lesbian sex and hpv

[geeky]

I was recently diagnosed with high-risk hpv (through an abnormal pap) and at the same time the doctor noticed external signs of low-risk hpv which has now developed into a case a full-blown genital warts.  I have talked extensively with my doctor and have done numerous web searches and have been unable to find an answer to my questions regarding this...

I am a woman who has exclusively had sex with women for the last 13 years.  I do not share toys.  I do not engage in genital to genital rubbing.  I am careful to avoid exchanging fluids at all.  I do not typically use gloves and dental dams, but from what I understand condoms are not proven to prevent the spread of hpv in heterosexuals, so I don't see how gloves and dental dams would prevent it either.

My question is how did I contract this?  How can I prevent spreading it (right now I'm just too scared of my own body to have sex)?  How can I prevent contracting hpv in the future?

If I could simply understand how I got it, I think I'd feel better.  Right now I'm just getting the same answers over and over which basically amount to "we don't really know how lesbians spread it" and "the only prevention is abstinence".. These answers don't work for me...

Does anyone know anything about lesbian sex and hpv?

[camon57]

I'm so sorry to here that. I have HPV and have found a wonderful woman who hasn't turned away because of it..

If she can't stay with you because of the HPV then she is not worthy of you.

[mnmidan2020]

I am a woman who has cervical cancer. Lately it has been progressing. But aside that I'm in a relationship with someone who has been disgnosed with HPV. We are at a stage where she is completly turned off by me. I have tried everything to keep her attracted to me but nothing works. I write this blog in tears, praying for a response.

[ibizan]

u make very good points...i do not see my description of it as a deterrent to others....(.i realize my presentation is strong...that is just a part of my personality)i've had quite a few women here email me privately who were scared reading about it off the net or had totally wrong assumptions about itthey got thru it just fine.I wasn't scared of it at all....i didn't even feel the anesthetic,it was over with in 20 minutes....and my doc said i handled it like a champ!Any one man or woman who neglects their health or a procedure because of fear suffers from...and this may be a strong word but i see it a lot...a form of ignorance/magical thinking about their bodies that things will just go away!I see this a lot on a daily basis having worked in the substance/abuse field for 23 years and am known to say things in order to get ppl to wake up!

[BigBirdinAL]

You are right.....all women should have PAPS on a regular basis.  I am single, heterosexual, and have have multiple (though not a lot) of sex partners.
I have had two episodes of dysplasia requiring surgical intervention One Co2 laser ablation and one LEEP)  and three coloposcopies--and have NEVER been diagnosed with HPV!  So, there are reasons other than HPV for needing to have the PAPS done.

I think your desire to help steer young women away from multiple sex partners and unprotected sex is admirable, however, I do feel that educating them to the dangers that lurk is the most responsible path to take.  HPV can be dangerous if left undetected and thus untreated. HIV is even more dangerous!  Herpes is another real danger...along with
Syphillis, Gonorrhea, Chlymadia and a host of other STD's that can lead to infertility and life long problems. I do think it is wise to encourage young women (and women of all ages) to be proactive in their health care and to obtain regular routine screenings and to see their health care provider with any concerns.  I do not think it is healthy to paint a picture of a potentially life saving procedure as something that is bad or so unpleasant as to discourage those who may be considering it and may be putting it off because of fear.
I think that you and I do see a lot alike in this issue but we are very different in our presentation of it.  As I said before, I do work in the health care field and I do see all sides of this--my side, your side and the outsiders side.....and one of my responsibilities in my job is to educate patients on what procedures they will be having done, what they will go through and what they can expect after the fact.  Often I deal with patients that have been told the "horror" stories and it takes extra work to make them feel comfortable with what is going to happen to them while in the care of others.  
I am very thankful that I have a gynecologist who understood my fears and concerns about the LEEP procedure and who took the time to allay my fears by explaining carefully and fully what would happen to me. He did not candy coat anything and he did not overstate anything.  He laid the facts out before me and allowed me time to ask any questions that I had.  The day of the procedure, he asked how I was and when I told him nervous--he asked what he could do to help reassure me prior to starting the procedure.
My biggest fear was of the injection to deaden the cervix and as I said in a previous post,
I NEVER FELT THE INJECTION.  That speaks highly of my physicians ability and I also had trust in him that he would be as gentle as possible.
Again **MY** take on LEEP is that is is not a painful procedure--I had mine done with a local anesthetic in the doctor's office and the after effects were no worse than a normal period--(cramping and bleeding) although they did last longer.

