HPV

When I was 21 and expecting my first child I was diagnosed with a precancerous condition. Back then there was not a name like HPV, but having a step-daughter also diagnosed with HPV I know that is probably what I had. I went through my medical procedures and my every six month paps for three full years. When I was expecting my second child I spotted for the first three months. My doctor warned my that due to to the extensive procedure i had that i could have complications. My daughter was delivered about 2 1/2 weeks early. I have had good paps for 23 years. I would suggest a second opinion if you are still having issues. There is a lot of good information out there, so don't just sit back and worry. Get proactive!

I'm not familiar with this particular disorder. How does one contract HVP? It is hereditary?

I'm pretty sure it is unprotected sex.

i was diagnosed many years ago, and i still lead a full and loving life. my vagina doesn't hurt at all.

god bless you.

I thought we couldn't talk about sex.

I understand that. However the forums are supposed to be pg13. Not sure if STD's fall into that category.

How old are you? Usually your body can be pretty good at fighting it off if you are under 25 (mine did, I had the abnormal pap at 19 and then a colposcopy before 20 and have been fine ever since. They removed most of the abnormal cells, not all and I am still good to go, my body did its job. They are now saying for Docs not to do the colposcopy on women under 25 because the body will more than likely fight it off anyway and the colposcopy can cause fertility problems so they may not have done that on you, depending on severity)

Now, for everyone else- apparently, none of you know what HPV really is- not only was I diagnosed with HPV but I am a phlebotomist... you probably know Phlebs as the blood drawing people, but we are bodily fluid collectors and that means we process paps. I used to work in an OBGYN and currently work in an internal medicine office, but we do paps there as well. Although I am not aloud to read results, I have to know this stuff.

HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) isn't as simple as being genital warts from unprotected sex. It is considered an STD but there are thousands of strains of it (only the 5-10 most common are covered by the so called "vaccinations" available) **SOME** types, not all, can cause genital warts (as a symptom), other types have no symptoms. The high-risk types cause changes in the cervical cells that come up as abnormal on a Pap, some (high and low risk) can resolve themselves w/o treatment, but some turn into more serious abnormalities (such as cervical cancer) if not treated.
Beyond having so many mutations/strains, HPV is a big concern because it can be contracted *even when a couple has protected sex* because it can be passed (not only from vaginal intercorse but) from genital to genital contact and it doesn't show any signs or symptoms unless you get one of the kinds that causes genital warts (even then, the warts can be located in the vagina where the patient doesn't see them, and in men they can be internal- therefore unseen- as well.) It is one of the most common STDs, about 20,000 Americans currently have HPV and about 6 million are diagnosed a year, and yet most people are practically clueless on the subject. Both men and women (hetero and homosexual) can get HPV but again, it has no symptoms so ElExGordo- the burning when you pee? Not HPV though it could definitely be numerous other STDs or a UTI, you should get that checked out immediately. That being said, all of you should know that HPV can also cause cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis, *kitten*, and oropharynx (back of the throat) <-- those aren't as common but they do occur.

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My gyno told me that 80% of people who have HPV don't know it. I thought it was the end of the world when I was told I had it - but after chatting with him for a while and doing some research, I've realised that as long as I keep my appointments for paps I really have nothing to worry about. It doesn't affect me in any other way. The only awkward thing is telling partners or potential partners. My gyno said I don't have to tell them, as most sexually active men will have been exposed to it, but I feel an obligation to them to let them know. It also makes it easier when I mention colposcopies and other potentially fun-time preventing procedures, because it doesn't freak them out.

When they can "see" your cervix is changing its because the cellars are, dysplasia, but might not be cancerous or prexanceroua yet. I had abnormal paps with colposcopy and some leep then my hpv...vanished. bc I was .21 and extremely healthy. And this totally frys me on a rant that I was six months pregnant mind u when I got my colposcopy! Gr I am glad they're not going to be doing them anymore under 25!

Thus was my up ay 1am with a baby rant ha ha ha