Aa
The big concern about HPV?
I know that this really seems to be a big topic lately. Especially the advertisments. But I did some research and HPV is a sexually transmitted disease. So to tell all the women of the world that you could find out you have it is wrong. I personally would feel affended if someone close to me shared this concern with me, because I have only had sex with one man and thats my husband and he the same. So I personally have a problem with all these advertisements. I would be interested to know if anyone agree's or disagree's or just how you feel about it.
You getting offended over advertisements on t.v. is kind of ludicrous. Not trying to be mean or trying to offend you. But this is a REALLY important thing to get out there. I'm suffering from HPV, and I wish I had seen ad's on t.v. about it or something! I found out through a regular exam and it really *****. I'm glad they put it on t.v. so all these girls who don't have it can be safe and get the proper treatment so they don't have to go through what I have to go through every day of my life. I really wish I would have known about this when I was a teen, but it didn't technically exist back then. Since I didn't know anything about it till I already was diagnosed with it I've had Cervical dysplasia twice. Trust me it's NO fun. Also yes they do always test for it, and if your that worried then ask. Those are my thoughts, so thanks for listening.
That is my understanding, too. They are looking for abnormal cells first and foremost, as you know. And, then if the Pap results come back showing abnormal cells (don't know if they still call this ASCUS, which is an abbreviation)...anyway, they would eiter wait three months and then do another Pap test to see if the cells have returned to normal, or they could do a colposcopy, which is basically a procedure where they use a microscope of sorts to look inside the vagina...coat the vagina with vinegar which will cause any abnormalities to show up, then they would biopsy these and send the biopsy to the lab.
Depending on whether it comes back as either mild cervical dysplasia, moderate cervical dysplasia, severe cervical dysplasia, or cervical cancer, the doctor and the patient would discuss further treatment. In my case I had severe cervical dysplasia and the LEEP procedure was done a week after the results came back.It was after the coloposcopy was done that they could check to see if my problem was caused by HPV. In my case, HPV did not show up and the cause of my problem was unknown, although a hormonal embalance and estrogen dominance was suspected.
Dr. Christianne Northrup "The Wisdom of Menopause" does not recommend that people get their DNA tested to see if they are carriers for this virus since it is so common in the first place. A healthy immune system, low to no stress, and no smoking, plus healthful eating and exercise seemed to help women get rid of the virus when it has shown up in the cervical area.
Mary
Depending on whether it comes back as either mild cervical dysplasia, moderate cervical dysplasia, severe cervical dysplasia, or cervical cancer, the doctor and the patient would discuss further treatment. In my case I had severe cervical dysplasia and the LEEP procedure was done a week after the results came back.It was after the coloposcopy was done that they could check to see if my problem was caused by HPV. In my case, HPV did not show up and the cause of my problem was unknown, although a hormonal embalance and estrogen dominance was suspected.
Dr. Christianne Northrup "The Wisdom of Menopause" does not recommend that people get their DNA tested to see if they are carriers for this virus since it is so common in the first place. A healthy immune system, low to no stress, and no smoking, plus healthful eating and exercise seemed to help women get rid of the virus when it has shown up in the cervical area.
Mary
I was just curious - someone told me that when they do your annual pap test - they don't test for HPV unless you ask them to. Does anyone know if that's true?
To cite a source on this subject...The last time I visited Planned Parenthood in California their official stance was that no a woman does not need a pap smear every year if her last three were negative. I don't take offense with this issue because I believe that it is judging someone's lifestyle. What do I care if some stranger wants to judge me? Otherwise I wouldn't post on this website. I take issue with the fact that my insurance will not cover a physical, but will cover a pap smear. When I've inquired about this I've been told that it is because there is a legal liability issue with clinics issuing birth control without conducting a pap smear. If the medical and/or insurance industry cares so darn much about my health it should take care of a physical exam and not just a pap smear. So, yes indeed the pap smear seems FORCED when that's all a clinic or medical office is willing to provide.
Reference: Sawaya GF, McConnell J, Kulasingam SL, et al. Risk of Cervical Cancer Associated with Extending the Interval Between Cervical-Cancer Screenings. The New England Journal of Medicine.2003;349:1501-1509.
