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STDs (Expert Forum)
Risk of HPV
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
Welcome to the STD Forum, which is intended only for questions and support pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV/AIDS, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus, genital warts, trichomonas, other vaginal infections, nongonoccal urethritis (NGU), cervicitis, molluscum contagiosum, chancroid, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
Risk of HPV
by icon999, Jun 09, 2009 09:32PM
I'm considering starting a sexual relationship with a woman, now in her mid 30's, who approximately 3 years ago had cervical cancer that resulted in a hysterectomy, presumably from HPV infection. As far as I know she has been cancer free since then, although with one or two questionable check ups which may indicate ongoing problems.. For both of us, this would be a casual relationship and not long term, and I am concerned about infecting future partners.. Can you tell me: (1) is there an ongoing risk of me contracting HPV given her history, assuming we use protection? (2) Can I contract HPV by giving her oral sex and then potentially passing it on to a future partner, or is oral sex not a means of transmission? (3) Do I run he risk of catch HSV from her via oral sex, etc.?
Any other advice would also be apreciated.
Thank you.
Any other advice would also be apreciated.
Thank you.
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jun 09, 2009 10:55PM
, Jun 09, 2009 10:55PM
Welcome to the STD forum.
You have no HPV worries in this situation, for several reasons. First, getting genital HPV is normal; it happens to all sexually active people. You happen to know that this particular partner might have had an HPV problem, but most of the women you ever dated also had HPV at one time or another. Second, hysterectomy for cervical cancer removes most if not all the infected tissues. Third, if you catch it, you'll never know it and it will go away on its own. To the specific questions:
1) Probably little or no risk, even without condoms. Consistent condom use would lower the risk still further, even though condoms are only moderately effective in preventing HPV.
2) Oral HPV infection can be acquired by oral sex, but it rarely causes any health problem in the mouth, clears up on its own, and oral sex rarely is transmitted to other people.
3) Do you mean HSV, or is that a typo -- i.e., HPV? There is nothing about cervical cancer that suggests a higher risk that your partner has herpes, and if it's a typo, it duplicates the previous question.
The bottom line is that there is no signficant risk to your health or that of any future sex partners from this relationship.
Regards-- HHH, MD
You have no HPV worries in this situation, for several reasons. First, getting genital HPV is normal; it happens to all sexually active people. You happen to know that this particular partner might have had an HPV problem, but most of the women you ever dated also had HPV at one time or another. Second, hysterectomy for cervical cancer removes most if not all the infected tissues. Third, if you catch it, you'll never know it and it will go away on its own. To the specific questions:
1) Probably little or no risk, even without condoms. Consistent condom use would lower the risk still further, even though condoms are only moderately effective in preventing HPV.
2) Oral HPV infection can be acquired by oral sex, but it rarely causes any health problem in the mouth, clears up on its own, and oral sex rarely is transmitted to other people.
3) Do you mean HSV, or is that a typo -- i.e., HPV? There is nothing about cervical cancer that suggests a higher risk that your partner has herpes, and if it's a typo, it duplicates the previous question.
The bottom line is that there is no signficant risk to your health or that of any future sex partners from this relationship.
Regards-- HHH, MD
