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HPV - Can You Rule It Out?

I never even heard of HPV, until one day at the doctor’s office, I came across a fact sheet that talked about it. It said HPV was short for human papillomavirus, and that it’s a virus that over 9 million young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 currently have.
The fact sheet told me that for most women, HPV clears on its own. But what really got me was that for some women, certain types of the virus can cause different consequences now and in the future. Things like cervical cancer, abnormal cervical cells, and genital warts. The cervical cancer part is also very interesting because, even though most women are older when they get the disease, many probably got HPV in their teens or 20s.

When I learned this, I asked my doctor to tell me everything. And believe me, there was plenty to tell.

Intercourse is not necessary to get genital HPV. In fact, anyone who has any kind of sexual activity involving genital contact with someone who has HPV can get it. And HPV is easily transmitted, so any exposure puts you at risk. Also, there are often no warning signs or symptoms—so you or anybody else could have HPV and not even know it. This is another reason why it spreads so easily.

The only way to prevent genital HPV is to avoid sexual activity involving genital contact. My doctor told me condoms can help reduce the risk.

My doctor also told me that it’s important for young women my age to get Pap tests. Because that’s the only way you can tell if your cervical cells are abnormal and if there’s cause for concern.

Before this, I had never even heard of HPV. Now I sort of feel like I’m a little bit of an expert. And you know what? It feels better when you know.

Questions to ask your doctorReady to talk to your doctor about HPV and its link to cervical cancer, abnormal cervical cells, and genital warts? Take these questions with you to your next appointment to help you start a conversation with your doctor.

Questions for your doctor:


1. How can I know if I have HPV?

2. How often should I be having Pap tests?

3. How do Pap tests help prevent cervical cancer?

- http://hpv.com/human-papillomavirus/hpv-yaf.html