HPV transmission

[Gemmaa]

Hello Doctor,
I have anxiety about an encounter I had about nine months ago. I was in bed with a guy I knew a little, but not too well. We were kissing and he started putting his hand down my pants. He touched my clitoris for about 10 seconds and then I stopped him. A couple weeks later, he told me that he had HPV and I think he had warts when he touched me, but I don't know if he touched them before he touched me because it was when we were waking up. I just wanted to know if I should mention this to my new partner because I am afraid I may have gotten HPV this way. I haven't had a pap smear or any signs of warts, but I have a great deal of anxiety about having and transmitting HPV. Should I be?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Yes, you should see a mental health professional.  I don't know that it needs to be a sex therapist in particular.  Usually the best approach is to see your primary care provider and ask him or her to refer you to someone.

Of course this is a mental health issue, not an STD one.  Therefore I won't be able to provide any further advice.  This thread is over.  Good luck.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Hand to genital HPV transmission probably occurs, but it is uncommon.  The risk from such brief exposure, even if your partner had genital warts at the time, was very low.  You need not say anything to your new partner.

You need to work to get past your anxiety about HPV.  First, you can be vaccinated against the 4 HPV strains that together cause 80% or more of all HPV disease (the 2 types that cause most cervical cancer and the 2 types that cause almost all genital warts).  The vaccine is very effective and is recommended for every sexually active young woman. (You don't say your age, but I gather you are young, maybe still in your teens.)

Second, just plan on having regular pap smears as recommended for all women.  With or without vaccination, that will allow for early detection of an HPV infection that could progress later to cancer, and therefore will protect you from ever developing cancer, which is really the only HPV disease worth worrying about.

With or without the vaccine, you need to understand that you WILL get one or more genital HPV infections as the years go by.  At least 80% of sexually active persons get infected.  Happily, even without the vaccine, the vast majority of infections remain asymptomatic, go away in a few months, and never cause disease.  Having genital HPV from time to time is a normal and expected part of being a sexually active.  That doesn't mean you should knowingly have sex with someone with genital warts, for example.  But it does mean that you shouldn't lose sleep over HPV.  Just go with the flow, get vaccinated, have regular pap smears, and otherwise don't lose sleep over it.

I hope this helps.  Best wishes--   HHH, MD

[Gemmaa]

Well everything went all right, he seemed to be understanding, but I am not OK still. I am having anxiety about getting tested because I still think I have something.

I am worried because I had encounters before as well, about 6 months ago. I was having oral sex with someone who got tested just for me and was negative and also gave another guy oral sex but he said he was clean.

I think my anxiety goes very deep because I tell people about my fears from those encounters and the previous one from above and they say I'm weird to think that I am worried. Should I be seeing a sex therapist or something?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

If you're more comfortable speaking to your partner, it's fine with me.  I just see no medical need.  If you do it, be prepared for the possibility you will stoke his own fears, without need.

[Gemmaa]

Thank you doctor, this helps a lot. I just don't want to seem like I am hiding anything or being sneaky about assuming that it is not vital to tell him. I want to be as honest as I can, and not be stuck with a sticky situation later that could have been prevented.