[ibizan]

i am a writer...get descriptive..and i used that graphic description of it for it is what happens....and i approached it in a relaxed state......but when i read the doctors stating don't let HPV keep u from having an active sex life.....if ur not in a monogomous relationship and no decent prospects out there....its a challenging world....then it is SCARY stuff to know how easy it would be to get this again!so easy for them to say enjoy urself just use condoms!i'm 2 old and have gone thru 2 much for that!!and i'm one of the older crowd of women who is really saying YES to abstinence!if my descriptions put some fear in2 some young women that might not be a bad thing in one aspect.....for i c many young women out there with multiple partners sometimes using condoms and after they get something they freak!if u google LEEP procedure u will see a similiar description to what i describe/not as graphic:)......and this forum helps with young women who have to get it posting freaking out and those of us who've had it guiding them thru it/allaying their fears..if sexually active young women ignore paps they r so foolish any woman not having paps is foolish.....and i c that on a daily basis!even after removal of cervix/complete histo woman can still get HPV..it lives on the vaginal walls.One woman posted here who had it this way...she never posted back what the medical treatment was that received.I have a friend whose had a complete histo and broke off with a boyfriend who was cheating on her with a load of ppl.....men and women and she is scared....i emailed moderator of ashastd.org forum and asked him if women with complete histos can get HPV and his reply was most definitely....may take longer to show up on the vaginal walls than on the cervix.thank u for ur wishes.....i have had 3 clean paps post LEEP now...#4 will take place 8-08 and if that is clear i can go once a year.i can't b re-xposed to anew strain for no sex......and i know that it will take me a long time to even get interested in having a relationship and hardest part...TRUSTING someone again.....and that person will be a good person....honest.....for i will do all i can not to go thru this again.I hope younger women read this and other posts and make wise decisions with their choice of partners and health!best 2 u 2!:)))

[BigBirdinAL]

I apologize, I thought from reading your post and the following quote, that you were implying you had a bad experience with your LEEP procedure.

"Well u go have a LEEP surgery and have an 18 copper rod up ur vagina with elctricity shooting thru it burning  off a chunk of ur cervix and see what u think after that!"

I apparently misread the statement.

While I do think it is important to present all aspects of a paraticular procedure, it does concern me when only the negative side is shown.  My concern is that while most people will move forward with treatment and indicated and recommended by their practicioner, there are some who will be frightened by the descriptions and my choose to ignore their health situation and allow it to progress to a much worse state.
Especially younger women who may not have a strong family/friend support system.
Fear can do a lot!

While the cramping is uncomfortable after the procedure, *I* found it to be no worse than that which accompanies a regular period. And I understand the discomfort of wearing a pad for an extended period of time...for me it was EIGHT weeks. The cramping did not last that entire time and it was NEVER anything that two Advil Liquid Gel Capsules could not control.  At no time after the procedure did I ever need a pain medication any stronger than Advil.

I am POSITIVE that I would much rather undergo a LEEP procedure any day than to face the consequences of a diagnosis such as Cervical Cancer should I choose to shy away from it and let the dysplasia progress.

The cost is expensive. Like you, I was fortunate enough to have good health care coverage. From my first visit and pap, through the colposcopy, biopsies and then the Leep Surgery and biopsies and my post procedure follow up care, the total cost OUT OF POCKET to me was $25.00 !  I did see the bills however, and you are right--the cost if I had not had insurance would have been in the $3000.00 range.  Still a lot cheaper than fighting cancer......

I am now looking at repeat paps every six months for a minimum of five years---I am of the opinion that since I am past the point of wanting to have children, should there be a recurrence of this, I will request that a hysterectomy--including removal of the cervix be done and then removed all fears!

