Recently, I noticed two small white bumps on my vulva. I am at low risk for STD's, but I freaked out anyway! After visiting a clinic, I learned that I had HPV, which of course, I thought was devastating. Instead, I quickly learned that HPV is or was present in up to 80% of women! At this point, I figured I would probably survive. :) It is very treatable and, after treatment, is likely to never reappear.
What did devastate me, was that I never learned about HPV. I always use condoms and don't engage in high-risk, so how could I have an STD?! It upset me that, although I considered myself an educated woman, I never even heard of! And, how is it possible that up to 80% of women have it and yet 70% of adult women say they've never heard of it?
I feel that websites like these are so important to get the word out to women and men about what HPV is and what to do if you ever notice a symptom. Why in the world I never learned about this in high school or college sex ed is beyond me. If you find an STD symptom, get it checked out for your peace of mind, and remember chances are, you're just fine! And I encourage women to talk openly about HPV. In this day in age, it's just a part of life.
Comments:
6/14/2003
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KN
Such websites are very important! Keep up the positive attitude...
6/22/2003
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Blue4Real
Thats great you are so poestive about that but.I may give you some advice I was raped at 14 and Was give hpv I'm healthy other wise don't smoke and HPV has been present for the last 14 yrs now. You can return and test negative and still have warts present. Stay safe and remember your never 100% safe.
THE VIRUS IS NOT TREATABLE THE SYMPTOMS IS
7/28/2003 8:20:47 PM
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JJ
What I don't understand is how nobody knows/knew that this virus was the most common STD out there!! I was completely ignorant of this one. I figured that if you couldn't see obvious bumps on a partner that this was one not to worry about. How wrong I was....
9/11/2003 12:00:42 AM
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Hi JJ. I agree with you completely. That's what irks me the most. I knew about HPV as I saw a horrible slide of one during a bioethics class at university but it wasn't part of sex ed and statistics of how common it was wasn't discussed. Don't you think people are focusing too much on HIV and ignoring non-fatal diseases like HPV. And look where the f*** it's got us. We've got the damn thing man.
10/14/2003 1:43:41 PM
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Jenene
can women give this virus to man in anyway? can we give it to them throw oral sex?
10/31/2003 2:10:02 PM
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curious
i just had unprotected sex about 2 and a half weeks ago, i now have an infection that burns when i pee, itches and i see tiny white bumps (4 or 5) in a row, do i have hpv?
