Weblog

Hey all. Well I went in for my Colposcopy and Biopsy Thursday. I was
sooo not wanting to go, but I guess I didn't have much of a choice
lol. The medical assistant at the clinic gave me a Motrin 800 about
a half hour before the 'procedure' started and sat me down and
explained everything that was about to happen. The room I went in
had a little TV monitor in it so the doctor (and me) could see a
magnified live video of my cervix. I only watched at some points,
cause wow sometimes it was not a pretty site lol. The doctor did a
total of THREE biopsies on me (ow!). Two were on the surface of my
cervix, and one was in my endocervical canal (the canal that goes up
from the center of the cervix towards the uterus but doesnt go all
the way up). When the doc was done, she had a hard time stopping the
bleeding from that last one but eventually she did. I've been
resting a lot since then since I'm sore, and haven't gone back to
work yet. I know some people go back to work within a couple days,
but I guess I'm just real sensitive to pain or something :( At my
job I dont get to sit down at all for 8 hours straight with no
breaks, so I just can't do it yet. Well anyways, I should get my
results some time this coming week. If it's bad I have no idea what
I'm gonna do, since it would mess up my military career plans... But
hopefully everything will be ok...
-Barbara

I've heard of a lot of people having the 'tingle' or sometimes an
itchy feeling before a breakout, and sometimes just randomly and at
night. I don't know what causes it, but I get it sometimes too. I'm
not sure what you're supposed to use for it... maybe someone else can
help out with that one..? :) I would try whatever cream your doctor
prescribes for the warts though.
-Barbara

I've already apologized. I'll say it again: "SORRY" if I offended
anyone with my factual CDC rant and link postings, I've seen some
people with HPV be driven to near suicide with some of the bogus

Neeno,
You are one of the reasons I'm glad I've stayed with
this group, even if I'm usually quiet. You sound much
happier and I'm sure life will only get better for
you.
peace and love and special Mother's Day hugs for the
moms(especially Peachy!)
Julie

Hey everyone Neeno here, As most of you know Im a 15 African American
female from Philly. I took someones advice and contacted a free
clinic
and found out my treatment was free because im young and a phila.
resident. I thank everyone who has and continues to support me keep
up
the good work. I'll keep you all updated on whats going on with me.
I
can honestly say I love everyone of you like my own parent I thank
you
again for your support.

I believe you've ground your ax into dust. Your
repeated postings won't assuage the genuine fear,
stress, and pain HPV causes in some of our group
members, some of whom are very young. Lifetime
virus or not, we are all here for moral support.
Either be a productive part of that or go elsewhere
with your agenda.
J. Calderon

Hi, thanks for you words and experience. I am just presenting facts,
HPV has been blown way out of proportion, most Americans will get it
(70%) and it's a transient virus most of the time, of course for
those few who don't it's not pleasant. I'm sorry that I have put off
a lot of people, but I had to go on a rage to get my point through.
Here is a re-post of the facts, don't let anyone tell you you are
doomed for life, and don't let anyone shove their political or
religious idealogy down your throat just because you have a
contagious wart the size of a zit or have some abnormal cells on your
cervix which can be fully treated, most of the time:
"Experts no longer think that HPV is a chronic lifetime virus. HPV
infections of the anogenital tract are usually transient and cleared
to undetectable levels in short duration. Low-risk HPV infections
spontaneously clear more readily than high-risk types."
www.advancefornp.com/common/editorial/PrintFriendly.aspx?CC=7415
"A large proportion of the women who were HPV-positive appeared to
have cleared the infection after one year."
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=143547
"The majority of folks who get HPV infected (human papilloma virus,
wart virus) will actually ELIMINATE the virus completely from the
body. These studies were performed in college woman in which it was
shown that many got HPV infected and then cleared the infection.
However, some folks will just suppress the virus so that the HPV
genes are still in the cell.
www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/Cancer/Archive/cervical/Q145923.html
"Most people (up to 90%) who test positive for HPV with very
sensitive tests for HPV (polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and Hybrid
Capture® II) will become HPV negative on the same tests within 6-24
months from first testing positive. This is due to an effective
immune response to HPV."
http://www.arhp.org/healthcareproviders/onlinepublications/clinicalpro
ceedings/cc_introduction.cfm?ID=95#
"In almost all cases, the immune system will keep the HPV virus
(including the cancer-related HPV types) under control or get rid of
it completely."
http://www.ashastd.org/hpvccrc/
"Studies have shown that 70% of new HPV infections clear within one
year, as many a 91% clear within two years. The median duration of
new infections is typically eight months"
http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/2004HPV%20Report.pdf
"My practical take-home message is that after several months with no
wart recurrence normal pap, the person can consider him/herself
cured; this is practically true if not always biologically true. Such
persons probably transmit HPV to future partners rarely, if ever.
Accordingly, I do not consider it ethically mandatory, or even
recommended, that every person who ever has had HPV must henceforth
and forever tell future partners they once were infected. There has
been too much hype about HPV and its dangers. Catching HPV is normal,
it happens to almost all of us. Don't lose sleep over it."
"Bottom line: Although HPV can persist, in most persons the most
infections are controlled by the immune system and most experts
believe they are truly cured. For "quick and dirty" responses by
clinicians like me, the evidence is good enough to say "cure" and to
reassure our patients accordingly"
H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Professor of Medicine at the University
of Washington and Visiting Scientist at the Division of STD
Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/STD/messages/C281-5.html
http://books.mcgraw-hill.com/getbook.php?
isbn=0070260338&template=medical
"Surgical treatment of dysplasia usually results in clearance of HPV
infection within 3 months"
http://www.greenjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/100/5/965
"Most HPV infections resolve within 6 months and many women develop
immunity."
http://www.womenshealthchannel.com/cervicaldysplasia/index.shtml
"The fact is that the vast majority of women who are infected with
HPV never get dysplasia"
http://www.baymoon.com/~hpvinfo/library/weekly/aa050101a.htm
"The average duration of HPV infection was eight months. Repeated HPV
DNA testing showed that seventy percent of the women cleared their
HPV infections within one year through the natural immune process,
and only nine percent continued to be infected after two years.
Another study conducted in Sweden supported these findings, with a
five-year clearance rate of 92 percent"
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/library/sti/011120_hpv.html
Current treatment protocols allow a 95% cure rate by easily
applicable outpatient treatment modalities.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?
cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1330920&dopt=Abstract
"On one hand, this infection is more often than not transient and
asymptomatic and induces an effective immunity which allows the
infection cure; This clearance is the consequence of host immunity
intervention which leads to spontaneous regression of infection and
of the overwhelming majority of low grade squamous intraepithelial
lesions (more than 80% within a period of two years)"
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?
cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11910884&dopt=Abstract
Center for Disease Control facts:
1. Sexually active persons between the ages of 15 and 49 get at least
one HPV infection (about 80 percent of Americans) at some point in
their lives.
2. At any given time, somewhere around 20 - 40 million Americans are
infected with sexually transmitted types of HPV.
3. DNA testing has proven that 70% of new HPV infections clear within
one year, and as many as 91% clear within two years, in most cases
your immune system will eventually cleanse your body of the virus.
4. By age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired genital
HPV infection.
5. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each
year.
6. Over a typical college career approximately 60% of sexually active
women will become infected.
7. HPV tends to be a transient infection in the majority of women,
even those who are considered at high risk for cervical cancer.
8. Hand and foot (plantar) warts are also from the Human Papilloma
Virus (HPV).

hey skinned horses ass,
please dont forget that cervical cancer is like the second most common cancer in females, right under breast cancer.

I was just wondering if anyone ever gets a tingling feeling where
their warts are? My warts arent "painful" but they tingle randomly,
is this normal?

hey everyone Its getting a little easier to get through each day but
i
still constanly have this irritated feeling I shower in the morn and
when i get home from school my warts get really irritated , and i
have
this awful smell sometimes i can smell it while in class Im thinkin
whats goin on i just took a shower this morning then i get self
conscious i know if i can smell it then other people can . so when i
do take my second shower of the day the warts start peeling and some
of them fall off but only little by little each day Does this mean
there going away? they also bleed sometimes can i bleed to death fom
this because i feel like im losing alot of blood I dont know what to
do I gotta go to the family clinic in a couple of days but until
then
can anyone answer my questions?

Future holds a do-it-yourself, home pap smear
Dr. Fournier says the National Cancer Institute will be using his
device to screen 1500 women in rural Mississippi this summer, but
realistically, it will be 3 to 5 years before it's widely available
Posted: 04/21/2005 11:12 am
Pap smears are certainly essential, but often times they are
embarrassing. The cancer-screening test for women involves an
uncomfortable office visit. In the near future there might be an at
home, do-it-yourself alternative.
Teaching medical students how to perform pap smears is one of the
things Dr. Arthur Fornier has been doing for 27 years at the
University of Miami.
"And it never seemed right to me that this is such an invasion of
privacy and with all the technology all these gadgets with bells and
whistles that we have it just seemed like there ought to be a better
way," he says.
So Dr. Fornier invented a do-it-yourself pap test for women that can
be done at home in two minutes. It is a simple way to retrieve cells
from the cervix to check for cancer and other diseases.
"It's a special plastic that microscopically have little holes that
pick up a lot of cells," explains Dr. Fornier.
Medical student Rachel Lange says, "You insert it, move it around on
the cervix, ideally 20 times in about 2 minutes and then you remove
it. You then take a specimen jar and you just pop it right into the
jar like that."
The sample is sent to a lab for testing. The device was put to the
test in Haiti where access to doctors is limited and cultural reasons
stand in the way of women getting screened for cervical cancer. Lange
helped with this study.
She says, "We had a local health worker explain to them how to use
this device and then we did a traditional pap smear so we can compare
the two. It was much easier for them to do undergo a traditional pap
smear."
Study results are in the Journal of Reproductive Medicine. Among the
findings: the do-it-yourself pap test harvested more cells and
identified more cases of HPV, the virus that causes cervical cancer.

