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HPV in men
I am BEYOND confused because very little of the information I've found on-line related to HPV seems to focus very much on HPV in men…particularly gay men.
I will share my story and perhaps someone may have some answers for me.
About two months ago, I noticed a small bump (what looked like a skin tag) on the outside of my anus. I made an immediate appointment with the doctor and was bluntly told that I had a minor case of genital warts. I was shocked as I’ve only slept with three people (I’m 24) and all have been in long-term monogomous relationships. The few external lesions were frozen by cryosurgery and I was told to use Aldera which worked wonderfully, but was unfortunately VERY painful as it makes sitting and walking pretty uncomfortable when applied in that area.. Luckily, I am currently visually free of GW.
However, I expressed concern to my doctor that I feared I may also have GW inside my anus, so I was sent to consult a surgeon. Upon inspection, he noticed two lesions and said that I’d need to go under anesthesia to remove the internal warts as they can multiply and in some men (predominantly gay men who seem to suffer most from anal warts), it can cause problems when going to the bathroom etc...
After the anal surgery (and a very painful recovery) I was told at my follow-up visit that the surgery had been more extensive than the surgeon had anticipated. After analysis of the removed tissue, I was told that I had had anal dysplasia…a possibly pre-cancerous condition (?!). Luckily it was caught early. Still, I have to go to constant check-ups and have anal pap smears...on some sort of regular basis...I haven't even been told exactly how it'll work yet.
I have never shown any symptoms on my penis, luckilly. Or in my throat. I've been with one girl (three years), and two guys (4 months and 9 months). All have been told and none have shown symptoms.
Still, no matter what peace of mind I try to find, all the doctors contradict one another.
I have been left so very confused by it all.
Is it possible that I can clear the VIRUS? I don’t mean the symptoms (as I’m aware that they often go away on their own), but the VIRUS itself, the VIRUS that causes these symptoms. Might there be a time that I’m not contagious? Women with cervical dysplasia seem to clear it up in 6 months-3 years. What’s the information on men (or women, for that matter) with anal dysplasia? Is it entirely different? Or does this same timeframe apply to men? My doctor said I wouldn’t benefit from the HPV vaccine and yet I have read it’d be smart even for those infected to get it as it can prevent you from getting others. Some say it can prevent you from becoming re-infected with the same strain while others say that you cannot be re-infected with the same strain (ie...couples sharing an infection to not ping pong the virus back and forth).
I’m afraid to touch myself, let alone let anyone near me. I’ve had to see a counselor just to deal. My dating/sex life seems ruined. I don't even know how or where to begin with that. I went on a few dates with someone who, after having stupidly told his mother, was asked why he would "want to walk around with a disease?"
I know that this post may be full of misguided or untrue statements, but I am not here to defend them, but to learn and hopefully get some straight-up answers.
Please help.
I will share my story and perhaps someone may have some answers for me.
About two months ago, I noticed a small bump (what looked like a skin tag) on the outside of my anus. I made an immediate appointment with the doctor and was bluntly told that I had a minor case of genital warts. I was shocked as I’ve only slept with three people (I’m 24) and all have been in long-term monogomous relationships. The few external lesions were frozen by cryosurgery and I was told to use Aldera which worked wonderfully, but was unfortunately VERY painful as it makes sitting and walking pretty uncomfortable when applied in that area.. Luckily, I am currently visually free of GW.
However, I expressed concern to my doctor that I feared I may also have GW inside my anus, so I was sent to consult a surgeon. Upon inspection, he noticed two lesions and said that I’d need to go under anesthesia to remove the internal warts as they can multiply and in some men (predominantly gay men who seem to suffer most from anal warts), it can cause problems when going to the bathroom etc...
After the anal surgery (and a very painful recovery) I was told at my follow-up visit that the surgery had been more extensive than the surgeon had anticipated. After analysis of the removed tissue, I was told that I had had anal dysplasia…a possibly pre-cancerous condition (?!). Luckily it was caught early. Still, I have to go to constant check-ups and have anal pap smears...on some sort of regular basis...I haven't even been told exactly how it'll work yet.
I have never shown any symptoms on my penis, luckilly. Or in my throat. I've been with one girl (three years), and two guys (4 months and 9 months). All have been told and none have shown symptoms.
Still, no matter what peace of mind I try to find, all the doctors contradict one another.
I have been left so very confused by it all.
Is it possible that I can clear the VIRUS? I don’t mean the symptoms (as I’m aware that they often go away on their own), but the VIRUS itself, the VIRUS that causes these symptoms. Might there be a time that I’m not contagious? Women with cervical dysplasia seem to clear it up in 6 months-3 years. What’s the information on men (or women, for that matter) with anal dysplasia? Is it entirely different? Or does this same timeframe apply to men? My doctor said I wouldn’t benefit from the HPV vaccine and yet I have read it’d be smart even for those infected to get it as it can prevent you from getting others. Some say it can prevent you from becoming re-infected with the same strain while others say that you cannot be re-infected with the same strain (ie...couples sharing an infection to not ping pong the virus back and forth).
I’m afraid to touch myself, let alone let anyone near me. I’ve had to see a counselor just to deal. My dating/sex life seems ruined. I don't even know how or where to begin with that. I went on a few dates with someone who, after having stupidly told his mother, was asked why he would "want to walk around with a disease?"
I know that this post may be full of misguided or untrue statements, but I am not here to defend them, but to learn and hopefully get some straight-up answers.
Please help.
Thank you :) Your response means a lot to me.
Clearing the virus just means that it's suppressed by your immune system..unable to be transmitted..usually happens in the majority of ppl from 6 months to 2 yrs. Once it's in your system it's ALWAYS there..the best way to help suppress it is to reduce stress/no smoking or drinking/eat healthy (dark leafy greens/fruits)/drink green tea..I started taking Papllex on Oct.16th of '09 after hearing about it from other HPV ppl on other support sites..it's a natural suplement that contains items that have been shown to boost/support the immune system. you could benefit from the vaccine since it can protect you from getting other starins that you may have not gotten yet (low risk 6 and 11 and high 16 and 18)..most docs don't do strain specific tests..so unless your doc knows that you have the four most common strains of HPV..I WOULD GET THE VACCINE!! It won't protect you against what you already have..and you can't be reinfected w/ the same strain OR ping pong it back and forth..we all feel weird/dirty/etc when we first learn we have HPV ..you'll get better and you'll find someon mature and compassionate enough not to jusge!
You are reading content posted in the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Community
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
