HPV Support Group

Hey,

We have all been in your exact position before. You have come to the exact place you should be, you will receive tons of support here from wonderful people, we are all here for each other on DS! I am very sorry that you have HPV, it is definitely earth shattering the first time you hear that you have it. It took me over a year before I came to terms with it. I thought I was the dirtiest person alive, that I would never find love or companionship again. I felt that no woman in the world would ever want to be with me again. Until I came on DS, and discovered so many people just like me who have been stricken with HPV. Did you know that almost 80% of the female population will have some form of HPV by the time they are 50? I couldn't tell you how many men since alot of men don't even show any symptoms. I'm not trying to make light of your situation but just know that you are so not alone!

There are some things you need to focus on. You must try to be as healthy as possible, take your vitamins, eat proper, excercise, don't smoke, whatever you do, don't smoke! You should also ask your doctor to refer you to a specialist, a sexual health clinic or a dermatologist. They will be better informed and better equipped to deal with your situation. Should genital warts appear you will need to see someone with the right equipment to treat it.

About your new guy, this is a very tough situation and I feel so bad for you that you now have to question where this all started from. HPV and genital warts can take anywhere from 3 weeks to many years to show up in your system after infection. It is possible that he gave it to you or that you've been carrying this around for years and had no idea. If he has it it's entirely possible that he has no idea. I myself did not know, I had two very small bumps on the side of my penis that turned out to be genital warts. I infected my ex gf and was completely devastated by it. It has caused me to turn anyone interested down until my treatments are completed. Unfortunately for me I have had reoccurences of GW's so I've been battling this for over 2 years now. I'm not discouraged though, I know I will beat this. Positive attitude will save you! You must believe that you can do it!

Please write me or just make a post any time you need advice or just need to vent. Someone will be there for you. There are so many wonderful people here who all have their own stories, I'm sure you can benefit from hearing about other peoples battles with HPV. I know it has been huge in my mental and physical recovery from this infection. Good luck to you and please, feel free whenever you need to talk.

Ryan

Isn't it weird that when you ask to be tested for STD's they just do Chlamydia and Ghonarhea? I had to specifically ask for a HPV test to get it done even that's the most common std to have...I just don't get it. Everyone goes on and on about how common it is yet I didn't know ANYTHING about it until I got it. I think it should be a standardized test along with every pap, normal or not. No one is talking about it because it's an STD, no one like sharing STD news unfortunately : (

Anyway, you are definitely not alone! Most of our Doctors act unconcerned and pretty vague when it comes to telling you what's going on. It's good you're having the colposcopy to get a better idea of what it's doing to your body. Where you go from here....do as much immune boosting as you possibly can. Take good vitamins, eat lots of antioxident rich fruits and veggies, protein, don't smoke or drink and stay active.

Even thought Docotrs aren't always helpful in handling our emotional stress about the topic, they do know what they are doing so trust in them and their ability to keep you from actually getting cancer. Most likely they will take one or more tissue samples (biopsy's) during your Colp to determine what level these abnormal cells are at.

Take one day and a time...you'll get through it. I would tell the guy you are dating about your abnormal pap and then ultimately break the news, we've all had to do it : ( Ya just gotta hope and pray that they take it in the best way possible. Most guys will worry more about the fact that they might have given it to you! Good luck and keep us updated : )

Hey freakedoutsc,

I am in the EXACT same situation as you. I met this great guy and we started being intimate. about a month after we had become intimate I had some pains "down there" so I went into the doctor and I was diagnosed with HPV HIgh risk and low risk ( I have a few warts at the opening of my vagina). It sucks because I think he may have given it to me but I'm also worried that maybe I could have given it to him and I just don't know......I'm scared to tell him because he is very freaked out by STD's and is SOOOOO certain he's never had any (his ignorance sometimes really pisses me off) ...so I don't know what to do either.

But I guess unless he shows any symptoms I don't know if I will tell him right away because as a male unless he has visible warts he can't be tested....so I don't want to freak him out if he has no way of finding out if he has it for sure....but I really think he gave it to me since he's been with ALOT of girls. I guess it's up to you.

If you want to talk more I would love to....I know we can get through this...keep your body strong, and hopefully our immune system will kick this :)

The others gave good advice. Just wanted to let you know you're in my thoughts. This is a great place for support. Hang in there,k. ~hugs~

THANKS FOR ALL THE SUPPORT :-)