Does anyone know about HPV and how long it stays in the body/ what my risks are?

I don't think he had had sex for a year though, he has been seeing me for months we haven't had sex yet.

Im scared of getting an sti. I would always use a condom but what I mainly worried about is HPV since this can be caught with protection even. I'm too old to get vaccinated even though I've never had sex before. What I want to know though is how does hpv infection work..I mean it's likely he has had lots of strains of it (low risk and high risk) in his past so does this mean I will be at risk of catching all these hpv strains from him? Or will he likely have cleared most hpv strains if he hasn't had sex in 6 months? It's ok for him, I'm a 'clean' virgin but he could have caught all sorts in his past lol.

They don't test for hpv so I'm just trying to protect myself. Is his sexual history a good enough reason to refuse sex with him? Or am I over worrying? I'm concerned about the risk of cervical cancer and oral cancer from hpv in particular because I use a steroid nasal spray all year round (nasonex) which might lower my oral immunity/make me less likely to clear hpv..

Have you asked about whether he's seeing / being sexual with anyone else? If I had to bet, I'd be putting my money on 'yes'.



Have you tried talking to a sexual health clinic about being vaccinated? Given your virginity, they may or may not think it's a good idea. Either way, for cervical cancer, smear tests are your friend, and if you smoke or drink, you have far bigger risks for oral cancers there.

Usually the body gets rid of a HPV infection by itself, but sometimes it doesn't. Whoever discovers why and how to get rid of them in everyone is going to win prizes or become rather rich or, most likely, both.



Everyone has their own place on the risk / reward scale, so only you know if it's a good enough reason or if you're over worrying.

Do you actually want to have sex with him?

Personally, I would be a bit concerned that the sex you want to have (with a condom) doesn't seem to be the sort he would like to have (without).

Wait and get to know him better. It might feel exciting right now and worth the risk but if it all falls apart in the next few months, you could look back and regret things. You're unlikely to get an hpv vaccination, possibly better chance out with the nhs. I would consider asking him to get tested for the usual suspects before you have sex together...and consider researching hpv tests (not currently offered by nhs I don't think).


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HPV is really common. The chances are that if you are sexually active, you probably have it. (3/4 of women get it in their life time)
It is not usually a problem.

I will be more worried about HIV..etc.
Unprotected sex when you are not married or in a serious long term relationship should be avoided at all cost!


Posted from TSR Mobile

Yea of course I'd always insist on protection to avoid hiv etc. The reason I'm worried about hpv is because it can be caught even with protection and this man has had many sexual partners in his life along with unprotected sex, therefore he has likely come into contact with an high risk hpv strain. I don't think he has had sex in a year though so I was wondering how long does it take hpv strains to clear. Or once someone is infected are they usually always contagious to another?

He sees me most days /nights so I would have to be extremely cynical to think that he was seeing someone else

I suppose Im wondering whereabouts i stand on the risk benefit scale compared with others...with him having had many sexual partners during his life. Im unsure if if more towards the 'risk taker' end or the hypochondriac end. I would insist on him using a condom thats a no brainer for me, in fact i bought some extra safe durex ones just in case lol.

I want to try sex with him (otherwise he wont want a relationship and i do!) but Ive just not decided whether its worth the health risks. I just think to myself im nice and clean now and it would be a shame to get infected with something lol.