Hello April
I am glad that your infection has cleared for now. However, it's not
correct to call all of our advice "bullshit", as it was so eloquently
put. All of this advice....the vitamins, the vegetables etc are
important to overall health. And they all support immune function.
Your immune system doesn't just fight HPV...it battles against all
degenerative disease. Without it, you're a sitting duck. You
basically promoted smoking in your comments. I'm an RN. Trust me--
among sick people, there are many more smokers than there are daily
broccoli eaters. So don't shrug off healthy lifestyles. Yes, you can
smoke and live to be 90. And yes you can jog everyday and have a heart
attack at 32. But guess what? The facts and the trends do not support
that mentality. So please take care of yourself and encourage others
to.
Mark

Someone said the CDC facts I posted was speading of "dangerous"
information, this is what the abstinence folks want you to believe,
that everyone will drop dead from HPV, eventhough up to 85% have it
or will get it and it will go away forever in 92% of the people
within two years. My information and links are valid, I'll post them
again, feel free to peruse them on your own, I don't make this stuff
up. Bottom line: there is a lot of misinformation about HPV,
including from doctors (my own as well). Keep yourself informed,
educated and supportive, HPV is no big deal and it's
considered "normal" to have it. Of course high risk strains in women
can lead to cervical cancer, this happens 1/10th of 1% of the time
with treatment, and those people should stay diligent. These are
facts, not an opinion, a good resource is also hpvforum.com, I am not
affiliated with them.
"The fact is that the vast majority of women who are infected with
HPV never get dysplasia"
http://www.baymoon.com/~hpvinfo/library/weekly/aa050101a.htm
"Most HPV infections resolve within 6 months and many women develop
immunity."
http://www.womenshealthchannel.com/cervicaldysplasia/index.shtml
"Experts no longer think that HPV is a chronic lifetime virus. HPV
infections of the anogenital tract are usually transient and cleared
to undetectable levels in short duration. Low-risk HPV infections
spontaneously clear more readily than high-risk types."
www.advancefornp.com/common/editorial/PrintFriendly.aspx?CC=7415
"The majority of folks who get HPV infected (human papilloma virus,
wart virus) will actually ELIMINATE the virus completely from the
body. These studies were performed in college woman in which it was
shown that many got HPV infected and then cleared the infection.
However, some folks will just suppress the virus so that the HPV
genes are still in the cell. For others, the HPV will actively
replicate. So many scenarios are possible. HIV-positive patients are
more likely NOT to eliminate the HPV virus from their bodies, when
compared to HIV-negative folks".
www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/Cancer/Archive/cervical/Q145923.html
"Surgical treatment of dysplasia usually results in clearance of HPV
infection within 3 months"
http://www.greenjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/100/5/965
"Studies have shown that 70% of new HPV infections clear within one
year, as many a 91% clear within two years. The median duration of
new infections is typically eight months"
http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/2004HPV%20Report.pdf
"My practical take-home message is that after several months with no
wart recurrence normal pap, the person can consider him/herself
cured; this is practically true if not always biologically true. Such
persons probably transmit HPV to future partners rarely, if ever.
Accordingly, I do not consider it ethically mandatory, or even
recommended, that every person who ever has had HPV must henceforth
and forever tell future partners they once were infected. There has
been too much hype about HPV and its dangers. Catching HPV is normal,
it happens to almost all of us. Don't lose sleep over it."
"Bottom line: Although HPV can persist, in most persons the most
infections are controlled by the immune system and most experts
believe they are truly cured. For "quick and dirty" responses by
clinicians like me, the evidence is good enough to say "cure" and to
reassure our patients accordingly"
H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Professor of Medicine at the University
of Washington and Visiting Scientist at the Division of STD
Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/STD/messages/C281-5.html
http://books.mcgraw-hill.com/getbook.php?
isbn=0070260338&template=medical
"Most people (up to 90%) who test positive for HPV with very
sensitive tests for HPV (polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and Hybrid
Capture® II) will become HPV negative on the same tests within 6-24
months from first testing positive. This is due to an effective
immune response to HPV."
http://www.arhp.org/healthcareproviders/onlinepublications/clinicalpro
ceedings/cc_introduction.cfm?ID=95#
"In almost all cases, the immune system will keep the HPV virus
(including the cancer-related HPV types) under control or get rid of
it completely."
http://www.ashastd.org/hpvccrc/
"The average duration of HPV infection was eight months. Repeated HPV
DNA testing showed that seventy percent of the women cleared their
HPV infections within one year through the natural immune process,
and only nine percent continued to be infected after two years.
Another study conducted in Sweden supported these findings, with a
five-year clearance rate of 92 percent"
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/library/sti/011120_hpv.html
Current treatment protocols allow a 95% cure rate by easily
applicable outpatient treatment modalities.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?
cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1330920&dopt=Abstract
"On one hand, this infection is more often than not transient and
asymptomatic and induces an effective immunity which allows the
infection cure; This clearance is the consequence of host immunity
intervention which leads to spontaneous regression of infection and
of the overwhelming majority of low grade squamous intraepithelial
lesions (more than 80% within a period of two years)"
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?
cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11910884&dopt=Abstract
Center for Disease Control facts:
1. Sexually active persons between the ages of 15 and 49 get at least
one HPV infection (about 80 percent of Americans) at some point in
their lives.
2. At any given time, somewhere around 20 - 40 million Americans are
infected with sexually transmitted types of HPV.
3. DNA testing has proven that 70% of new HPV infections clear within
one year, and as many as 91% clear within two years, in most cases
your immune system will eventually cleanse your body of the virus.
4. By age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired genital
HPV infection.
5. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each
year.
6. Over a typical college career approximately 60% of sexually active
women will become infected.
7. HPV tends to be a transient infection in the majority of women,
even those who are considered at high risk for cervical cancer.

Yeah I had a hard time figuring that out too when I broke out around that area. But it spreads through breaks in the skin with contact... touching, bathing, towels, etc. I assume it happens with tiny fissures/breaks in the skin maybe with bowel movements and excessive moisture of the area.
sonar_25 <sonar_25@...

I am a straight male, my doctor said what I have is HPV. I am straight
never had anything toch my butt. Unless I have hemroids, it has spread
to my butt. Is this possible?

National HTransit Gathering 2005 Update:
Event Link: http://www.htransit.com/gathering2005.asp
July 14th to 17th 2005 - 4 Days / 3 Nights of Fun
This years getaway is going to be a blast! We've secured limo
transportation for both Friday and Saturday Night to and from the main
hotel. Do us a favor, tell everyone you know in the community about
the event, please, thanks, due your part to make this year's HTransit
Gathering the best!
No matter what your interests are, there's going to be something for
everyone at this event!
Clubs / Hotel Parties / Casual & Dress a Little Better Dinning :) /
Beach Party/
Limo Service / 3 Meals Included / Open Bar Package for 1 Evening / DJ
/ Registration Room / Decorations / Wrist Bands / You name it, we're
organized!
ALL FOR ONLY
$55.00 - Upgraded Members
$65.00 - Standard & Non-Members
How can you beat that!
** Price Guaranteed Until June 12th**
Register early by June 12th and save $10 by avoiding the price
increase! If you're planning on attending, register ahead of time on
the site and with the Hotel. Chicago Hotels book up fast! We will not
be aiding in finding hotels for people at the last minute. Many have
already paid for their event fee, so this is the making of a big event
with a couple hundred people expected. We're making arrangements with
the location for Saturday night to expand the area should we exceed
our head count, more info to come.
I know some of you have already started sending us your itinerary for
your flight info and have not heard back from us, be patient, over the
next few weeks we'll be getting in touch with you. We all know you
want to be here already, but hang in there, it's almost July! We will
be providing FREE pickups at designated time to and from the airport,
use O'Hare Airport everyone, to be posted soon.
The Q&A's for the event can be found on the message boards under
"Events and Gatherings". Do you still have a question? Shoot Felicia
an e-mail at Felicia@ HTransit.com, my soon to be wife and expected
mother of my child! :) That's right, Felicia and I are going to be
parents! The baby is due in Novemeber!
We can't wait to see everyone again!
Take Care,
Aaron & Felicia
Your HTransit Team
More info: http://www.htransit.com/gathering2005.asp

I am a straight male, my doctor said what I have is HPV. I am straight
never had anything toch my butt. Unless I have hemroids, it has spread
to my butt. Is this possible?

Using both can cause mild irration and burning. I started by using the Aldara first then later combined it with the tea tree oil but in small amounts. I would test the oil on the inside of your arm or some other body part before combining both.My infection cleared in about seven months and i haven't had any breakouts since and hope to never again!
madrickey23 <madrickey23@...

What are some side effects that can occur from using both Aldara and
Tea Tree Oil at the same time? If anyone can answer please do, thanks
a lot!