I wish you the best and  hope that your problems have been fixed and that you don't have to deal with this again in the future.

[ibizan]

My LEEP was not a painful bad xperience....the cramping that came a week after and the discharge was  i was told normal......lasted a month....and i hated wearing pads for a month....but my doctor was good...very good!i just shake my head when i see doctors and others saying having high risk HPV is no big deal....i know its all to common...but the whole procedure i don't think many men could handle..yes some will call me a female misogynist but we women bear the brunt of this virus not the men... and what do women with no insurance do when they need a LEEP?The entire ordeal with colp biopsy follow up paps and surgery costs THOUSANDS of dollars and i am so glad i have good health care insurance!so fortunate!so it was/is a big deal to me......so if u haven't had a LEEP ladies...don't say its not a big deal and common cuz it is a inconvenience and again THOUSANDS of $$$$$ if u don't have insurance.....these women must be SOL!Ok i'm done ranting!:))))

[BigBirdinAL]

I read with interest a lot of your post because you seem to have some good information to offer.  It is concerning though that you had such a bad experience with your LEEP procedure. I recently had the LEEP procedure and had a total opposite experience from yours.
I did not test positive for HPV. Apparently I am just prone to cervical dysplasia. I have had a history of a siimilar situation 12 years ago where I had to have colposcopy and biopsies which was followed with a Co2 Cervical ablation. All normal paps following the procedure for about 8 years then  BAM! I started getting the ASC-US pap results again. After colposcopy at that time, I was advised to watch carefully for a period of time. About two years later, I developed a moderate dysplasia and was again advised to go for colposcopy number three!  Results from that colop indicated CIN II with High Grade Lesion and LEEP was recommended.  My doctor offered the option of the LEEP being done in the hospital with anesthesia or in his office with a local anesthetic to the cervix.
Realizing that anesthesia always poses one of the greatest risk with surgery and after a good conversation with my gynecologist, I opted to have the leep done in office with a local for pain control. I could not be happier with that decision.  On the day of the procedure, my gynecologist had me take a Xanax prior to arriving at the office. I was placed in the room by a nurse who had me sign my permits and get ready.  When the doctor came in, whe had a brief discussion and I told him that my greatest fear was that of the injection to deaden the cervix. He assured me he would be as gentle as possible.
As all of you who have had LEEP are aware ---they must basically go through the same prep as for the colposcopy in painting and preparing the cervix. My doctor was doing this and when he finished that I asked if he could please go ahead with the injection so that I could quit stressing over it....he said..."that is what I just did."  I can honestly say that I did not even feel the injection being done!  The rest of the procedure was pain free as well. I did have some minor cramping and that was it.  I had read horror stories of the smell of burning flesh and pain, but my experience did not include any of that. I think the speculum had a device on it to suction the smoke away into a container to avoid that smell. After the procedure was complete, I asked the doctor to show me the tissue that he had removed and we had a good discussion about after care.  I had minimal spotting for the first few days and then developed some bleeding that lasted a couple of weeks.
I went back for a follow up visit at three weeks post procedure and all was well.  The spotting continued for a while longer but never anything unmanageable and nothing more than cramps that were controlledl by ADVIL Liqui-Gel  Caps.
I understand that a lot of the expeirience for the LEEP does depend on the individual and their perceptions and pain tolerance levels. I also understand that a LOT depends on the skills level, kindness and compassion of the practicioner.  I am fortunate that I have a good pain tolerance and even more fortunate that I had a gynecologist who was very patient and gentle in his processes.
While I wold not want to undergo LEEP again, I certainly would not be afraid to do so and would not be as apprehensive about it, having had the experience I did this time.
Hopefully.....this will fix my problem and I will not have recurrent abnormal paps. I am thinking any more of this and I may ask for a Hysterectomy.  I am well past child bearing age and I see no need to keep these parts if they are going to be troublesome.
It frightens me to think that my body just produces the dysplasia without cause.....I have asked that he continue to test for HPV---but for the 12 plus years I have dealt with a dysplasia, I have been negative each time.
I am sorry that your experience was a negative on, but hopefully should you ever have the need to go through this again, you will find a practicioner that can make it a better experience for you as well.

