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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by AMD on January 31, 2006, at 15:30:03
I just found out my girlfriend has HPV (as determined by some abnormal cell growth on her cervix). We've been together for several months now and have been engaging in unprotected sex (although we had STD tests beforehand, apparently HPV wasn't detected). This includes both intercourse and oral sex.
Now I'm worried I may be infected with HPV as well -- highly probable -- and will begin seeing warts on in my genital area and/or face. Frankly, I'm freaked. They are ugly and I'd be absolutely mortified and depressed.
What are the changes of this happening? Is it inevitable? I'm going to be paranoid now, checking myself constantly for any sign of cauliflower like growth.
amd
Posted by Sarah T. on January 31, 2006, at 19:07:57
In reply to HPV, posted by AMD on January 31, 2006, at 15:30:03
It is possible you had the virus prior to having intercourse with your girlfriend. Perhaps you gave it to her. Like many viruses, including herpes, it is entirely possible to have the virus without any visible evidence of it; therefore, it is possible to transmit the virus to someone else without even being aware that you have it. Years ago, when herpes first made the headlines, doctors said that the virus could not be transmitted unless visible lesions were present. We now know that is not true. Now we know that it is possible to transmit herpes even when no sores are present. Many viruses don't ever really go away, although the visible lesions can be treated. As you may have read, there is a strong correlation between certain types of HPV, the human papilloma virus, and cervical cancer; therefore, your girlfriend should be treated by her gynecologist. You should see your doctor, too.
AMD, I have read a number of your posts over many months, and it appears as if you are often in a crisis-like state or you believe yourself to be in such a state. Often, you post about having used or ingested some dangerous chemical and then spend an inordinate amount of time worrying about the possible short-term and long-term consequences. Now you have engaged in unprotected sex and are worrying yourself sick over the consequences. I wonder whether there is some way you could start to think about the consequences of your actions BEFORE you do something risky or dangerous. If you are unable to effect this change by yourself, it would be a good idea for you to see a doctor who could help you, through discussion and/or medication, to change this pattern of impulsive, risky and dangerous behavior. If you don't change this pattern, you'll continue to risk your own health and the health of your friends.
Posted by AMD on February 1, 2006, at 7:45:22
In reply to Re: HPV » AMD, posted by Sarah T. on January 31, 2006, at 19:07:57
Sarah,
I tend to agree with you regarding my penchant for anxiety, but I don't agree that in this case it's coming into play. I'm not so upset as simply curious, although I realize my message was tinged with urgency.
Also, this wasn't "unplanned" unprotected sex. This is my girlfriend I'm talking about here, and if HPV is undetectable -- in me or in her -- what precaution could have taken before moving to this more intimate step?
So, my question wasn't whether what I did was "right" or whether it was even "safe" -- that is my judgment to make, particularly with something as intimate as sex.
Rather I am curious what the possibilities of getting physical symptoms from either HPV or, for that matter, herpes, assuming one has either virus. It sounds that because a) a lot of people have it and go undetected and b) there's no way to know before you have symptoms whether you have the virus or not [you seem to imply], it's basically a crap shoot and something not to worry unduly about.
To reassert what I said earlier, this was /far/ from compulsive, even risky, behavior (unless you consider unprotected sex in any circumstance risky -- a philosophy I do not agree with at all).
amd
> It is possible you had the virus prior to having intercourse with your girlfriend. Perhaps you gave it to her. Like many viruses, including herpes, it is entirely possible to have the virus without any visible evidence of it; therefore, it is possible to transmit the virus to someone else without even being aware that you have it. Years ago, when herpes first made the headlines, doctors said that the virus could not be transmitted unless visible lesions were present. We now know that is not true. Now we know that it is possible to transmit herpes even when no sores are present. Many viruses don't ever really go away, although the visible lesions can be treated. As you may have read, there is a strong correlation between certain types of HPV, the human papilloma virus, and cervical cancer; therefore, your girlfriend should be treated by her gynecologist. You should see your doctor, too.
>
> AMD, I have read a number of your posts over many months, and it appears as if you are often in a crisis-like state or you believe yourself to be in such a state. Often, you post about having used or ingested some dangerous chemical and then spend an inordinate amount of time worrying about the possible short-term and long-term consequences. Now you have engaged in unprotected sex and are worrying yourself sick over the consequences. I wonder whether there is some way you could start to think about the consequences of your actions BEFORE you do something risky or dangerous. If you are unable to effect this change by yourself, it would be a good idea for you to see a doctor who could help you, through discussion and/or medication, to change this pattern of impulsive, risky and dangerous behavior. If you don't change this pattern, you'll continue to risk your own health and the health of your friends.