--- Hello youong one,
I am sorry to hear that you have hpv at such a young age. Not to
worry many people have it that are young. As far as treatment goes,
you may want to ask people in the message room/ members if they are
willing to sell Aldara to you and buy it from them because you can't
afford to get it on your own. That is what I did. Next, you can
come here for support. There are plenty of people in Philly that are
just like you. Maybe if you looked in the local newspaper you may
find a support group locally that can help you with emotions. You may
even find someone there that you may want to date. If you would like
to contact me, my e-mail is listed in the members profile.
-Karmen

Hi April, Neeno, and all,
April, thanks for being the Zen voice of an HPV vet.
After 8 months of living with this, I hardly ever
think about it. I have another PAP coming up so I'll
keep you all posted on my dysplasia.
Neeno,have you ever tried epsom salts in a warm bath?
I hear these help. BTW, don't worry about people at
school knowing. I work in a high school and a lot of
times, people are so into their own drama that they
don't even notice when others are ill or dealing with
issues. Hang in there.
peace everyone,
Julie

G/f uses vasoline and a pad to keep the mess to a minimum. She say's it helps.
Bob
In a message dated 4/25/05 8:39:32 PM Eastern Daylight Time, neenolove@... writes:

hey everyone hows life treating you? Ive been really stressin about
my
hpv. the warts get so irritated sometimes i cant even sit in class
that long before asking to use the bathroom. sometimes i wonder if
people can tell im going through this. my friends dont say anything
or
treat me any different but i wonder if they can tell im stressing. I
shower before bed and in the morning, avoid tight clothing, and wear
alot of cotton anyone have any other advice to relieve this irritated
feeling?

hey everyone hows life treating you? Ive been really stressin about
my
hpv. the warts get so irritated sometimes i cant even sit in class
that long before asking to use the bathroom. sometimes i wonder if
people can tell im going through this. my friends dont say anything
or
treat me any different but i wonder if they can tell im stressing. I
shower before bed and in the morning, avoid tight clothing, and wear
alot of cotton anyone have any other advice to relieve this irritated
feeling?

People, relax. I went through the same crap of being scared, having
people tell me, "It's life-long", "get healthy", "take
vitamins", "don't have sex", etc., etc. The truth is that it's just an
infection and yeah, though under certain circumstances it can cause
cancer in some people, that is a very TINY statistic. Anything unusual
is generally caught early and treated.
Genital warts, dysplasia...they are like many other viruses: they
begin small, spread and manifest, slowly taper-down, and vanish. Mine
began small, it spread horribly for a few months, then I noticed it
disappearing... and finally there was nothing. That occurance lasted
about nine months (with and without treatment); since then I have been
clear. My body fought my HPV wart outbreak despite my being a smoker,
under lots of stress, with bad eating habits, and a lack of
sleep...all the things I had heard from people online about, "how to
get rid of HPV," was proven bullshit. I never quit anything that I
enjoyed and as a result, great things happened because I was able to
let myself heal emotionally and mentally. This way of thinking helped
me know things were going to get better, after all, some friends who
supported me had HPV, too.

What are some side effects that can occur from using both Aldara and
Tea Tree Oil at the same time? If anyone can answer please do, thanks
a lot!

hi all,
Welcome Tammy. This is a great group. They will give
you information and moral support when you need it.
Feel free to email me directly,
teamrocketmeowth7@..., if you need to talk.
Peachy, great to hear from you!
You are all in my thoughts,
Julie

hello new member just diagnosed with hpv need some information from
people that have had it longer than me so i pretty know what to
expect. thanks email me at my_hearts_desires04240@... thanks tammy

I received the best rate possible using http://goodloane.biz/?affiliate=rcc2 to
refinance my mortgage, totally free and saved me $300 per month!

Hi Gab!
Try not to get too upset about this. If you are like most people, you will get past the warts in less then a year. You will always be a carrier but it could be a lot worse. I am sure you feel lonely and unclean. We all went through that stage. It will pass. You will come to accept this and find a way to deal. You have come to the right place for support. There are some wonderfull people on here who are more than willing to offer you a shoulder. If no one else responds who might be a little more in tune then this 45 yr old white guy from the burbs then feel free to contact me here or directly. Chin up Gab, it's not a death sentance, just a wake up call. :)
Bob
In a message dated 4/21/05 7:52:55 PM Eastern Daylight Time, neenolove@... writes:

hey everyone you can call me gab, Im a 15 year old African American
female from Philadelphia pa living with hpv I've had it for 2 months
now and its really stressful My mom offers no support and refuses to
pay for any treatments so I really have no one to turn to Sometimes I
feel unattractive, and lonely. I have an older bf who is my shoulder
to lean on but I feel bad sometimes because I cant satisfy him
sexually anymore. Im having alot of mixed emotions right now and
sometimes its hard to go on another day

Please be cautious when taking into account any information that
GynGal posts.
She is engaging in a subliminal propaganda campaign about HPV. She
is distorting the facts about it, and trying to scare people into
thinking it's a lifelong disease when in fact 91% of the time, the
immune system eradicates it from the body, forever. Either out of
anger, guilt, repentance or jealousy, she is trying to convince you
that your HPV will never go away and that you are doomed to a life of
celibacy and cancer threats. This is not true. Medical science is
very clear on this: 91% of HPV cases resolve themselves within 24
months. Period. Thanks for listening.

hey everyone you can call me gab, Im a 15 year old African American
female from Philadelphia pa living with hpv I've had it for 2 months
now and its really stressful My mom offers no support and refuses to
pay for any treatments so I really have no one to turn to Sometimes I
feel unattractive, and lonely. I have an older bf who is my shoulder
to lean on but I feel bad sometimes because I cant satisfy him
sexually anymore. Im having alot of mixed emotions right now and
sometimes its hard to go on another day.

Dear Peachy,
Sorry to hear you're haveing such a rough time of things. Glad to hear that baby Bob (hint-hint):) is still fighting. Good luck. You will be in our prayers.
Bob
In a message dated 4/20/05 10:45:50 AM Eastern Daylight Time, peachy_biotch@... writes:

i am now on bed rest and liveing at my moms no internet there either
sooooooooooooo i'll check in when i can lol
the baby is 3 lbs 3 oz's and just tryin to hold me over for the next 4
weeks

i am now on bed rest and liveing at my moms no internet there either
sooooooooooooo i'll check in when i can lol
the baby is 3 lbs 3 oz's and just tryin to hold me over for the next 4
weeks

Study Finds Majority of Women Willing to Accept Cervical Cancer
Vaccine for Self and Children
Monday March 21, 9:00 am ET
- Findings Presented at the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists 36th
Annual Meeting on Women's Cancer
MIAMI, March 21 /PRNewswire/ -- In a study of 200 women, a group of
physicians has found that a vast majority of women would be willing
to take a cervical cancer vaccine themselves and would allow it to be
administered to their children. The findings, which were presented at
the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists (SGO) Annual Meeting on
Women's Cancer in Miami, describes women's attitudes toward a
potential cervical cancer vaccine, focusing on their willingness to
accept it for themselves, and their daughters and sons. It is the
first study to examine women's perceptions of a vaccine for both
girls and boys.
Specifically, the study included 200 surveys conducted between
February and December 2004 at gynecology and adolescent medical
clinics at The University of Texas, Galveston. Women with children
between the ages of eight and 14 were asked to take the survey, which
was available in both English and Spanish. Women also received an
education statement that explained that the human papillomavirus
(HPV) is a virus that can cause cervical cancer. The statement also
explained that scientific studies showed that a cervical cancer
vaccine may be available within the next couple of years, and that
this vaccine would work by preventing HPV, which is transmitted
through sexual contact.
Results showed that 76 percent of women surveyed would be willing to
accept a cervical cancer vaccine for themselves. Sixty-seven percent
of women who had a daughter would consent to have their child
vaccinated, compared to 64 percent of women with a son.
Stated reasons for women not accepting the vaccine included unknown
side effects and not currently being sexually active. Reasons for
refusing consent for their children to be vaccinated included:
unknown side effects, the belief that minors are not sexually active,
and for boys, the belief that there was no direct benefit to them.
As the vaccine would need to be administrated prior to first sexual
activity, 23 percent of women who were not willing to vaccinate their
children stated that they did not want their child to participate in
sex education. In the survey, it was found that 11 years of age was
the mean age noted by participants as an appropriate time to provide
children with sex education.
"This study shows that education will be key to acceptance of the
vaccine," said Diane C. Bodurka, MD, Department of Gynecologic
Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer
Center. "Given that the vaccine may be available in the next five to
10 years, it is critical that we begin educating parents, especially
mothers, now about how the vaccine will be crucial to the prevention
of cervical cancer. It is also important for everyone to understand
that a vaccine will be aimed at both boys and girls, and how this
will help prevent the disease worldwide."
Factors influencing a woman's acceptance of the vaccine included
their acceptance of all previously recommended vaccines for a child
and acceptance of the vaccine for themselves. Neither demographic
considerations, such as income, religion, race and education, nor a
history of an abnormal Pap test were found to alter the patterns of
potential acceptance of the vaccine.
More information about the study can be found in the manuscript "Are
Women Ready for the Cervical Cancer Vaccine?" The authors of the
study are: Diane C. Bodurka, MD, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center; Brian
M. Slomovitz, MD, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center; Charlotte C. Sun,
DrPH, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center; Michael Frumovitz, MD, MPH, M. D.
Anderson Cancer Center; Pamela T. Soliman, MD, M. D. Anderson Cancer
Center; Heidi C. Pearson, University of Texas - Main Branch,
Galveston; Abbey Berenson, MD, University of Texas - Main Branch,
Galveston; and Karen H. Lu, MD, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Worldwide, more than 500,000 women die of cervical cancer each year.
There are 10,520 new cervical cancers diagnosed in the U.S. each year
and approximately 3,900 deaths from the disease.
The SGO is a national medical specialty organization of physicians
who are trained in the comprehensive management of women with
malignancies of the reproductive tract. Its purpose is to improve the
care of women with gynecologic cancer by encouraging research,
disseminating knowledge which will raise the standards of practice in
the prevention and treatment of gynecologic malignancies and
cooperating with other organizations interested in women's health
care, oncology and related fields. The Society's membership is
primarily comprised of gynecologic oncologists, as well as other
related medical specialists such as, medical oncologists, radiation
oncologists and pathologists. SGO members provide multidisciplinary
cancer care including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, supportive
care and surgery. More information on the SGO can be found at
http://www.sgo.org.
Source: Society of Gynecologic Oncologists

look, the more posts from u i read, the more dangerous they sound. i
am not an alias or subordinate of gyn gal, nor have i ever talked to
her. where the hell did u get the idea that someone is out to sabotage

whats with all the confusion around the hpv/cancer vaccines? read
the news, search the web. merck and glaxo smith & kline HAVE
developed a definite vaccine for hpv and are in the process of
developing an ample supplies for distribution. however a drug must
undergo rigorous testing and approvals by the fda before being
released to the public and exactly these proceedings are what is
holding back the release. there is at least one article about it
every other month in the finacial section af all major news papers,
financially its a big deal for these two companies who share the
patent on the vaccine. sorry i dont have many links to provide,

