Hpv?!

[Aders]

Hi! I had my annual pap spear this morning. That was fun!

So, before the actual 'test' began this morning, the doctor reviewed my history that I had at that clinic. She noted that in 2007, I had abnormal results to my pap spear. I asked her what that meant and she told me it meant I had HPV. She continued studying my history and I just sat there like what? I've seen the HPV vaccaination commercials but I don't really know what it is. She then asked me if I was in a monogomous relationship, I said yes, for four years. And then she asked if I had any other sexual partners. I haven't. My boyfriend has. So, she says very calmly, then you got it from him. I'm totally stunned at this point. So, I contracted an STD from my boyfriend of 4 years, 3 years ago? So, basically this doctor didn't really make me feel like I could ask questions, so I did what any person would do when they have a difficult question to ask, I searched the internet.

What I found is that HPV can be dormant for days, weeks, even years. So, that doesn't really mean my boyfriend cheated on me. And, honestly I trust that he didn't (can't say I wasn't freaking out at first). I think that I still need to ask that question of him though. And then how do I tell him that he is the one who gave it to me? Advice would be helpful.

So, I've had regular checkups ever year. And I've hadto several different doctors, nurse practicioners since I became sexually active. I'm not really sure what they tested me for, some where very open, others weren't. I've never been told that anything was abnormal. It's a very erabarrasing time and I just want to get it over with, put my clothes on, and leave. I always forget the questions I have.

The doctor told me I should check back and 2 weeks and make sure that the results were clean. And believe me I will. I doon't have warts that I can see. I'm hoping that it cleared up on its on.

I'm just really sorta confused and panicy and I don't know what to tell my boyfriend. And I'm angry.

Any advice is welcomed!

 

[pfe]

There are many strains of HPV, most strains do not cause warts nor cervical cancer, and most will clear up on their own. Most women will contract HPV at some point in their lives (I think ~80%), but since the immune system often takes care of it, they often never know they had it.

The doctor should have explained to you that having an abnormal PAP last time doesn't mean your boyfriend cheated. If he gave you HPV, it definitely could have come from a relationship he had before he was with you.

You may have a normal PAP smear this time, and everything will be fine. If they are abnormal again, be sure you are very clear about treatment options and testing. You may want to be under the care of a gynecologist rather than primary doctor.

Write down your questions so you won't forget to ask them.

Request paper copies of the results of both this PAP smear and the last one. (You might have to fill out a special request or pay a fee for them, but it's important to always have copies of your lab work.) If you had abnormal results two years ago, you should have been notified back then (did your contact information change?) When you go for your follow-up appointment, consider asking your doctor why you weren't notified of your abnormal results when they occurred and be sure to get copies of all results, old and new.

Don't be angry at your boyfriend. Unless he had visible warts, there would be no way for him to know he had HPV. People can carry it and transmit it and never know. Like I said, most sexually active people will contract it and never have symptoms or any problems because of it.

If you do end up having it, there are tests now to determine whether you have a high-risk strain (a strain that could lead to cervical cancer.) That is getting ahead of ourselves, though. But if you do have it, ask about getting this testing done to determine whether it's a high risk strain.

By the way, you can have an abnormal PAP for reasons other than HPV (for example, due to pregnancy.) And then you can go on to have normal PAPs for the rest of your life. Hopefully that's what will happen!

It would be helpful if we knew exactly what the lab report said.

Best of luck.