OK, I'm dropping the subject. Sorry for pestering the issue. I've just never been told to "Wake up," on medhelp before. This study was interesting though because it involved over 900,000 women.
OK, I'm dropping the subject. Sorry for pestering the issue. I've just never been told to "Wake up," on medhelp before. This study was interesting though because it involved over 900,000 women.
With all due respect...You wake up...I've had doctors tell me that yes indeed there is medical research that when a women has a series of negative pap smears there is no need for an annual pap smear. I've also read articles on the subject. I don't keep them around though, otherwise I'd send you one in the mail.
Well said, Mary.
If you don't get an annual Pap test, you are neglecting and risking your health unnecessarily. Even nuns get an annual Pap test! Why on earth would anyone NOT have a Pap test every year?
You can have cell changes that are not caused by the virus.
Wake up ladies. A Pap test takes seconds and can save your life, why would you put it off? We have enough stuff that can go wrong that we can't prevent. Cervical cancer is preventable.
If you don't get an annual Pap test, you are neglecting and risking your health unnecessarily. Even nuns get an annual Pap test! Why on earth would anyone NOT have a Pap test every year?
You can have cell changes that are not caused by the virus.
Wake up ladies. A Pap test takes seconds and can save your life, why would you put it off? We have enough stuff that can go wrong that we can't prevent. Cervical cancer is preventable.
I'm not sure what Brandy is saying. She would be offended if someone close to her they had hpv? If thats the case you are one shallow person. I agree to do some research before you go blabbing non sense.
All I was trying to say was that if someone close to me, that knew me and my life style, suggested that I be tested for HPV I would be offended. I have no problem with PAP spears, I have on every year. I don't enjoy them, but do it anyway. If you are trying to suggest that my husband is lying to me, then you better be careful. I have been married for over 7 yrs. and my husband is a minister. He has been honest with me regarding everything he did before we got married. So do not imply that he is lying. My husband is not like other men, he is GOD fearing and truly a blessing to me and my children. Hope this clears things up.
Or are you offended because doctors suggest you get a pap? How do you know your husband has only been with you? Because he tells you that. Oh okay, so don't have pap smears.
Forced Pap smears? Doctors are not judging anyone when they include a pap smear as part of a routine exam. I had my annual pap in October of 1996 and everything was fine. My annual pap the next year, Oct. of 97 showed abnormalties. Colposcopy showed severe cervical dysplasia. I think this info got buried in my long previous post. It scares me to even think what could have happened if I had waited the three months that the doc had recommended to see if the abnormalities would clear up.
I did not, nor did I ever, HPV. A possible hormonal imbalance is the probable cause although we will never know. Three years later I was dx with Ovarian Cancer. Still no HPV.
I recently sent condolences to a woman who lost her sister to Cervical cancer. The yearly exam is offered for a reason and not as an assumption on lifestyle...never did I even think of this, especially since I was monogamous with my spouse for 19 years at the time. Just celebrated our 26th this past summer.
I guess I am surprised that there is any controversy about the vaccine or the Pap test.
Mary
I did not, nor did I ever, HPV. A possible hormonal imbalance is the probable cause although we will never know. Three years later I was dx with Ovarian Cancer. Still no HPV.
I recently sent condolences to a woman who lost her sister to Cervical cancer. The yearly exam is offered for a reason and not as an assumption on lifestyle...never did I even think of this, especially since I was monogamous with my spouse for 19 years at the time. Just celebrated our 26th this past summer.
I guess I am surprised that there is any controversy about the vaccine or the Pap test.
Mary
I understand your point. I think your situation of having been only with your husband is not the norm though. I don't have a problem with the ads. I do however have a problem with pap smears being basically forced on me. I also have only been with my husband. I have known for years about HPV and how it causes cervical cancer. Fully understanding that, I feel that I should be able to go into the doctor's office and tell them that I am well informed, but do not wish to have a pap smear every single year. Some doctor's offices are understanding and claim that an annual isn't necessary, as the evidence indicates once every three years is OK if a woman has never had an unusual result. Others shut down and won't discuss contraception with me after that point and yet others have told me that even though I am monogamous my partner can still pass the virus to me without my knowledge.