[empathy60]

Unfortunately, there is little information on same sex (particularly lesbian) transmission of HPV.  From the ASHA:

"Certainly, penile-vaginal sex can pass the virus along from one partner to another, but HPV can be passed through other forms of skin-to-skin contact as well.

The most recent evidence for this comes from a study under way at the University of Washington, which has found a number of genital HPV infections among lesbian women--even in some women who had never had sex with a man. Genital HPV in lesbians has not yet been extensively studied, but researchers suspect the prevalence rates will be lower than among heterosexuals.

Even so, the rates will not be low enough to rule out the risk of cervical cancer altogether, so a regularly scheduled Pap smear is a smart health measure for gay and straight women alike."

My doctor told me of a case of a virgin with genital warts where he believed fingers to be the culprit for her infection (though this is rare it is theoretically possible).  HPV is just highly contagious, and regardless of one's sexual preference, no one is entirely safe.  Sorry I couldn't help more, hopefully new information will be available soon enough.

[empathy60]

HPV is not transmitted through cold sores.  Cold sores are HSV1 (herpes).  If your partner was diagnosed as having HSV1 genitally, she has herpes, not HPV.  HPV is an entirely separate virus from HSV.  If she has HPV in conjunction with this, she acquired this differently- not through a cold sore.

Also, HPV is associated with different ethics than HSV infection.  After a certain period of time, it is the infected individual's choice about whether or not to disclose, due to the fact that the virus becomes virtually impossible to transmit to future partners.  No HPV infection persists forever.  Some choose to disclose, some don't.  No particular decision is the "right" one, it is up to the individual.

[ibizan]

hpv isn't passed by cold sores.yes it is common and one does need to be aware and honest with future partners.....mongomy is a good idea...does ur partner have low risk ie warts?or the high risk?u saw my descrip of the LEEP procedure....i don't want another one...i'm lucky i had health care insurance.....they procedure alone was 2 grand not counting colps biopsies and follow up paps.i chuckle when teh docs say yeah don't let this stop u from having an active sex life,use those condoms and **** away....go thru a LEEP and see how ya like that!:)))))

[jaide987]

Hi there, im a lesbian and my partner has HPV, i dont think its something to be really scared of, you just need to be aware of any kind of flare ups that may happen, my parter got this just because her ex had a cold sore and did not tell her so it is quite easy to pass on but i have been with my partner now for nearly a year and i have not got it, the key is to be honest with future partners and just be aware!!

[ibizan]

i'm not a lesbian but hpv is hpv!there is no way to 100% prevent the transmission of body fluids during sex and if u've been with a lot of women and they've been with a lot of others.....well u know the rest of the story!Condoms in heteros only prevent the spread 60-90%..... uncovered penises are the main culprits in delivering hpv to  cervixes.HPV lives in the skin..there is no way to ever prevent it happening again......they tell us heteros to use condoms and thats the best we can do!One doctor stated HPV is an inconvenience to women but that we shouldn't let it ruin our lives.Well u go have a LEEP surgery and have an 18 copper rod up ur vagina with elctricity shooting thru it burning  off a chunk of ur cervix and see what u think after that!Sex is not a sport to me,never was....and i've been celibate since 9-06 and its probly gonna stay that way for a long time.I'm 52 and my pickings for decent men are slim.it has been hypothesized that HPV can live under fingernails,and can be transmitted simply thru skin..the more partners u have and with women u've been with who've had partners u know nothing about the liklihood is high of ppl infecting ppl.It is a tricky highly spreadable virus....and when u have sex u take the risk of getting it!I would imagine more easily spread in the gals with oral sex....there is a xchange of body fluids there......it is a dilemma for the sexually active.this is a good website....www.ashastd.org..they have a message board where u can post questions and probably more there on the lesbian thing.The docs under Experts Forum here reccomend it....most reliable info.minus hysteria and misinformation...and so much of it abounds on HPV.