Posted by wanttobhappy on February 2, 2006, at 14:45:22
In reply to HPV, posted by AMD on January 31, 2006, at 15:30:03
It was smart to have STD test before engaging in unprotected sex. Unfortunately that was'nt enough this time, maybe this will change your mind about unprotected sex. I do consider unprotected sex risky, it does not matter how well you know your girlfriend(unfortunately). It is how well she knew her ex's and her ex's ex's if you know what I mean. I am not trying to be preachy just trying to offer another perspective. There are a lot of weird and deadly deseases out there now adays.
Wishing you the best of luck and health
wtbhappy
Posted by AMD on February 2, 2006, at 14:49:00
In reply to Re: HPV, posted by wanttobhappy on February 2, 2006, at 14:45:22
Well, we live with risks every day. Walking to work is a risk. Driving fast cars is a risk. Having unprotected sex is a risk. I suppose it depends on how much risk you're willing to take.
To me, sex was meant to be very personal, and introducing a layer of latex between you and your loved one is so impersonal, so unintimate, not doing so is sometimes a risk I'm willing to avoid.
*knock on wood*
But in general, yes, definitely use protection if you don't know your partner well enough!
:-)amd
Posted by wanttobhappy on February 2, 2006, at 23:27:31
In reply to Re: HPV, posted by AMD on February 2, 2006, at 14:49:00
I agree every day life poses risks, therefore why take unecessary ones. I have had issues with several forms of birth control, so my husband and I use condoms to prevent pregnancy. In my opinion no thin piece of latex could get in the way of our intimacy. This is MY opinion. I agree that we just need to weigh that risk in our own head and deal with the outcomes when they arise.
All my best,
wtbhappy
Posted by James K on February 3, 2006, at 4:20:20
In reply to HPV, posted by AMD on January 31, 2006, at 15:30:03
When I was a young man, while we were both wasted, I engaged in oral sex with a girl I later found out to have genital warts. Nothing ever happened to my face or any other part of my body. Luck, or just proof that it takes a lot to transmit virus. If we had both just shaved, I'm not sure what our chances would have been. She also didn't catch gingivitis.
James K
Posted by AMD on February 7, 2006, at 9:13:45
In reply to HPV, posted by AMD on January 31, 2006, at 15:30:03
The dreaded has happened. I appear to have a small wart on the shaft of my penis. It's about a millimeter in diameter, skin-colored, and raised. It must be a wart.
Suddenly I feel completely dirty and disgusting.
Some questions for the HPV experts:
a) Is one wart a sign that many more will appear? I've had this bump for two years (perhaps I did have HPV after all), but only recently has it begun to look more like a wart and less like a blocked follicle. I mean, it's cauliflower in appearance, which is not what it looked like before.
b) My girlfriend was diagnosed with HPV via an abnormal pap smear. I engage in oral sex with her. Can I expect to begin seeing these unslightly warts on my face? I'm freaking out over this.
c) I am going to have this wart surgically removed tomorrow. I know there's a chance for it to reappear, but isn't there also a chance my body will have eliminated the HPV virus? And if it had, would the wart have gone with it? (That is, does the presense of a wart indicate one still has HPV?)
d) Does the single wart -- if it's the only one -- indicate some constitutional weakness in my immune system? I heard most of these infections are asymptomatic and thus it's worrying me I have a wart at all.
e) Will I start getting warts all over my body now? I have this horrible image in my mind of my body disfigured by bumps, particularly my face.
:(
amd
Posted by ed_uk on February 7, 2006, at 16:37:35
In reply to Argh!, posted by AMD on February 7, 2006, at 9:13:45
Hi AMD
How did it go at the doctors? I hope s/he was able to reassure you.
> appear to have a small wart on the shaft of my penis. It's about a millimeter in diameter, skin-colored, and raised. It must be a wart.
It might not be. Your doc needs to have a look at it though.
>Can I expect to begin seeing these unslightly warts on my face?
I've never heard of that happening.
Sending you luck,
Ed
Posted by Sarah T. on February 13, 2006, at 1:18:07
In reply to very graphic and matter of fact » AMD, posted by James K on February 3, 2006, at 4:20:20
Some strains of HPV are associated with laryngeal cancer and some types of oral cancer. I believe that oral and laryngeal warts caused by HPV are more likely to be found in immune-compromised individuals.
This is the end of the thread.
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