HPV risk from 1 time protected experience

[stevehnb28]

Hi Doctor, thank you for taking the time to answer my question.

I have done much reading on the forum and aware that my most recent encounter with a stripper was a low risk  STD one but I am curious to know your expert advice in regards to HPV.

Here's my story.  I have been in a monogamous relationship with my partner since the age of 16.  We were both virgins when we met and have been faithful to each other until I did something extremely stupid about a week ago.  We are now married, both 31 of age.  

Now to the stupid event...  While out of town for work, I drank too much and ended up in a strip club.  Later that night, I had protected oral and vaginal intercourse with a stripper.  We put on the condom at the very start and did not remove it until after I ejaculated.  I also made sure I removed the condom carefully and there didn't seem to be any breakage or leakage.  My only concern is that when I "pulled out", I noticed that the condom was about 3/4 the lenght of my penis.  The "head" was covered, but the 1/4 closest to my chest was not.

After reading on this forum, this experience seems to be of very low risk of contracting a STD.  Would you agree?

However, I am a bit worried about HPV.  After reading about it, it seems to be very common and easy to contract.  Could I have contracted HPV from this experience since some of my penis was not covered?  

Both my wife and I have been faithful and I am very afraid that this one mistake will haunt me forever.  

Thank you for your time,

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.

There are no data to answer your specific question -- the chance of picking up HPV from a single sexual exposure, either condom protected or not.  But given the care with which you used the condom, I would guess the risk to be very low, probably under 1 in 1,000.  But I stress this is a guess, no more.

However, even if you had had a higher risk exposure (e.g., no condom) I would urge you not to worry about HPV. Even though you and your wife have never had other partners, HPV could show up in one of you someday.  How this happens aren't clear, but it's not all that rare even in truly monogamous, lifelong exclusive marriages.  In other words, if or when HPV were to show up (e.g., your wife develops an abnormal pap smear), it would not be possible (or justified) to attribute it to this single sexual indiscretion.

So my advice is to not let this worry you at all.  I have the impression you regret that sexual choice, and you'll have to deal with the guilt etc.  But don't worry about HPV or any other STD as a consequence.

I hope this is helpful.  Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[stevehnb28]

Thank you for the fast reply doctor,

Your answer was very helpful and makes me feel more at ease (from a STD point).  

You are  also correct, I do feel a tremendous amount of guilt over this incident.

Thanks again,