Anxiety of Oral Sex

[centennial]

Hi,
I recently received oral sex from a man about 40 years old who probably who may have had a lot of partners.  I had a LEEP about 12 years ago.  All of my paps have been normal for years and HPV tests have been negative for years.  With all of the recent media coverage, my anxiety has gone through the roof.  Do you think that I exposed this man to possible HPV?  How likely is is that I am still contagious after all of these years?  My doctor told me that this is not something that I should disclose to partners at this point.  What is your advice?  I tried to follow the advice of my doctor but am somehow feeling very guilty about it.  What is the incidence of oral cancer related to HPV?  I hope you relieve some of this horrible anxiety I am feeling.  What is your advice for those out in the dating world?  So many men have never even heard of this and I hate to be the one with all of the information to share.  Yikes!!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes, there are a variety of normal.irregularities and bumps which are normally present on the penis.  As far as asking, I think a direct, non-judgemental approach ight be best, i.e. "what is this" rather than a judgemental questions such as "are these warts?".  Before you ask, I also suggest you carefully consider what you are going to do with the information, realizing that there is a good chance your partner might say "I don't know>.".


with this, it is time for this thread to end.  eWH

[centennial]

Last questions, are bumps on the penis for other reasons natural?  Is it common for men to have other types of skin issues on the penis?  How do I ask this man about it?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I  think you are worrying entirely too much about the possiblity of HPV and these sorts of "what if" questions serve no purpose.  Virtually everyone has or will get HPV, most commonly in a genital location but from time to time at other locations as well.  Should you get it, so what?  Your own experience is a superb example of how continuuing medical care can help detect and prevent progression in those rare instances in which HPV infections do go on to increase risk for compications, including malignancy.   Such interventions prevent prevent the rare complications orf HPV which occur in a small minority of people.  Living in fear of HPV will only create anxiety and constrain your own sexual health.  My colleague, Dr. Handsfield likes to occasionally create longer, blog-like responses to concerns we hear frequently from our clients.  I will post a link to that response below.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/HPV-Transmission/show/1522088

...and with this, it is time for both of us to move forward and not to dwell on this issue.  EWH

[centennial]

Alright, this same man who gave me oral sex I have seen a few times.  I was giving him a hand job and felt something near the head of his penis.  Am not sure if its bumps or what.  I did not give him oral sex but spit on my fingers several times and then touched his penis for lubrication. My tongue touched my fingers which touched his penis. We slept together naked once but did not have vaginal sex.  I know you can't diagnose what is on his penis, but what if it  was a wart?  Could I get oral warts from this?  He came on my chest so is there a possibility of getting warts there too?  How do you ask a man about this without seeming too overly concerned?  Could I have oral HPV now?  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

This was answered in the 3rd sentence of my original answer -"First your LEEP- it's ancient history and does not need to be disclosed to future partners.  Your multiple follow-up tests and evaluations provide proof that this is not an active problem and has been dealt with successful. "

No need for disclosure.  EWH

[centennial]

The question remains-can my past infection result in future transmission to partners?  

Thank you.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  I'll be glad to provide our perspective on this.  First your LEEP- it's ancient history and does not need to be disclosed to future partners.  Your multiple follow-up tests and evaluations provide proof that this is not an active problem and has been dealt with successful.  

As for risk, the answer is the same.  If he's had multiple other partners there is little chance that he has not already had HPV.  Please remember, this is an infection that nearly everyone gets and that few people have complications from.  You were one of that latter group and are living proof of how well screening programs work for detecting these rare problems and preventing them from advancing.  

The issue of oral HPV is a topic of ongoing research and much of the recent hype, particularly in light of Michael Douglas' recent statements on the matter is speculative concern about what remains a very, very infrequent problem for the millions and millions of people regularly exposed to genital HPV through oral sex.   I have pasted several past comments made by Dr. Handsfield on the subject that summarize and repeat our perspective provided in my comments above.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/HPV-and-oral-sex/show/1515473
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Oral-HPV-Cancer-Risk/show/1512873

Bottom line however, this is not something to worry (or loose sleep) about.  EWH

[centennial]

I'm losing sleep over this.  Would your advice be to not advise future partners of my previous LEEP for dysplasia?  Or is it best to reveal this information?  When I have revealed it, the guy had no knowledge of it and I had to explain the whole thing.  What are the chances that I could pass the HPV virus even though I've been negative for years?  Sorry....sleepless in Denver tonight.......