A recent review of a GYNGALINFO support group found a
disproportionate amount of abstinence lecturing, some of which you
may review below. Please beware of any posts from GynGal or her
subordinates, she has a secret abstinence agenda and is trying to
fool people into thinking that HPV is not a transient virus despite
what credible medical institutions all over the world have proven.
Abstinence is not the practical answer to HPV as we all know:
education, support, protection (to at least minimize infection) and
knowledge are key. 91% of HPV infections clear on their own after 24
months, forever, this is medical and scientific fact.
GYNGALINO forum, articles posted in last 12 weeks:
"Romance Without Regret: Brainerd urges teens to save sex for
marriage. For the last five years Jason Evert has traveled the world
teaching teenagers the importance of virginity."
"The best way to prevent HPV is through abstinence, said Bridget
Maher, an analyst at the Family Research Council, a conservative
group that expects to campaign against making the vaccines mandatory
for entering school. I see potential harm in giving this vaccine to
young women."
"On balance, women tend to suffer more ill health resulting from
sexual behavior. Problems include unwanted pregnancy, infection,
including HIV, and psychological problems. The best way to prevent
HPV is through abstinence."
"School districts in Michigan that refuse to stress the importance of
abstinence until marriage could be penalized one percent of their
state funding."
"As an abstinence educator, it is my passion to educate teens about
the dangers of premarital sex and the consequences of contracting
sexually transmitted diseases. What I wish to take exception with is
the misnomer that there can be "safe sex" outside of marriage."
"Pam Stenzel, a Minneapolis psychologist who has created numerous
videos for young people that focus on character traits and avoiding
sex before marriage, spoke to teens at Perry High School on
Friday. "The medical definition of sex includes genital contact of
any kind. That includes oral sex," she told the students in a highly
charged and frank talk. "You step over the line, and you're at risk
for a disease."
"Columnist Nicholas Kristof makes no secret of his love for
contraception education programs and the promotion of condoms to pre-
pubescent children. Mr. Kristof thinks he knows better. Citing Europe
as a shining example of sexual health and activity, Mr. Kristof wrote
of America's need to "loosen up."

