Why do so many people think HPV is no big deal?

[WGN2017]

The most frustrating thing I find online are "the HPV is no big deal" posts. It's more than frustrating, it's simultaneously infuriating and utterly depressing. HPV has ruined my life. Someone needs to be saying this so the damn medical community will do more to address this epidemic. I mean there still isn't an FDA-approved HPV test for males?!? WTF, it's 2017!

I was diagnosed with genital warts over a year ago. After prescription creams and home remedies failed, I had them burned off with acid. That worked, however my partner of 8 years still contracted anal warts either from unprotected sex we had before I realized I had the warts or from unprotected sex we had after the warts were removed. Do you know how awful and painful it is to remove anal warts? Invasive surgery...it's bad. Because we now know that there is no way to know if the virus still lingers after the warts are gone, he has said he will never have unprotected sex with me again. That is devastating to me that I will never again be able to have that level of intimacy with him (or any future partner). For me, unprotected sex is one of the most intimate acts and greatest benefits of a long term committed relationship. This damn virus has robbed me of that forever. And before anyone comments and says yes you can have unprotected sex again, you are fooling yourself. There is no way to know if the virus still lingers regardless of how long you have been wart-free. And I am not putting my partner through that awful surgery again if at all possible.

HPV keeps me up at night, it has driven a wedge in my relationship, it has cost me and my partner thousands of dollars in medical expenses, and it all-around has significantly decreased my quality of life more than any other medical condition I've ever had. But the internet is clamoring to declare that "it's no big deal". Yes it definitely is...and no one seems to be doing anything about it.

[anon7600]

I'm sorry this has caused you so much heart ache, stress and money. I know how you feel. I am so frustrated with this disease because there are so many variables. They keep saying "everyone has it" but I don't feel it because when I tell someone about HPV they barely know anything about it.

The medical community has figured out the vaccine & removing the warts and tumors/cancerous cells, but nothing for a cure of the actual virus, for people living with it waiting for it to strike.

It has been a few months since you posted - how is everything going? Have things gotten better? Life has a way of moving on, so just wondering how you are coping.

[veryworried420]

Your former partner made a decision based on surgery pain and medical costs. However, your partner and you share the same strain(s) and you two are the only two people in the world who can have unsafe sex with each other for the rest of your lives without infecting others with the strain(s) you have. In my opinion, this was the wrong decision. Esp if he was the carrier and had sex with others before you.

Yes, the medical community has not done enough for this virus. Not having a test for men sucks. Not having a vaccine for people over 26 is bad. Not having a FA approved tested oral HPV is terrible. Not knowing how long people will be infectious is very wrong. This isn't because they aren't trying. With so many infected, there are billion$ to make.

Nearly everyone has it. Even doctors who went thru college and med school while sleeping with multiple partners. It's not that people don't think it is no big deal. There is just nothing one can do besides never having sex pre-marriage, staying monogamous in marriage and never getting divorced or go thru a death of a spouse. It is an epidemic and it is leading to an increase in cancers that can kill but for the majority of people it is harmless based on what doctors know now. It is possible that their beliefs may change 20 years from now but this is an unknown.

Sorry it has caused you so much stress and sorrow.