HPV

Hi there, my girlfriend was just diagnosed with dysplasia in the cervix and was told it was probably due to HPV.  The doctor suggested that I get checked for HPV so that I don't pass it back to her. I understand that HPV can cause either warts or dysplasia.  I don't seem to have any warts on my penis.  I had molluscum contagiosum in the past but I don't believe this is connected.  What do I need to do?  Can you get rid of HPV?  How do I know if I have it?  What do I tell future sex partners if I should break up with this girl?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Molluscum is a different virus, so you're right that it's unrelated.

Your girlfriend may have contracted HPV from any previous partner.  You may have HPV, but inless you have or get a visible wart (usually on the shaft, where you can hardly miss it), you can't know if you have HPV, and besides there's nothing to treat.

There's not much to say to subsequent psrtners.  You don't know if you have HPV and there's nothng to do anyway.

If you get a bump on your shaft, check it out.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[nina1217]

I know exactly how you or your girlfriend feel because just today I found out I have HPV. It's the worse feeling ever, it feels like my whole life just came down. It probably makes it harder for you because there is no way a male can get tested for it unless you show symptoms of warts. I don't know what to think because I have been with my boyfriend for 2 years and known him for 4 years. He has been the only one I ever been with. The thing is that he has had multiple partners befeore and said he got tested and came out negative. A nurse told me that If he had this virus there is no way he could have known because males don't get HPV tested. Sitting her and thinking about what a the doctor told me, makes me feel unhappy because I won't be able to be the same happy person. Now I view life differently. I think about everything that goes on in this world and won't take anything for granted anymore. I have to
hope I go more often to the doctor and take care of myself. People often read or hear stories like these and think it will never happen to them (that use to be me), but they have to be careful and use protection because sex is not a game. I now wished I was careful. Now I will always wonder why it had to be me.

[jules2003]

Nina, I understand how you feel- find my other post at the end of a thread about "Molluscum or Folliculitis" for my personal history. I just wanted to give you a little encouragement. You were in a stable, trusting relationship and had been for two years. How could you have been anymore careful? Think about it- married or not, at some point in time, a comfortable trust level between a couple is reached and the condom comes off. In fact, the condom has to come off eventually so we can procreate- it's a fact of life. Don't beat yourself up over it. Don't become a cynic of life or a germ paranoid person- that's no fun at all. Hopefully, your boyfriend is being supportive throughtout this for you. In turn, be supportive of him. Don't blame him for the infection. It's more than likely true that he had no idea he was a carrier- lucky for both of you, now you both know and you can warn future partners- if it comes to that. If he isn't being supportive, question whether or not you want him as a life partner. There are lots of other partners out there who will be loving and supportive- and they may or may not be HPV carriers. With trust and honesty, they will completely accept you as you are, HPV and all. Make peace with your diagnosis and strive to be that same happy person again. Soon enough, you will be able to get through a day without thinking about warts- and then that day will stretch into 2-3 days, then into a week, and then longer and longer. There are support groups out there- online support groups that you may want to check out. It's tough not to mourn the change in your life. You may feel like it's the end of the world- or at least it's the end of innocence. Make this pass. Keep your chin up. You are the same great person you were the day before you got your diagnosis. Find my other post- I've given some medical tips that you need to know- like "get an annual pap smear" because you are at higher risk now for cervical cancer. There's a plus in having this diagnosis- you know to get screened regularly for this- insist on it. Women that don't know they are carriers (and that's pretty much all the women on the planet that DON'T "officially" have HPV- this is such a common infection) are told after two clear annual pap smears that they only need to be checked at 5 year intervals. Cervical cancers grow quickly and quietly and the earlier they are caught, the easier they are to treat. Hey- cool- I've just given you one more thing to worry about!! LOL!!! The point I'm making is you can worry about absolutely everything and have a pretty miserable life or you can relax a little, don't worry as much, and have a good time at the movies, with your friends, with your family...with whatever makes your life worth living. Keep it in perspective. Smile.