Background: Genital warts are an epidermal manifestation attributed to
the epidermotropic human papillomavirus (HPV). Over 75 types of
double-stranded HPV papovavirus have been isolated thus far. Many have
been linked directly to an increased neoplastic risk in men and women.
Approximately 90% of all genital warts are related to HPV types 6 and
11 (HPV-6, HPV-11). These are the least likely to have neoplastic
potential.
Thirteen HPV types (ie, 33, 35, 39, 40, 43, 45, 51-56, 58) have a
moderate risk for neoplastic conversion; HPV-16 and HPV-18 are
considered high risk. This picture is complicated by the proven
coexistence of many types in the same patient (10-15%), lack of
adequate information on the oncogenic potential of many other types,
and ongoing identification of additional HPV-related clinical
pathology. For example, bowenoid papulosis, seborrheic keratoses, and
Buschke-Lowenstein tumorspreviously parts of the differential
diagnosis of genital wartsall have been linked to HPV infections.
* Bowenoid papulosis consists of rough papular eruptions and is
considered a carcinoma in situ. Eruptions can be red, brown, or flesh
colored and may regress or become invasive.
* Seborrheic keratoses previously were considered a benign skin
manifestation. These consist of rough plaques and have an infectious
and an oncogenic potential.
* Buschke-Lowenstein tumor (giant condyloma) is a fungating,
locally invasive, low-grade cancer attributed to HPV.
Pathophysiology: HPV invades cells of the basal layer of the
epidermis, penetrating skin and mucosal microabrasions in the genital
area.
A latency period of months to years may ensue. Following that period,
viral DNA, capsids, and particles are produced. Host cells become
infected and develop the morphologic atypical koilocytosis of genital
warts.
Most frequently affected are the penis, vulva, vagina, cervix,
perineum, and perianal area. These mucosal lesions occasionally can be
found in the oropharynx, larynx, and trachea. HPV-6 even has been
reported in other uncommon areas (eg, extremities).
Multiple simultaneous lesions are common and may involve subclinical
states as well as different anatomic sites. Subclinical infections
have an infectious and oncogenic potential.
Consider the possibility of sexual abuse in pediatric cases; however,
remember that infection by direct manual contact or, rarely, by
indirect transmission from fomites may occur. Additionally, passage
through an infected vaginal canal at birth may cause respiratory
lesions in infants.
Frequency:
* In the US: Annual incidence is 1%, and genital warts are
considered the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD). A
4-fold or more increase in prevalence has been reported in the last 2
decades; prevalence reportedly exceeds 50%.
* Internationally: Reports vary on international prevalence, but
available data from England, Panama, Italy, the Netherlands, and other
developed and underdeveloped countries show HPV infections to be at
least as common internationally as in the United States.
Mortality/Morbidity: Mortality is secondary to malignant
transformation to a carcinoma. This oncogenic potential, which is rare
with HPV-6 and HPV-11 (the most commonly isolated viruses), reportedly
triples the risk of genitourinary cancer among infected males.
* HPV infection appears to be more common and worse in patients
with various types of immunologic deficiencies. Recurrence rate, size,
discomfort, and risk of oncologic progression are highest among these
patients. Secondary infection is uncommon. Latent illness often
becomes active during pregnancy.
* Vulvar warts may interfere with parturition. Trauma then may
occur, producing crusting or erythema. Acute urethral obstruction may
occur in women.
* Bleeding has been reported due to flat warts of the penile
urethral meatus (usually associated with HPV-16) and in the large
lesions that can occur during pregnancy. Lesions may lead to
disfigurement.
Sex: Both sexes are susceptible to infection. Overt disease may be
more common in men (reported in 75% of cases); however, infection may
be more prevalent in women.
Age: Prevalence is greatest in those persons aged 17-33 years, with a
peak incidence in persons aged 20-24 years.
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History:
* Painless bumps, pruritus, and discharge are the chief complaints
encountered with genital warts.
* Generally, two thirds of individuals who have sexual contact
with a partner who has genital warts develop lesions within 3 months.
* A history involving multiple lesions, rather than a single
isolated wart, is more common.
* Involvement of more than 1 area is more common.
* History may indicate previous or other current STDs.
o Oral, laryngeal, or tracheal mucosal lesions (uncommon)
presumably transfer through oral-genital contact.
o History of anal intercourse warrants a thorough search for
perianal lesions.
* Urethral bleeding or urinary obstruction (uncommon) may be the
presenting complaint when the wart involves the meatus.
* Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy may be due to condyloma
eruptions. Coital bleeding also may occur.
* Latent illness may become active, particularly with pregnancy
and immunosuppression.
* Lesions may regress spontaneously, remain static, or progress.
Physical:
* Single or multiple papular eruptions may be seen.
o Eruptions can be pearly, filiform, fungating, cauliflower,
or plaquelike.
o Lesions can be quite smooth (particularly on the penile
shaft), verrucous, or lobulated.
o Some appear harmless; others have a more disturbing
appearance.
o Multiple sites often are involved simultaneously.
* Color may vary from that of the skin to erythema or
hyperpigmentation.
* Check for irregularities in shape, form, or color that may
suggest melanoma or malignancy.
* Seek perianal lesions, particularly in patients with a history
or risk of immunosuppression or anal intercourse.
* Search for evidence of other STDs (eg, ulcerations, adenopathy,
vesicles, discharge).
* Genital warts have a propensity for the penile glans and shaft
in men and for the vulvovaginal and cervical areas in women.
* Urethral meatus and mucosal lesions can occur.
* Some lesions are subclinical, and some are hidden by hair or in
the inner aspect of uncircumcised foreskin.
* Although earlier reports have suggested otherwise, the presence
of external genital warts warrants a thorough search for cervical and
urethral lesions.
o Such internal lesions have been found in more than half of
females with external lesions.
o Infected males have a 20% chance or more (in one report)
of having subclinical urethral lesions.
o More than 50% of female patients with external lesions
have negative Papanicolaou test (Pap smear) results but positive HPV
infection results using in situ hybridization.
* Pruritus may be a complaint.
* Discharge may be evident.
Causes:
* Genital warts are caused by several of the epidermotropic HPVs.
o HPV-6 and HPV-11 most commonly are isolated; however, many
of the more than 60 types of HPV may cause condyloma.
o Male sex partners of women with cervical intraepithelial
neoplasia often have infections of the same viral type.
* Smoking, oral contraceptives, multiple sex partners, and early
coital age are risk factors for acquiring genital wart
ther Tests:
* As indicated by history and physical examination, consider
testing for other STDs (eg, HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis).
* The following are not ED tests. These are listed strictly for
educational purposes and to assist in the understanding and management
of potential complications.
o Pap smear - Used to look for papillomatosis, acanthosis,
koilocytic abnormality, and mild nuclear abnormality
o Colposcopy (stereoscopic microscopy) - Used to look for
papillomatosis, acanthosis, koilocytic abnormality, and mild nuclear
abnormality
o Biopsy - Indicated for lesions that are atypical,
recurrent after initial success, or resistant to treatment and in
patients with a high risk for neoplasia or immunosuppression
o Filter hybridization (Southern blot and slot-blot
hybridization), in situ hybridization, and polymerase chain reaction -
Used for diagnosis and typing of HPV
o Hybrid capture
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Emergency Department Care:
* Although an in-depth discussion of the treatment of genital
warts (ie, type of workup, treatment regimens, necessary follow-up) is
beyond the scope of ED practice, symptomatic treatment may be warranted.
o Use pressure to stop bleeding, if present.
o Relieve urethral obstruction (rare).
o Search for evidence of coexistent STDs; treat them if
found and indicated.
* The following measures are beyond the scope of the ED and are
presented for educational purposes only.
o Cryotherapy
+ Use an open spray or cotton-tipped applicator for
10-15 seconds, and repeat as needed. Lift away mobile skin from the
underlying normal tissue before freezing.
+ This is an excellent first-line treatment,
particularly for perianal lesions.
+ Response rates are high with few adverse sequelae.
+ Adverse reactions include pain during treatment,
erosion, ulceration, and postinflammatory hypopigmentation of skin.
+ Cryotherapy is safe for use during pregnancy.
o Electrodesiccation (smoke plume may be infective)
o Curettage
o Surgical excision
+ Excision has the highest success rate and lowest
recurrence rate.
+ Initial cure rates are 63-91%.
o Carbon dioxide laser treatment
+ This treatment is used for extensive or recurrent
genital warts.
+ HPV-6 DNA has been detected in the carbon dioxide
laser plume; therefore, treatment is potentially infectious.
+ The procedure requires local, regional, or general
anesthesia. (A eutectic mixture of local anesthetics [EMLA] cream may
be used as an alternative anesthetic.)
Consultations:
* No emergent consultation is indicated.
* Outpatient follow-up with an obstetrician, gynecologist, or
urologist is indicated.
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Do not administer the following medications in the ED. These agents
are listed strictly for educational purposes and to help readers
understand and manage potential complications.
Warts generally regress spontaneously within months or years. Remove
genital or laryngeal warts, however, because of the possibility of
malignant transformation.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends
keratolytic agents and antimitotic agents as alternative regimens to
cryotherapy to treat external genital/perianal warts, vaginal warts,
and urethral meatus warts.
Drug Category: Keratolytics -- Cause the cornified epithelium to
swell, soften, macerate, and then desquamate.
Drug Name
Podophyllum resin (Podocon-25, Podo-Ben-25, Podofin) -- Powdered
mixture of resins removed from the May apple (mandrake) (Podophyllum
peltatum linne). Cytotoxic agent used topically to treat genital
warts. Arrests mitosis in metaphase, an effect it shares with other
cytotoxic agents (eg, vinca alkaloids). Podophyllotoxin is the active
agent, and its strength varies with the type of podophyllum resin
used. American podophyllum contains a fourth the amount of Indian
source. A cure rate of 20-50% can be expected if used as a single agent.
Adult Dose Sparingly apply 10-25% concentration onto lesions 1-2
times/wk; use 1 gtt at a time, allowing drying between gtt until area
is covered
Treat only intact lesions; wash treatment area 1-2 h after first
application; in subsequent treatments, patient can wait 4-6 h before
washing off agent
Pediatric Dose Apply as in adults
Contraindications Documented hypersensitivity; diabetes; impaired
peripheral circulation; avoid use on mucous membranes, eyes, bleeding
warts, moles, birthmarks, or unusual warts with hair
Interactions None reported
Pregnancy X - Contraindicated in pregnancy
Precautions Powerful caustic and severe irritant; do not use if
surrounding tissue is swollen or irritated; do not apply 25% solution
near mucous membranes; do not use large amounts; avoid contact with cornea
Drug Name
Podofilox (Condylox) -- Topical antimitotic that can be chemically
synthesized or purified from plant families Coniferae and
Berberidaceae (eg, species of Juniperus and Podophyllum). Treatment of
anogenital warts results in necrosis of visible wart tissue. Exact
mechanism of action is unknown. Genital warts are epidemiologically
associated with cervical carcinoma. Slightly higher cure rates can be
expected with podofilox than with podophyllin. Additionally, this
agent is useful for prophylaxis.
Adult Dose 0.5% solution applied bid for 3 d and discontinued for 4 d;
repeat this on-and-off cycle for up to 4 wk
Use no more than 0.5 mL of solution or 0.5 g of gel qd; treat <10 cm2
of tissue qd
Thoroughly wash hands after each application
Pediatric Dose Not established
Contraindications Documented hypersensitivity
Interactions None reported
Pregnancy C - Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established.
Precautions Avoid contact with eyes; if eye contact, immediately flush
eye with copious quantities of water and seek medical advice; not for
use on mucous membranes of genital area, including urethra, rectum,
and vagina; do not exceed frequency of application or duration of
usage; not recommended by itself for recurrent warts or perianal or
genital mucous membranes (distinguishing between these conditions can
be difficult); obtain histopathologic confirmation if the diagnosis is
doubtful
Drug Name
Trichloroacetic (Tri-Clor), Dichloroacetic (Bichloracetic) acids --
Cauterizes skin, keratin, and other tissues. Although caustic, causes
less local irritation and systemic toxicity than other agents in the
same class. However, response is often incomplete and recurrences are
frequent.
Adult Dose Paint onto lesions, avoiding uninvolved skin; can be used
in anal areas; repeat q1-2wk; 3-4 treatments may be necessary
Treated area requires no cleansing after several hours
Pediatric Dose Not established
Contraindications Documented hypersensitivity; not for use on
premalignant or malignant lesions
Interactions None reported
Pregnancy C - Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established.
Precautions External use only; restrict use to treatment areas only;
if acid spilled on normal tissue or if too much applied, remove
immediately and wash with water; sodium bicarbonate may be applied as
a local antidote
Drug Name
5-Fluorouracil (Efudex, Fluoroplex) -- Has antimetabolic,
antineoplastic, and immunostimulative activity. Useful to prevent
recurrence in patients who are immunocompromised if started within 4
wk of condyloma ablation.
Mild local discomfort can be treated with cortisol cream.
Adult Dose 5% cream qd or periodically for 10 wk
1% cream bid for 2-6 wk
Pediatric Dose Not established
Contraindications Documented hypersensitivity; pregnancy
Interactions None reported
Pregnancy X - Contraindicated in pregnancy
Precautions Incidence of inflammatory reactions may occur with
occlusive dressings; porous gauze dressing may be applied for cosmetic
reasons without increase in reaction; avoid prolonged exposure to
sunlight or UV radiation; increased absorption may occur through
ulcerated or swollen skin; use care near eyes, nose, and mouth; wash
hands immediately after application; prolonged use may result in
erosive dermatitis and mucositis; additionally, there is a risk of
developing vaginal adenosis and clear cell adenocarcinoma with this
treatment; pain, pruritus, burning, irritation, inflammation, allergic
contact dermatitis, and telangiectasia are possible adverse effects
Drug Category: Interferons -- Naturally produced protein with
antiviral, antitumor, and immunomodulatory actions. Alpha-, beta-, and
gamma-interferons exist and may be administered topically,
systemically, and intralesionally.
Drug Name
Interferon Alfa-n3 (Alferon N) -- Approved by the FDA for injection
in refractory condyloma acuminata. The mechanism by which interferons
exert antitumor activity is poorly understood. Direct
antiproliferative action against tumor cells and modulation of the
host immune response may play important roles.
Recurrence rate of 20-40%, but the recurrence rate after successful
treatment is lower than with other treatment modalities. Nevertheless,
intralesional interferon is expensive and requires repeated office visits.
Adult Dose 250,000 U intralesionally twice weekly for a maximum of 8
wk; not to exceed 2.5 million U per treatment session
Pediatric Dose Not established
Contraindications Documented hypersensitivity to mouse immunoglobulin,
egg protein, or neomycin
Interactions Potential risk of renal failure when administered
concurrently with interleukin-2; theophylline may increase toxicity by
reducing clearance; cimetidine may increase antitumor effects;
zidovudine and vinblastine may increase toxicity
Pregnancy C - Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established.
Precautions Numerous adverse reactions may occur with IM
administration, including myalgias, fever and chills, GI symptoms,
transient leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, LFT abnormalities, and serum
lipid abnormalities, as well as a theoretical risk of viral
transmission with natural interferon products; viral symptoms abate
with time, and all adverse effects resolve once therapy is stopped;
viral symptoms can be treated with acetaminophen or NSAIDs in the
interim; monitor periodically to determine if the patient is
responding to treatment; if patient does not respond within 6 mo,
discontinue treatment; if a response to treatment is seen, continue
treatment until either no further improvement is observed or the
laboratory parameters have been stable for about 3 mo (not known
whether continued treatment after that time is beneficial); caution in
debilitating cardiovascular disease, severe pulmonary disease,
diabetes mellitus with ketoacidosis, coagulation disorders, severe
myelosuppression, or seizure disorders
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Further Outpatient Care:
* Ensure follow-up with an obstetrician or gynecologist (females)
or with a urologist (males) within 1 week.
* Perform a workup for HPV and other STDs as indicated.
* Treat the patient using medications; if medications are
ineffective, treat with cryotherapy, curettage, electrodesiccation,
surgical excision, carbon dioxide laser treatment, or combination therapy.
* Evaluate and treat sexual partner(s).
* Search for immunosuppression in patients with treatment failures
and recurrences.
* Perform a tissue biopsy if recurrences or treatment failures occur.
In/Out Patient Meds:
* Podofilox (purified podophyllotoxin) is available for home use
by the patient.
o A 0.5% solution is applied twice daily for 3 consecutive
days for up to 4 weeks.
o Slightly higher cure rates are expected than with podophyllin.
o Podofilox is useful for prophylaxis.
o Podofilox is not recommended as the sole treatment for
recurrent warts.
Deterrence/Prevention:
* No treatment is 100% effective.
o Vaccines are unavailable.
o Sexual abstinence and monogamy are protective.
o Condoms may discourage transmission.
Complications:
* Local disfigurement
* Transformation to genitourinary malignancies in both males and
females
* Transmission to neonate or partners
* Recurrence
Prognosis:
* Many cases fail to respond to treatment or recur after adequate
response.
* Recurrence rate of cervical dysplasia in women is not altered by
treatment of their sex partners.
* Recurrence rates exceed 50% after 1 year and have been
attributed to the following:
o Recurrent infection from sexual contact
o Long incubation period of HPV
o Location of the virus in superficial skin layers away from
lymphatics
o Persistence of the virus in the surrounding skin, in the
hair follicle, or in sites inadequately reached by the intervention
o Missed or deep lesions
o Subclinical lesions
o Underlying immunosuppression
Patient Education:
* Identify and educate persons at risk.
* For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine's
Sexually Transmitted Diseases Center. Also, see eMedicine's patient
education article Genital Warts.
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Medical/Legal Pitfalls:
* Failure to inform patients of potential risk of malignant
transformation of lesions
* Failure to indicate necessity for follow-up, even after
treatment eradicates lesions
* Failure to recognize the possibility of subclinical and
intravaginal or cervical lesions and failure to search for them
* Failure to indicate treatment availability and follow-up
* Failure to inform patients of the risk of HPV transmission to
sex partners and neonates
* Failure to inform patient of necessity to treat partners
* Failure to search for immunosuppression in patients with
treatment failures and recurrences
Special Concerns:
* Pregnancy
o Latent infections may become activated with numerous large
lesions.
o Lesions often present or increase during pregnancy.
o Lesions may make vaginal delivery difficult if they are in
the cervix, vagina, or vulva.
o Lesions tend to bleed easily.
o Lesions often regress spontaneously after delivery.
* Pediatrics
o Neonates may become infected during passage through an
infected birth canal.
o Incidence of perinatal transmission to the infant pharynx
may be as high as 50%; transmission occurs most frequently with HPV-6
and HPV-11.
o Incidence of genital infection in neonates is 4%, although
the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology currently does not
recommend cesarean delivery due solely to positive HPV status.