I think the ads are a very good idea! Yes, you are right HPV is an STD, but maybe you should study some more on it. It is a virus that is so common it is etimated that something like 75% will have had it by the time they are in their 20's and 90% by the time they are in there 50's, but since it is a virus and it shows no signs most will not know they have had it b/c your body fights it off usually. But if you have an suppressed immune system for somereason, I have an autoimmune disorder (endometrosis), then your body is unable to fight it off, and it can cause cancer, not only cervical cancer, but other types of cancer as well.
If you are not informed and do not get regular paps then since there are no symptoms by the time you do find out it may be too late.
Before I started to have abnormal paps and get biopsys I knew none of this, when I researched it and found out how common it is I was really surprised at all the facts.
The commericals are awesome b/c the best thing is not ignorance, but to know the facts and be informed...
Of course if you want to turn a deaf ear and think the commericals are wrong, that being informed is not the best, then more power to ya...
I do however think you are your husband only being with eachother is awesome!
If you are not informed and do not get regular paps then since there are no symptoms by the time you do find out it may be too late.
Before I started to have abnormal paps and get biopsys I knew none of this, when I researched it and found out how common it is I was really surprised at all the facts.
The commericals are awesome b/c the best thing is not ignorance, but to know the facts and be informed...
Of course if you want to turn a deaf ear and think the commericals are wrong, that being informed is not the best, then more power to ya...
I do however think you are your husband only being with eachother is awesome!
Duh...I've got to start editing my posts better! Probably figured out that my first bad Pap came at age 45. Have to tell you that it hit me out of the blue. I also will say that I have more girlfriends who made appointments with their OB/GYN's after they heard of my ordeal. Word of mouth is a great way to get the word out!
After yearly testing by way of the PAP smear from age 22 to age 45, I had my first abnormal Pap report. I had the good fortune to have a friend who was married at the time to a doctor who worked as a consultant to the state on Ob/Gyn matters. He told me to insist on getting a colposcopy even though it was not recommended by my doctor. My doctor wanted me to wait three months and take the test again.
He said that the PAP test was the single most important test developed in the last century to help detect changes in the cervical tissue thus reducing deaths from cervical cancer since early diagnosis is so critical. His main goal was to mandate colposcopy's for every woman who has a questionable pap smear.
In my case, HPV was not implicated but I needed surgery none-the-less since the colposcopy report indicated severe cervical dysplasia, which is one step away from cervical cancer. I do recall my doctor calling with the results and her comment that she was "shocked" that it was as bad as it was...so quickly.
I know there is a big concern now that women may not go in for their annual pap smears since so much of the advertisement mentions one of the facts that is true about HPV and that it can be transmitted through sexual contact. However, it is a very common virus and studies in the 90's indicated that at least 50 percent of the normal adult population and 40 percent of children are estimated to show evidence of HPV infection. The vast majority of women who have been exposed to HPV do not develop any warts or cervical dysplasia. But, in others, HPV is associated with cervical cancer. There is also a connection between suppression of the immune sysytem as a result of chronic emotional or other stress that can lead to chages in immunity that allow increased virus production in the first place. I have often wondered if stress played a part in my diagnosis. The bad pap report came 9 months after the sudden death of my mother (who died in my arms).
There is also controversy in the OB/GYN literature as to whether HPV actually causes cervical dysplasia or whether the virus and the dysplasia are just in the same place at the same time. Yet, they have discovered several strains of HPV that are more virulent than others that do tend to be implicated in cervical cancer and other severe pap smear abnormalities. I am thinking that the vaccine that was developed must target these strains.
This is from the information that I have available to me at this time. But, I recall almost memorizing it when my first bad Pap came back. In my case, I had three more bad Pap results although there were no further problems with actual dysplasia.
My experience made me even more aware of changes in my body, so that when I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer two and a half years later, I was very confident that it was caught very early, which it was. I still go in for annual Pap smears since vaginal cancer is something that I do not want to worry about.
