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Avatar universal

I have HPV & I'm So Scared

I'm almost 8 months pregnant & found out I had High-Risk HPV when I was 6 weeks. I was also told that there were pre-cancer cells on my cervix. I've done so much research and I just can't get a peace of mind.  The father & I weren't together at the time & I never told him. We are together now & I don't have any idea how to tell him. My mom doesn't know either. I feel so ashamed and I'm so upset about it still. I cry about it all the time. I don't want it to be mentioned at all when I'm in labor because they don't know. I don't wanna lose my family because of this. I just don't know what to do. Can I talk to my obgyn and ask her to not say anything about it because my family doesn't know? I know it seems bad that I haven't told him. Believe me, I feel enough guilt about that so don't hassle me about it. If I could find the right words, I would. It just seems so hard to tell someone, "I have an STD" I just don't think I can do it. I'm so scared.
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Avatar universal
After my first daughter was I was told I had HPV I was at the last stage before cancer......my doctor recommend that I did the LEAP procedure which I did and the when I went to get the results it was not there anymore......but I have to get check up every six months instead of once a yr like most people......it was scary but I believe you should tell someone cus it us always good to have someone there to talk to and comfort you
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Listen, as a sexually active thirty-something, I can tell you,unless you've been married since 18 and have never had more than one sex partner, chances are you've been exposed to something, and HPV is HUGE now. I actually have had normal pap smears and my last test for HPV came back negative, but blood work shows I have HSV1 and HSV2 (herpes simplex), though I have never had a cold sore or an outbreak. And I know several other women who have confessed to catching something (from men of course)  and you cannot possibly judge anyone on this- I would not mention your strain is 'high risk' because in my opinion, they're all high risk and you may be making it sound worst than it is. The problem with HPV is there is no test for men-alot of them are carriers but don't know it- with women, it's diagnosed by a cervical smear. There are so many strains of it and some cause abnormal paps and pre-cancerous lesions on your cervix, and some strains don't do anything- warts are rare and are caused by a different strain of HPV-there has been a stigma surrounding HPV and other STDs for so long. HPV is now being found in the mouth and is responsible for some mouth and throat cancers. I think this epedemic is more serious than herpes and other STDs since it's so easy to catch, where as HIV requires body fluids, etc. My sister has a pretty serious strain of HPV and she has had two kids. She is married too but she thinks she caught it when she was single.. not sure if her husband knows or if he has it. If you are already 8 months pregnant, you have nothing to worry about but you need to keep an eye on this- go for your yearly pap tests and you may need to get treatment for any lesions the HPV can cause-and your gyn may want to see you more than once a year to keep an eye on this. I doubt you will lose your family over this-your doctor cannot tell anyone as it is a complete violation. Telling someone you have an STD is a 'need to know' basis- moms, extended family members, really don't need to know-but your partner should, and your doctor of course. That's it- some older folks or those who are ignorant will not understand how common HPV and HSV is and its getting worst with the sexual revolution. But I think the pharma companies need to come out with a better vaccine and one that works for both sexes of any age-this Gardisal is controversial and my insurance won't pay for it because I"m over 29 and I dont think it's even approved for women my age. Really dumb!
Helpful - 0
377493 tn?1356502149
As the others said it is extremely common for women to have hpv.  I don't remember the exact stat, but it's something like 80% of women over 30 have it.  There are all kinds of different types of hpv, and many women will never know they even have it as no symptoms ever arise, or the virus just clears itself.  I also have the high risk type, although for me it was vulvar.  Pregnancy can apparantly make things a bit worse. It did for me, and not long after my son was born I had a very simple surgical procedure to remove the problem.  The thing to remember is that it is pre cancer, not actual cancer.  Your Dr. will monitor the situation, and do what is necessary.  After your child is born, just make sure you stay on top of it with regular pap smears.

Have no shame in telling your partner.  When I told my husband (long before we were married) I just gave him the facts.  I may have been carrying this virus for eons without symptoms.  He loves me and had no issue with it.  

HPV is not that big a deal, it's honestly not.  All it really means is being diligent about keeping up with pap smears etc. and that is something we should all be doing anyway right?
Helpful - 0
640548 tn?1340553355
So many women who have had unprotected sex at any point carry the virus.  Dr.s test for it with the pap in women over 30 because it's so common.  In some women it clears up on it's own, in some women it doesn't.  It's so common the vaccine companies even came out with the vaccine for it.  There are many different strains, and some are high risk for cervical changes, others aren't.  I think almost every one of my female friends have tested positive for it at some point, some needing intervention for cervical changes, others not.  Don't be embarrassed about it, you could have had it for years and not known, like many many women.  I had it during my first pregnancy and delivery and nothing was ever mentioned about it at all.  After the postpartum period I had cryosurgery and have had negative paps ever since.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I completly understand your situation. Im 28 weeks and have had hpv for almost 4 years and have only known about it for the past year. I remember the day I found out I didnt know what it was or a thing about it... I felt dirty scared ashmed.. Ect. I litterally locked myself in myapartment that weekend and cried the whole time. I was so ashamed to tell my mom cause shes always been so secretive about sex, turns out she had it at one point. When I told my bf now last year half way through our relationship I ws scred hed think I was gross but he understood. Were going to have a little boy in june and although its always in the back of my mind i dont let it rule me. After I found out my two best friends found out they had it too. Most girls do. Dont feel embarressed. It happens. But you caught it and it is no way a death sentence:) hope this long reply makes you feel a little better. Good luck!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
well honey dont be ashamed! there is  alot of people that has it. personally i dont have any STD's but my sister does! I was really little finding out she has herpies and it made me to the point that i was scared to be around her because i didnt want it. but now it dont bother me so much! just be honest about it to your family. I am sure they will understand
Helpful - 0
1958787 tn?1325376291
All women are carriers of the hpv virus but when you come into contact with the strain then you get it i believe.
Helpful - 0
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