Common cold
Influenza
Eczema
Allergies (including cat dander)
Addiction (including nicotine and cocaine dependence)
Myeloma
Tremors
Speech therapy
Gastric disorders
Genital warts
Autism
Just because a drug company wants to create a vaccine, doesn't make
something an epidemic. I can't wait until a vaccine is developed for
cervical cancer related disorders for those 1% of HPV sufferers who
actually get cervical cancer. But for all the others with HPV (91%),
we won't be needing a vaccine as the immune system will eradicate the
virus anyways, as shown with the myriad of links I have provided.
GynGal is not a doctor. She is not an HPV expert. She is not a
laboratory scientist. She is not an STD scholar. Don't let her
opinion and biased propoganda disprove what all the cold hard
scientific facts say about HPV clearance. She's just some girl on
the internet. Follow the science, not the biased propoganda.

Social stigmas and hysteria account for most of the angst regarding
HPV, thanks to people like you. And questioning why any
pharmecutical company wants to make money is a no brainer.
GynGal is engaging in a subliminal propaganda campaign about HPV.
She is distorting the facts about it, and trying to scare people into
thinking it's a lifelong disease when in fact 91% of the time,
the
immune system eradicates it from the body, forever. GynGal
regrettably is one of the few women who have had lifelong dysplasia,
and either out of anger, guilt, repentance or jealousy, she is trying
to convince you that your HPV will never go away and that you are
doomed to a life of celibacy and cancer threats. This is not true.
Medical science is very clear on this: 91% of HPV cases resolve
themselves within 24 months. Period.
GynGal and her subordinates are admitted proponents of the
Administration Abstinence Program, please take that into account when
considering any information in her posts. Most of it is biased
propaganda with a religious and political agenda, including quotes
from their own pamphlet ("HIV is spread through tears and
sweat",
women who have abortions are "prone to suicide" and
"condoms fail to
prevent HIV transmission as often as 31 percent of the time in
heterosexual intercourse"). She will present herself in a very
professional, soft-spoken, articulate and supportive way, but this is
just a smoke screen, don't fall for it. She is not a doctor,
scientist, therapist or an expert on HPV. In previous posts she has
lectured members about promiscuity, out of wedlock sex, the evils of
birth control and the Administration's abstinence agenda. Here
is
her typical approach: she answers a lot of questions and appears to
be very helpful, which in turn gains your trust and makes her a
likeable person. Then she'll slip in her HPV-is-a-lifelong-virus
lies and abstinence propaganda which in turns appears valid since she
gained your trust and respect by taking the time to answer your
questions. It's an effective tactic to casual users and those
who
are not knowledgeable about HPV, but this charade to disseminate lies
is truly reprehensible. HPV is a transient virus that will go away
on it's own within 24 months in 91% of cases according to the CDC
and
a myriad of other reputable medical sources.
Thanks for listening.

Hi everyone,
this is a SUPPORT group, not a discussion or debate
group. We are here to support each other. We are
not all going to agree on how we should deal with HPV
but can share information and opinions. It's easy to
unsubscribe if the group no longer meets your needs.
Peace,
JC in CA

I just wanted to thank all those people who e-mailed me to share
their stories about GynGal (and her other aliases), and to validate
my position about her abstinence agenda. E-mail after e-mail told
stories about people posting their success stories about being wart
free of HPV for years and years (non-contagious "clearance" and virus
eradication as defined by the CDC), and having GynGal (not a doctor,
not a laboratory scientist, not an HPV expert) throw lies and
abstinence nonsense at them, trying to convince these people that
they are still spreading HPV despite what all the science and medical
studies prove.
Let's give her the benefit of the doubt. When you take into account
her theory that some DNA testing cannot detect 100% of the virus, the
truth is there MAY be a fossilized footprint left in the skin from
the virus, but this is IRRELEVANT as the virus has been deemed
neutralized, and it causes no harm to yourself or anyone, forever. I
think that is why people get confused by her lies: the virus may
still be detected, but it's a moot point as the immune system has
killed it. It just sits there in a vegetative state, forever, unable
to hurt you or be passed onto to anyone else. Of course acquiring
new strains is a concern.
So thank you all again, and I will be monitoring these boards for as
long as I am alive to spread the word about the true medical facts,
and the unfortunate hidden agenda rooted in political and religious
ideology perpetrated by a few misguided people.
"Experts no longer think that HPV is a chronic lifetime virus. HPV
infections of the anogenital tract are usually transient and cleared
to undetectable levels in short duration. Low-risk HPV infections
spontaneously clear more readily than high-risk types."
www.advancefornp.com/common/editorial/PrintFriendly.aspx?CC=7415
"The majority of folks who get HPV infected (human papilloma virus,
wart virus) will actually ELIMINATE the virus completely from the
body. These studies were performed in college woman in which it was
shown that many got HPV infected and then cleared the infection.
However, some folks will just suppress the virus so that the HPV
genes are still in the cell. For others, the HPV will actively
replicate. So many scenarios are possible. HIV-positive patients are
more likely NOT to eliminate the HPV virus from their bodies, when
compared to HIV-negative folks".
www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/Cancer/Archive/cervical/Q145923.html
"Surgical treatment of dysplasia usually results in clearance of HPV
infection within 3 months"
http://www.greenjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/100/5/965
"Studies have shown that 70% of new HPV infections clear within one
year, as many a 91% clear within two years. The median duration of
new infections is typically eight months"
http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/2004HPV%20Report.pdf
"My practical take-home message is that after several months with no
wart recurrence normal pap, the person can consider him/herself
cured; this is practically true if not always biologically true. Such
persons probably transmit HPV to future partners rarely, if ever.
Accordingly, I do not consider it ethically mandatory, or even
recommended, that every person who ever has had HPV must henceforth
and forever tell future partners they once were infected. There has
been too much hype about HPV and its dangers. Catching HPV is normal,
it happens to almost all of us. Don't lose sleep over it."
"Bottom line: Although HPV can persist, in most persons the most
infections are controlled by the immune system and most experts
believe they are truly cured. For "quick and dirty" responses by
clinicians like me, the evidence is good enough to say "cure" and to
reassure our patients accordingly"
H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Professor of Medicine at the University
of Washington and Visiting Scientist at the Division of STD
Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/STD/messages/C281-5.html
http://books.mcgraw-hill.com/getbook.php?
isbn=0070260338&template=medical
"Most people (up to 90%) who test positive for HPV with very
sensitive tests for HPV (polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and Hybrid
Capture® II) will become HPV negative on the same tests within 6-24
months from first testing positive. This is due to an effective
immune response to HPV."
http://www.arhp.org/healthcareproviders/onlinepublications/clinicalpro
ceedings/cc_introduction.cfm?ID=95#
"In almost all cases, the immune system will keep the HPV virus
(including the cancer-related HPV types) under control or get rid of
it completely."
http://www.ashastd.org/hpvccrc/
"The average duration of HPV infection was eight months. Repeated HPV
DNA testing showed that seventy percent of the women cleared their
HPV infections within one year through the natural immune process,
and only nine percent continued to be infected after two years.
Another study conducted in Sweden supported these findings, with a
five-year clearance rate of 92 percent"
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/library/sti/011120_hpv.html
Current treatment protocols allow a 95% cure rate by easily
applicable outpatient treatment modalities.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?
cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1330920&dopt=Abstract
"On one hand, this infection is more often than not transient and
asymptomatic and induces an effective immunity which allows the
infection cure; This clearance is the consequence of host immunity
intervention which leads to spontaneous regression of infection and
of the overwhelming majority of low grade squamous intraepithelial
lesions (more than 80% within a period of two years)"
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?
cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11910884&dopt=Abstract
Center for Disease Control facts:
1. Sexually active persons between the ages of 15 and 49 get at least
one HPV infection (about 80 percent of Americans) at some point in
their lives.
2. At any given time, somewhere around 20 - 40 million Americans are
infected with sexually transmitted types of HPV.
3. DNA testing has proven that 70% of new HPV infections clear within
one year, and as many as 91% clear within two years, in most cases
your immune system will eventually cleanse your body of the virus.
4. By age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired genital
HPV infection.
5. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each
year.
6. Over a typical college career approximately 60% of sexually active
women will become infected.
7. HPV tends to be a transient infection in the majority of women,
even those who are considered at high risk for cervical cancer.
8. Almost every single American, including children, has HPV-1.

