Scary little known fact about sex

[LostInMyThoughts]

I got bored and I stumbled accross this little known fact.

 

Of all sexually active people, over 75% are estimated to have contracted human papilloma virus (HPV) at some point in their lives. It can cause warts, either on the genitals or in other places.

 

Thats a crazy statistic.

 

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[darkblue]

And it's on the increase.

 

People need to be more cautious with sex, and less self-conscious when it comes to getting checked out.

[BellaDonna]

Some people never develop warts from HPV-and as a result don't even know they have HPV. What makes it especially dangerous for woman is that they have a higher risk of developing cervical cancer if they contract HPV (even if they don't show symptoms or develop warts)

 

That statistic doesn't surprise me that much because I've seen the way this unfolds first hand. 2 of my female friends were in long-term committed relationships, and decided they wanted to go on the pill and not use condoms anymore. Both ended up contracting HPV from their boyfriends (the boyfriends never knew they had it). They are no longer with them anymore either- so now each guy new they meet- they have to tell about their STD. HPV never really goes away. I'd say it's the 3rd worst STD to contract other than HIV and Herpes. I figure if 2 people in my own circle of friends got it- then the national statistics must be quite bad.

 

One of my friends with HPV needed surgery last year because she had cancerous cells show up after her pap smear. She was devastated. All this because of not wanting to use a condom and not getting her partner tested before having sex.

 

I think if couples are in committed relationships and trust one another and want to use just birth control pills and not comdoms, then they need to get tested together before they do so, and also be tested regularly after that.

 

I also remember learning a statistic that 1 in 4 people over age 12 has herpes.

 

 

 

It's scary when you see all the people in society ,and on this forum even- who don't use protection and treat sex so nonchalently. It's just a matter of time before some of them will become part of those disturbing statistics.

 

BellaDonna

[RayKay]

I got bored and I stumbled accross this little known fact.

 

Of all sexually active people, over 75% are estimated to have contracted human papilloma virus (HPV) at some point in their lives. It can cause warts, either on the genitals or in other places.

 

Thats a crazy statistic.

 

 

Yup, I have known this for a while, and often refer to it in many of the posts on here. In fact, the risk is higher for woman - 80% of women will have contracted HPV by the time they are 50.

 

However, you are a bit off in what it is exactly - not all HPV causes warts. There are MANY strains of HPV. Some cause warts, some cause lesions, some have no symptoms. One strain is one of the big factors that leads to cervical cancer in woman, and there have also been some evidence that it can also cause penile cancer in men. The latter is a concerning one especially as there are no symptoms, it is VERY easily transmitted, and many women do not regularly go get pap smears which can detect pre-cancerous conditions like this even when they are sexually active...but the fact is when men carry HPV they have NO idea as there are NO tests for HPV in this form in men. Many carry it and can infect partners without ever knowing.

[RayKay]

One of my friends with HPV needed surgery last year because she had cancerous cells show up after her pap smear. She was devastated. All this because of not wanting to use a condom and not getting her partner tested before having sex.

 

I think if couples are in committed relationships and trust one another and want to use just birth control pills and not comdoms, then they need to get tested together before they do so, and also be tested regularly after that

 

 

It would of been useless if their partners (men) got tested anyway, as there is no test for those HPV strains (that cause cervical cancer) in men at this point.

 

It's a risk that women must be aware of. If they choose not to use condoms with their committed partners, they MUST commit to going to regular pap smears to check on themselves since the men cannot be tested for it. If they cells are caught early (when they are considered pre-cancer) the risks are VERY low of it developing any further or reoccurring once treated, but many wait too long to go to regular check ups. Also, if caught early the surgeries are less invasive (ie laser) then they may be if more advanced (cone biopsies, or hysterectomies) adding infertility risks or overall health risks.

[Day_Walker]

I cant say that the statistic is crazy, given the proliferation of unprotected sex that takes place. There are multiple STIs that the symptoms dont show. You can protect yourself all you want but its still possible to contract STIs.

[BellaDonna]

It would of been useless if their partners (men) got tested anyway, as there is no test for those HPV strains (that cause cervical cancer) in men at this point.

 

Yikes.... even scarier!

 

Thanks for the info RayKay- I didn't know that. It's good to learn something new- I'm definitely passing that bit of info on to some of my friends and family.

 

 

BellaDonna

[LostInMyThoughts]

the standard birth control pill, is somewhat effective at protecting against cervical cancer.

 

There is a mucous membrane that protects the cervix. During ovulation, this wall thins to allow sperm a chance to reach the goal line. One of the ways the BCP works is by preventing the thining of this wall.

 

Also I believe all women who are sexually active should receive annual or biannual papsmears regardless if they use a condom or not.

 

Condoms are better than no protection, but HPV is spread by skin on skin contact, and unless your wearing a fullbody condom, it's tough to prevent contact.

[Shadows Light]

wow... this was a disturbing thread. I had no idea that HPV existed or that it was so prevalent. statistics being so high.

 

I think all women should go in once a year for a check up. Catching things quickly prevents further complication. There are many women who are afraid or too shy to go get a pap on a yearly basis. When I hear this from my GF... it surprises me. Its a doctor.. he see's female parts everyday, its his job. Yikes!!

[LostInMyThoughts]

There are many women who are afraid or too shy to go get a pap on a yearly basis.

 

Education is important. I think (for the US anyway) the US Government could do a better job of educating the masses on this type of stuff.

[BellaDonna]

Education is important. I think (for the US anyway) the US Government could do a better job of educating the masses on this type of stuff.

 

I agree. But right now the political climate does not allow for true education. It's reverting back to an abstinence-only model from the 1950's- and church and state are mixing. This only confuses things for most people, and also does not help those individuals that are going to be sexually active anyways. They are just more shameful about it, hide it more, and have less information on how to use condoms properly, etc.

 

 

BellaDonna