The HPV virus can be dormant for years and evidence of it can be seen on old slides of Pap smears from the 60's according to one report I was reading. There was one woman who discovered she had the HPV virus at age 83 and she had been in the same relationship for 25 years and from what I can tell, it was monogamous on both sides.
I think that the ads are helpful and harmful at the same time. I noticed that they just recently changed the ads to include that you still needed to visit your doctor once a year even if you choose to get the vaccine. And, since there is so much in medical science that is still not completely understood, why not get vaccinated even if the plan (and hope) is to remain monogamous. My 21 year old daughter's good friend is getting the vaccine. Her Dad is insistent. He is a doctor at the local University. He feels it is an important part of proactive healthcare regardless of the type of sexual life his daughter pursues.
Well, just wanted to add my thoughts on this. Just some things to think about. I am trying to look at this as a health issue and not a lifestyle issue.
Take care everyone, Mary
He said that the PAP test was the single most important test developed in the last century to help detect changes in the cervical tissue thus reducing deaths from cervical cancer since early diagnosis is so critical. His main goal was to mandate colposcopy's for every woman who has a questionable pap smear.
In my case, HPV was not implicated but I needed surgery none-the-less since the colposcopy report indicated severe cervical dysplasia, which is one step away from cervical cancer. I do recall my doctor calling with the results and her comment that she was "shocked" that it was as bad as it was...so quickly.
I know there is a big concern now that women may not go in for their annual pap smears since so much of the advertisement mentions one of the facts that is true about HPV and that it can be transmitted through sexual contact. However, it is a very common virus and studies in the 90's indicated that at least 50 percent of the normal adult population and 40 percent of children are estimated to show evidence of HPV infection. The vast majority of women who have been exposed to HPV do not develop any warts or cervical dysplasia. But, in others, HPV is associated with cervical cancer. There is also a connection between suppression of the immune sysytem as a result of chronic emotional or other stress that can lead to chages in immunity that allow increased virus production in the first place. I have often wondered if stress played a part in my diagnosis. The bad pap report came 9 months after the sudden death of my mother (who died in my arms).
There is also controversy in the OB/GYN literature as to whether HPV actually causes cervical dysplasia or whether the virus and the dysplasia are just in the same place at the same time. Yet, they have discovered several strains of HPV that are more virulent than others that do tend to be implicated in cervical cancer and other severe pap smear abnormalities. I am thinking that the vaccine that was developed must target these strains.
This is from the information that I have available to me at this time. But, I recall almost memorizing it when my first bad Pap came back. In my case, I had three more bad Pap results although there were no further problems with actual dysplasia.
My experience made me even more aware of changes in my body, so that when I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer two and a half years later, I was very confident that it was caught very early, which it was. I still go in for annual Pap smears since vaginal cancer is something that I do not want to worry about.
The HPV virus can be dormant for years and evidence of it can be seen on old slides of Pap smears from the 60's according to one report I was reading. There was one woman who discovered she had the HPV virus at age 83 and she had been in the same relationship for 25 years and from what I can tell, it was monogamous on both sides.
I think that the ads are helpful and harmful at the same time. I noticed that they just recently changed the ads to include that you still needed to visit your doctor once a year even if you choose to get the vaccine. And, since there is so much in medical science that is still not completely understood, why not get vaccinated even if the plan (and hope) is to remain monogamous. My 21 year old daughter's good friend is getting the vaccine. Her Dad is insistent. He is a doctor at the local University. He feels it is an important part of proactive healthcare regardless of the type of sexual life his daughter pursues.
Well, just wanted to add my thoughts on this. Just some things to think about. I am trying to look at this as a health issue and not a lifestyle issue.
Take care everyone, Mary
My personal opinion is that it is a valid point to get out there. A lot of women don't know that they could have a disease if they have no symptoms, so they don't have annual check-ups, thus allowing HPV to "flare up" and potentially lead to cancer. I support the advertisements because I think people should know that you can have a disease with no symptoms. I hope that it encourages people to get to the doctor and get checked out.
I think it is incredible that you and your husband have each only been with the other person. I truly find that very noble. Have a wonderful holiday season! Best wishes!
I think it is incredible that you and your husband have each only been with the other person. I truly find that very noble. Have a wonderful holiday season! Best wishes!
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