Anyone using Aldara, try using Tea Tree Oil on their Aldara off days? Just curious??

Again, I'm not supporting or bashing anyone....But GynGal has never (at least to me) promoted anything in the form of abstinence. It's the plain simple truth that it's the safest and most effective way to prevent the transmission of STDs, this is common knowledge reguardless of whether you are democrat, republican or anything in between. I dunno if anyone's had any other experiences with "gyngal", but I can say the only thing I've ever seen out of her, is her doing the postings of the latest "findings", which she has always backed up with resources, website links and names.

Call me naive, but when a person can prove a "paper trail" of where they got their sources (aka, "citing their source"), this is concidered nothing short of "scholarly research". Again, I'm not in this to support or bash anyone. I've stated it a million times to new people who join this form of "group therapy".....your GYN is the BEST resource you can utilize. Each person's HPV is as individual as a finger print, and as Dr's, they are up on the latest findings and what not (or at least they should be). Your doctor knows you and your situation and can give you the best advice. As a social worker I can tell you all, Support Groups are a more than appropriate outlet to help relieve the stresses we all experience with this disease......hense the fact they're called "support groups". However, some people think this is an information forum and that some one in here can tell us what's best......As I said, YOUR HPV is YOUR HPV. No one is going to experience it exactly the
same, no one's going to experience treatments the same, and NO ONE is a doctor! Support and words of encoragement and understanding are key in a group such as this. If it's going to get to the point that we have to put "warnings" out about each other for giving "faulty adivse", what's the sence of a support group? Why join or start one, if you can't be open and trust the people you are sharing some of the most intimate parts of your life with??!!!

All I'm saying is, keep it clean. Everyone's entitled to opinions.....but lets not be telling everyone what to do, who to talk to, what's right and what's wrong. We're all going through enough drama with this disease.......Lets just support each other, encourage each other, and save the BIG and Seriouse questions for our Doctors!

Sorry, it's a mouthful, but I needed to vent. This group (besides a few close, and understanding friends) is all I have in knowing that I'm not alone, I'm not the only one going through this and that I'm not some nasty person for having gotten this disease! My appologies to anyone I may have offended! Have a good weekend everyone!

Melissa-

Hi darlin, welcome to the group! Let me start by saying, condoms are never 100% with ANY std. HPV is more likely than others to be transmitted because there's a greater likely hood of skin to skin contact since a condom does not cover the base of the penis or the testicles, which can and do come into contact with our..."woman hood". When I was diagnosed I sat down, looked at my timeline since my last "normal pap smear", and came to the conclusion that it was my ex. I talked to him, to tell him I had this, and he informed me (3months after having slept with him, that he had a bump on his penis, but a friend who was a medic in the army gave him some creme and it went away, he "thought nothing of it"). I talked to my GYN about it, because I wanted to make sure before pointing fingers at anyone for having given it to me. She more or less told me it's a Pissing contest. It could've been anyone at any time. Just because the evidence points to it, doesn't mean that's who it
is or when it happened. After she put that in perspective for me.....I quit annylizing it to death on where it came from and who gave it to me.....and just started to focus on the fact that I have it, I probably won't get rid of it, and I need to deal with and do what I need to do to be "healthy" from here on out.

As my GYN said to me......you can sit and wallow in self pitty all day, which does nothing to help ur mental state.....and being physically and mentally stressed and drained can set off the HPV and keep it "active". She recommended some things to incorporate into my diet (like dk Green veggies), a vitamin B complex suppliment (which helps with things from your metabolism to depression to your immune system), and just general good rest/exercise/and diet.

Hope this helps, and feel free to e-mail me personally or e-mail the group. We're all here to support and help each other out when we're feelin down!

Hi Everyone,
Since I received the upsetting news six months ago I keep worrying
that I may pass on the virus to someone else. What really annoys me
is that I practiced safe sex but a slip up on a condom changed
everything. I learned from many sex education classes that if my
partner is wearing a condom the chances of obtaining an STD are very
slim. I consistently think if that quick moment was the cause of the
infection. It may have been from another encounter but I found out I
was infected a few weeks after this sexual encounter and my last
gynecology visit a few months earlier did not detect the virus in my
pap smear. The "what-ifs" only ruin my day and I try not to dwell on
the past and manage my present. Unfortunately, I am reluctant to
become involved with someone and reveal my dirty secret.
Here is my question how many people are currently in a relationship
when did you tell your partner about the virus? Has anyone
transmitted the virus to someone despite using condoms, and dental
dams?
Melissa

These are not outdated, in fact more recent sensitive DNA testing
(Line Blot) substantiates this information further despite what
others might say (some of these links don't wrap correctly, you will
need to copy and paste entire link, thank you):
"Experts no longer think that HPV is a chronic lifetime virus. HPV
infections of the anogenital tract are usually transient and cleared
to undetectable levels in short duration. Low-risk HPV infections
spontaneously clear more readily than high-risk types."
www.advancefornp.com/common/editorial/PrintFriendly.aspx?CC=7415
"The majority of folks who get HPV infected (human papilloma virus,
wart virus) will actually ELIMINATE the virus completely from the
body. These studies were performed in college woman in which it was
shown that many got HPV infected and then cleared the infection.
However, some folks will just suppress the virus so that the HPV
genes are still in the cell. For others, the HPV will actively
replicate. So many scenarios are possible. HIV-positive patients are
more likely NOT to eliminate the HPV virus from their bodies, when
compared to HIV-negative folks".
www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/Cancer/Archive/cervical/Q145923.html
"Surgical treatment of CIN usually results in clearance of HPV
infection within 3 months"
http://www.greenjournal.org/cgi/content/abstract/100/5/965
"Studies have shown that 70% of new HPV infections clear within one
year, as many a 91% clear within two years. The median duration of
new infections is typically eight months"
http://www.cdc.gov/std/HPV/2004HPV%20Report.pdf
"So my practical take-home message is that after several months with
no wart recurrence normal pap, the person can consider him/herself
cured; this is practically true if not always biologically true. Such
persons probably transmit HPV to future partners rarely, if ever.
Accordingly, I do not consider it ethically mandatory, or even
recommended, that every person who ever has had HPV must henceforth
and forever tell future partners they once were infected. There has
been too much hype about HPV and its dangers. Catching HPV is normal,
it happens to almost all of us. Don't lose sleep over it."
"Bottom line: Although HPV can persist, in most persons the most
infections are controlled by the immune system and most experts
believe they are truly cured. For "quick and dirty" responses by
clinicians like me, the evidence is good enough to say "cure" and to
reassure our patients accordingly"
H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Professor of Medicine at the University
of Washington and Visiting Scientist at the Division of STD
Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/STD/messages/C281-5.html
http://books.mcgraw-hill.com/getbook.php?
isbn=0070260338&template=medical
"Most people (up to 90%) who test positive for HPV with very
sensitive tests for HPV (polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and Hybrid
Capture® II) will become HPV negative on the same tests within 6-24
months from first testing positive. This is due to an effective
immune response to HPV."
http://www.arhp.org/healthcareproviders/onlinepublications/clinicalpro
ceedings/cc_introduction.cfm?ID=95#
"In almost all cases, the immune system will keep the HPV virus
(including the cancer-related HPV types) under control or get rid of
it completely."
http://www.ashastd.org/hpvccrc/
"The average duration of HPV infection was eight months. Repeated HPV
DNA testing showed that seventy percent of the women cleared their
HPV infections within one year through the natural immune process,
and only nine percent continued to be infected after two years.
Another study conducted in Sweden supported these findings, with a
five-year clearance rate of 92 percent"
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/library/sti/011120_hpv.html
Current treatment protocols allow a 95% cure rate by easily
applicable outpatient treatment modalities.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?
cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1330920&dopt=Abstract
"On one hand, this infection is more often than not transient and
asymptomatic and induces an effective immunity which allows the
infection cure; This clearance is the consequence of host immunity
intervention which leads to spontaneous regression of infection and
of the overwhelming majority of low grade squamous intraepithelial
lesions (more than 80% within a period of two years)"
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?
cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11910884&dopt=Abstract
Center for Disease Control facts:
1. Sexually active persons between the ages of 15 and 49 get at least
one HPV infection (about 80 percent of Americans) at some point in
their lives.
2. At any given time, somewhere around 20 - 40 million Americans are
infected with sexually transmitted types of HPV.
3. DNA testing has proven that 70% of new HPV infections clear within
one year, and as many as 91% clear within two years, in most cases
your immune system will eventually cleanse your body of the virus.
4. By age 50, at least 80 percent of women will have acquired genital
HPV infection.
5. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each
year.
6. Over a typical college career approximately 60% of sexually active
women will become infected.
7. HPV tends to be a transient infection in the majority of women,
even those who are considered at high risk for cervical cancer.
8. Almost every single American, including children, has HPV-1.

Hpvgyngalinfo and her 6 other aliases are all part of larger scheme to
spread abstinence teaching, please read my initial post carefully and
you will see what I am talking about, of course she will deny
everything. I apologize if I have monopolized your discussion group,
but it's important for other users to be aware of these scare tactics,
take it or leave it, I have no agenda other than to present medical
science and facts, and I'm personally appalled that HPV users
(especially teens who are just discovering they have it) are being
subjected to this propoganada and fear mongering. Please seek out
other sources for your HPV support, not public internet forums. Thanks
for listening and again my apologies for intruding...
A good place to start for information is hpvforum.com, this is recent
information (1st quarter 2005) although she will state that it's
outdated, which is not true, CDC's next report to Congress will verify
this.

