Ethical HPV question

[R_Soul]

Before I broke up with my last girlfriend, she received an abnormal pap smear result. No confirmation of HPV, just that it was abnormal and she would have to go in for a follow up. We broke up before her follow up, so I don't know the result of the second test (and we're not on terms where she would be willing to tell me if I did ask).

So now I'm kind of at a loss for what to do... do I assume I'm an HPV carrier and explain the situation to the next woman I date? I want to do the ethical thing here, but I'm worried that being honest when I don't know the specifics of what the actual cause of the test result was could potentially scare off a lot of girls. What do you all think?

[Lee0527]

The adult thing to do is to talk to your ex. Even if you left on bad terms, it's your right and responsibility to know about your sexual health. You'll leave more women hating you in the future if you infect them all with HPV, so be smart about it and ask the question.

Even though it's a very common STD since most of the risks are on the women's side, and the most dangerous strains are the ones that don't show symptoms, you should take the initiative to protect your future partners.

[R_Soul]

Does anyone else have any thoughts, or does Alex's answer seem appropriate to everyone else?

[alexdelong]

You really have nothing to tell. HPV is so common that your situation isn't much different from anybody else's.