Thursday, 23 September 2010

• HPV: Separating the Myths from the Facts

  

  As every ad for the HPV vaccine has been telling us these days, HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, is a disease that can cause cervical cancer in women. If you're like me, the idea of visiting your gynecologist haunts your dreams. (I'm totally exaggerating... it's not that bad. I'm just a baby.)

  However, when it comes down to it, all sexually active girls need to realize how serious being tested for the virus is for the sake of our health.

  Don't think you're at risk? How's this for a statistic: "Among those ages 15-49, only one in four Americans has not had a genital HPV infection."

  That means that 3 out of every 4 Americans has, at some point in this wide age range, been infected with HPV.
  

  So you'd think we'd all know a ton about it, right? The truth is, there are lots of myths out there about this common STD.

   

   

  Like most viruses, HPV comes in different strains and forms. We focus on its prevention and the treatment of its symptoms because, if a strain is strong enough, it can cause cervical cancer in women. Want to see what it looks like? Just google HPV and look at some of the pictures that appear. I doubt my editors would want those pictured here, but they're eye opening to say the least.
  

  Why screen for it regularly if it can look like that? That's easy: it's often symptom free. No symptoms mean that for some women, the virus is found too late, and they may find themselves in a progressed stage of cervical cancer.

  Here, from the American Social Health Association, are just 3 myths about HPV--

  Myth: In a monogamous relationship, an HPV diagnosis means someone has cheated.

  We all know that casual, one night stand, unprotected sex is not the best way to prevent ourselves from getting an STD. However, as obvious as this may sound, please girls, remember that just because you're on the pill and your boyfriend promises you he's clean does not mean he actually is.

  The ASHA website explains, "Most people who are infected with genital HPV never know it; their virus does not call attention to itself in any way. In most cases, a person is diagnosed with HPV only because some troubling symptom drove him or her to a health care professional, or some abnormality was revealed in the course of a routine exam."

  Therefore, it is always important to get tested before ever having unprotected sex, even with your soulmate.

  Myth: Lesbians don't need to be tested for HPV.

  Surprisingly enough, it is not the act of vaginal and penal intercourse alone that causes the spread of this disease. HPV can be transmitted through oral contact, as well as hand to genital contact, placing all sexual orientations at risk for contracting the virus.

  Myth: If I've always used condoms, I'm not at risk for HPV.

  After clearing up the last myth, this one shouldn't be too surprising. Although condoms are definitely effective in helping prevention, they are not the be all end all for avoiding HPV, even if you and your partner only have vaginal intercourse.

  ASHA goes on to say, "The reason is simply that condoms do not cover the entire genital area of either sex. They leave the vulva, anus, perineal area, base of the penis, and scrotum uncovered, and contact between these areas can transmit HPV. Spermicides probably do not stop HPV. In lab studies, spermicides failed to kill the human papillomavirus."

  You can learn more about HPV by visiting http://www.ashastd.org/hpv/hpv_learn.cfm 

  Although controversial, there are vaccines on the market for the virus, most notably Gardasil, which despite its serious side affects in some women, is still recommended by pediatricians for girls under 24 years of age. Talk to your doctor about the shot, because I'm not a medical whiz and I wouldn't dare try to do your doctor's job on this one.

  OK Datingish ladies, what are your thoughts on HPV and prevention? Any advice for girls just beginning the gynecological process?

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