HPV Replication Breakthrough
UAB Synopsis, Vol. 23, No. 21, May 31, 2004
UAB Research Offers New Antiviral Targets
UAB researchers have discovered the mechanism by which a common virus
replicates and remains in the human body for decades. Human
papillomavirus (HPV), a family of more than 100 related viruses, is
responsible for a host of medical conditions, ranging from benign
hand and foot warts to genital warts, cervical cancer, and recurrent
respiratory papillomatosis, a potentially fatal pediatric disease.
At least 15,000 new cases of cervical or penile cancer are attributed
to HPV each year in the United States, with nearly 5,000 deaths.
Worldwide, 600,000 cases occur annually, especially in developing
countries without medical diagnostic methods such as Papanicolaou
smear screening, which can detect cervical cancer and precancer early
enough for aggressive treatment.
In a recent Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
(101;12:4030-4035), the research team reports that a papillomaviral
replication protein known as E2 binds the circular viral DNA to cell
structures called spindle fibers, which normally assure the
distribution of cellular chromosomes to the daughter cells. By
latching onto the spindle fibers of the cell as it divides,
replicating HPV DNA molecules also stream into each new daughter
cell, where they continue to replicate and persist indefinitely.
Associating with Mitotic Spindles
"In effect, HPV is able to mimic our own chromosomes, behaving as a
sort of 'mini-chromosome,' independently replicating and keeping pace
as the cellular chromosomes replicate and the cell divides," says
Thomas Broker, PhD, UAB professor of biochemistry and molecular
genetics, coauthor of the paper, and president of the International
Papillomavirus Society. "This allows the virus to remain in our
bodies indefinitely, with the potential of causing serious disease
years, even decades, after first exposure." Dr. Broker notes that
virtually all people carry at least one type of HPV for much of their
lives, usually transmitted to the external skin very early in life or
to the internal mucosal lining later during sexual contact. For most,
the virus persists at low levels without causing obvious disease, and
the immune system keeps it in check. "However, in some people, the
virus becomes activated and causes lesions, particularly if the
infected tissue is repeatedly injured or the person experiences
significant emotional or physical stress, pregnancy,
immunosuppressive therapy, progressing HIV/AIDS, and even normal
aging.
"This is a major breakthrough in our quest to find ways to treat the
myriad conditions associated with HPV," says Louise Chow, PhD, UAB
professor of biochemistry and molecular genetics and coauthor of the
paper. "This work improves our understanding of the mechanisms the
virus uses to reproduce. We now have new molecular targets to aim at
for antiviral drug discovery." HPV's special mechanism for attaching
itself to the mitotic spindles and getting pulled into the daughter
cells has not been observed with other families of viruses, according
to Dr. Chow.
The publication's first author is Brian A. Van Tine, and the project
formed part of his PhD thesis. Van Tine is currently completing his
medical training at UAB, supported in part by the Medical Student
Training Program, for the combined MD/ PhD degree. The U.S. Public
Health Service and the National Cancer Institute funded the research.
More Information on Dr. Broker can be found at The International
Papilloma Society www.ipvsoc.org
http://138.26.61.118/depts/MEB/SOMResearchFaculty/currentfacultydata.a
sp?ID=tbroker
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=search&DB=pubmed

Can you sight the information about HPV that you have provided? I'm not sticking up for GynGal, but I'm sure everyone will agree with me, that we want to make sure the information you are giving us in reference to HPV is true. I've been told by 3 different GYNs that HPV does not go away. It goes undetected, but you have it for life. I am aware of the "popularity" (for lack of better wording), of the disease and the fact that a majority of the population has one form of HPV or another. I just want to see sources since 3 different doctors have told me other wise.

GynGal is an admitted proponent of the Bush Administration Abstinence
Program, please take that into account when considering any
information in her posts. Most of it is biased propaganda with a
religious and political agenda, including quotes from their own
pamphlet ("HIV is spread through tears and sweat", women who have
abortions are "prone to suicide" and "condoms fail to prevent HIV
transmission as often as 31 percent of the time in heterosexual
intercourse"). She will present herself in a very professional, soft-
spoken, articulate and supportive way, but this is just a smoke
screen, don't fall for it. She is not a doctor, scientist, therapist
or an expert on HPV, just an anonymous user on an internet web forum
who spends her days trolling for news articles that she can
manipulate and skew into validating her points. She has persistent
HPV (9% suffer this) and is just trying to atone for her bad luck by
redeeming herself with abstinence lecturing and bogus scare tactics.
In previous posts she has lectured members about promiscuity, out of
wedlock sex, the evils of birth control and the Administration's
abstinence agenda. In addition, further review of her professional
looking "news releases" shows studies underwritten by abstinence
advocacy groups, religious organizations and political action groups
masquerading as reputable medical sources. One source in particular,
Dr. Broker of the Papilloma Society, is only a laboratory scientist
and NOT involved in the epidemiology or clinical aspects of HPV
research. She will deny everything I've stated but it is all 100%
true, and I have the posts and e-mails to prove it. She will also
act like she is being attacked, is a `victim' and calmly reassure you
with her viable sources. It's nonsense.

Hi Group.
It's been a while since I last posted. First off, I want to remind everyone that approximately 60-80% of the population has HPV!!! How many of us forget that?
Second: Has anyone tried using regular wart stuff? I can't remember the name of it but it's used for regular warts and can be purchased over the counter.
Third: I tried something novel yesterday... I joined a normal dating site and said in my profile that I have HPV! I figure there are a lot of women out there with HPV who are afraid to say it up front and this will make my profile more attractive because it saves them from "the talk." I figure it's worth a try? Wish me luck.
Hang in there everyone. This is an ugly disease but, like ugly itself, it's only skin deep :)
Bob

If u are worried about your parents finding out you can go some where like Planned Parenthood or the local public health clinic to get checked. You just tell them when u make the appt. that you have some bumps you want checked to rule out genital warts. You very well may have been exposed to the HPV (granted it's hpv at all), before this boyfriend of yours. It took 8 months after I was diagnosed before the 1 wart I've had showed up!

The best advice I can give you right now is to take one thing at a time, because it can be alot to swallow all at once. I promise you this, there's lots of us here to talk to, and your GYN will become ur best friend, because you will have questions out the rear, and they are the best person to ask!!! But call Planned parenthood or public health and find out if they're even warts! When I was 18 I had a bump ( and i was a virgin so I didn't know what was up), but I went and got it checked and it turned out to be a skin tag (kind of like a mole). I've even gotten ansy over razor bumps before. But, one thing at a time.....and just take a deep breath!

About the virginity thing....I was 20 when I lost mine.....my parents were disappointed as well but you know what...I pointed out to them that at least I waited that long. There are little girls not even old enough to have a period out having sex!!! I was ready when I lost mine (although I do regret the guy I chose to give it to), and that was all that mattered.

Hope this helps!

Nikki

Your story sounds a lot like mine (except for that I don't have a
clue who I got the HPV from). I went through a 'slut phase' too, and
I honestly can't remember if I used a condom with more than a couple
of the guys. About 6 months after all that ended (because I had a car
accident that forced me change my habits), I found out I had an HPV
string that causes warts/leisons. Well, that all cleared up and
hardly ever comes back now.. but then about 3 1/2 years after
the 'phase', I had an abnormal pap along with a soo painfil biopsy
and colposcopy. I guess I have both low and high risk, but I don't
know if I got them at the same time or what. When I had the abnormal
pap, I had been engaged for a little over a year. I had to tell him
about it and that he had it... all over the computer cause he was
deployed overseas with the Navy.
You're definately right that it's hard telling guys about the
disease, but it doesn't always turn out bad.. it it's the right
person. I've had a couple of guys not be totally freaked out about
it, but then it didn't last anyway cause I'm single once again :( I
guess we probably do all have this for a 'reason', and we just have
to deal with it somehow. I know by my having it that some other
people close to me have learned about the disease and how to try and
avoid it as best as possible. Before I found out I had it, I hadn't
even heard of HPV. So maybe all of us having it will prompt for a lot
more research to be done.. and who knows, maybe a vaccine against the
disease someday.

Barbara-

Hi I'm Nicole. I was diagnosed a year ago. After I FINALLY found a GYN that knew what the hell she was doing and talking about, the HPV didn't seem to bother me so much. She actually made me feel like a human and did not "judge" me for having an STD. As I told the group before ( and will share with you), my story has that "life is not fair" feel to it.

A few years ago I had a bad car accident and my life fell apart from it, and I inturn let myself go. I went through a REALLY bad, as I call it, "Slut Phase". I was sleeping with alot of random people. I finally woke up and realize what I was doing to myself. So I quit having sex, I went totally abstinent for 8 months. I went away to college, which helped with the abstinence. I didn't know anyone, I didn't go out or anything like that. I had a pap done part way through my "abstinence kick" and everything was AOK.....My ex came home from Iraq, and I made the mistake of sleeping with him. He sweet talked me into thinking he wanted to get back together. I figured out otherwise a couple days later when I found out he was engaged and sleeping around. I let it go, thought nothing of it. I'd had unprotected sex with him numerous times in the past (after all he was my boyfriend)....and nothing had ever come of it. A few months went by, and I had gone back to being
abstinent again. I went for my next pap in March, and it came back abnormal. I prayed and prayed it wasn't HPV. (A friend of mine from college worked at the Planned Parenthood I went to, and she told me what the abnormal pap meant.) Well, in May after a repeat pap showed to be abnormal again, I went and had the colposcopy and biopsy done and was disgnosed. I was Furiouse with life, and God, mostly my ex. I had worked at changing my life around, not sleeping around and what not. Now I know I could've had it for a long time and not known it. But, everything points to that one night with my ex. Given my pap had been normal up until after I had slept with him.

It took a long time for me to be ok. I still have my days where I beat myself up over it. I can't help but think that I could've had a couple really decent guys for boyfriends if it weren't for this shit! (excuse the french). U'll hear alot of people say it's a gift in the sence that if someone really likes you and cares for you they won't care that U have this......that's not true. Some people just don't car