HPV cells

I had a pap test done and the called me back to tell me that i had HPV cells on my cervix. Does this mean i have an std and can i give it to someone else? I have never had any signs of it and i have never had an outbreak. I read online that there is no cure and that it can cause cancer. Does anyone know about this?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

HPV is sexually transmitted and acquired.  In that sense, the answer is yes, you have an STD.  But getting HPV is normal; almost everybody gets HPV at one time or another.

HPV is a complex disease and I can't answer all the questions you may have.  Several sources of information are available.  You can start with the link at the beginning of this forum, or go directly to the HPV information:  http://www.metrokc.gov/health/apu/std/hpv.htm   Accurate information also is available from the American Social Health Association, CDC, the National Institutes of Health, and other sources.  Also see the message string below, "Need Expert Opinion".

Good luck--   HHH, MD

[angel6382]

Hi,
I would just like to share my experience and attitudes about HPV with you.  I also got that scary phone call about a year ago this month.  I was told I had HPV and that I had to go have a biopsy.  Upon biosy I was informed that they were in fact level II cells.  Which are not cancerous but could mutate into cancer if left untreated.  I had a LEEP procedure, out patient, in the hospital.  It unfortunately did not clear the HPV as they had hoped.  I again had an abnormal pap and after another biopsy nothign abnormal was found.  It is rather scary, but in reality the odds are you don't have cancer and it could take years for it to mutate into cancer.  I by the way had myself totally convinced that I had cancer and was going to die.  It gets better.  Find a doctor that you truly like and trust and that will answer all your questions and it really will be ok.
Good luck!

[Luchie]

About 5 years ago my wife had surgery for Dysplasia. It seems like she has had a tremendous amount of problems since then including loss of libido, unusual discharge, migranes (migraines), severe cramps, mood swings, night sweats - terrible, you name it it has affected her, bless her heart - she was on the pill (several different ones) and had really bad migranes (migraines) during the week of her period sometimes more often than that. I have since convinced her to stop the pill to see if she could stop suffering so much, things have gotten a little bit better, except during her period. She still has severe night sweats all the time and is taking Extra Strength Estroven along with 2 other types of hormone pills her doctor recommended - minimal success. I am curious if anyone else has experienced these types of symptoms - is it coincidental? We need some help and have been to several doctors to no avail. Could the surgery have had something to do with this?

any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I doubt your wife's symptoms are due to her past dysplasia or surgery.  Perhaps menopausal symptoms, but she is being treated for those.  I suggest she continue to express her concerns to her doctor and follow his advice; or ask for a referral for a second opinion.  I don't think there is any STD issue going on.

Good luck--

HHH, MD