your spouse/partner?

Estimates are that HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) currently affects at least 25% of women aged 18-59 and is estimated to eventually affect 75% of the same group. Currently it can only be identified in women but logic tells us men will are also affected (and/or will be carriers).

The disease while not overtly "life-threatening" like AIDS or HIV still poses some risk for cervical cancer.

Has this changed your attitude toward sex with others?, caused you to be much more selective/careful?

We would be interested in hearing how others feel about this.

MikenMarie

[havefuninsun]

ALL STD's are a concern for us. The "catching something" factor is the one that causes me the most pause in our activities. It is a fact that if you choose to engage in sex with anyone, you are putting yourself at risk. Like a lot of threads have discussed over the past year, everyone has to access their own risk.

What we do is get to know couples; talk to them. Be honest with them and gage if we think others are being honest with us. We then decide if they are a good "risk" -- again, everyone is a risk.

We also practice safe sex -- and I just don't mean condoms. I mean getting to know our playmates, we don't bed hop, and we don't engage in dangerous behavior.

Good luck!!

[StacyCat]

I automatically assume that everyone has HPV, and that everyone has Herpes type 1 (usually oral, but can show up genitally). Those do not bother me, and the status of my playmate in regards to those will have no effect (unless its an obvious outbreak of herpes)

Only a few strands of HPV cause cancer, most cases of HPV clear up on their own, there is no test for men, so the only way men know if they are a carrier is if their female partner tests positive for it.

I use condoms with everyone.

[todesireu]

There is now a vaccine for HPV called Gardisil. It gives protection from the four main HPV strains known to increase the risk of cervical cancer. Not completely foolproof or absolute protection but better than none at all.
The shot is recommended for girls/women from age 11 to 27. As a medical practitioner I recommend you at least give it some consideration.

[subtoMistressT]

We have started the series for our girls. Not only does it protect against forms of cervical cancer, about 70% of the strains responsible, it also protects against 90% of the strains responsible for genital warts. I would like to see everyone get it. Hopefully they will eventually come out with one for men as they are the primary vector for spreading the disease.

[belgiumCouple]

Originally Posted by todesireu

The shot is recommended for girls/women from age 11 to 27. As a medical practitioner I recommend you at least give it some consideration.

Is there a reason not do it when you're older (eg 37 like us) ?

[todesireu]

the vaccine was designed for that specific age group. i doubt it would be of harm after 30 but there may not be as much benefit either.

[StacyCat]

Originally Posted by belgiumCouple

Is there a reason not do it when you're older (eg 37 like us) ?

Mainly because once you have been exposed to the paticular strain of HPV (the vaccine covers 4) then the vaccine will not cover you.

The older you are, and the more sex partners that you have had, the more likely you are to have been exposed, and the less effective the vaccine.

It also has not been approved for those over age 26, so it might be difficult to find a doctor to get it from.

[curiousswingers]

Originally Posted by todesireu

There is now a vaccine for HPV called Gardisil. It gives protection from the four main HPV strains known to increase the risk of cervical cancer. Not completely foolproof or absolute protection but better than none at all.
The shot is recommended for girls/women from age 11 to 27. As a medical practitioner I recommend you at least give it some consideration.

quick question, you being a medical practitioner, my daughter is being given the shot now she is 11 her dr said it is only good for people who have not been sexually active, is this true? If so it would not apply to any of us.

[Chicup]

Originally Posted by curiousswingers

quick question, you being a medical practitioner, my daughter is being given the shot now she is 11 her dr said it is only good for people who have not been sexually active, is this true? If so it would not apply to any of us.

I don't know anything specific about this vaccine but something in the logic of this doesn't make sense.

Vaccines don't target an age group, and they can't tell if you have had sex or not. I'm not sure why they don't use it for adult females but based on my general knowledge of normal physiology I can't see why it would matter unless you have been already exposed to the virus.

Edit: Well I looked up some information and the 'cutoff' for the vaccine is age 26 but with no explanations. I guess after 26 you are supposed to be married and not having sex with new people :rollseyes

[curiousswingers]

Edit: Well I looked up some information and the 'cutoff' for the vaccine is age 26 but with no explanations. I guess after 26 you are supposed to be married and not having sex with new people :rollseyes[/QUOTE]


LOL well I guess then it does not apply to us

[Mr. Truelove]

On the CDC website:

Why is the HPV vaccine only recommended for girls/women ages 9 to 26?
The vaccine has been widely tested in 9-to-26 year-old girls/women. But research on the vaccine’s safety and efficacy has only recently begun with women older than 26 years of age. The FDA will consider licensing the vaccine for these women when there is research to show that it is safe and effective for them.


--

So I guess it's simply due to the research that has been done so far. It would make sense that with this type of vaccine you would spend the resources testing it on the more effective age group first, then work your way upwards. I'd imagine it'll most likely become available/encouraged to everyone eventually.

Mr. Truelove