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Abnormal smear/colposcopy
I had read some other threads about smears a while ago on TSR but they are all closed now. I remember Jamie saying they aren't necessary anymore until age 25? I just have a few questions about them.
I was called for a smear when I turned 20 (2 years ago), shortly before the age was raised to 25. I was a virgin then and told to come back when I had had sex, so I went back when I was 21.5, a few months after I had lost my virginity. I had 3 'inflammatory' smears, which meant the lab couldn't tell if there were changes in my cervical cells, and I was sent for a colposcopy. I was shocked to be told I do have low grade abnormalities and evidence of HPV infection. The doctor was very abrupt and cold and made me feel very anxious - he told me to come back in 6 months for another colposcopy to see if the changes were better, the same or worse, in which case I would need treatment.
1) What if I had waited until I turned 25, as advised by the nurse at my uni clinic? (I only went for the smear cos I'm paranoid about my health) Would the abnormalities have likely cleared up on their own or would i have got cancer by then? I remember Jamie and Helenia saying something about 'false positives' - is that like this? Or I am one of the few who benefitted from being caught early?
2) I've been with 2 guys - my current boyfriend who has only been with 2 girls he thought were virgins, and a guy I was with once - that time a condom was used and we only had sex twice - was I just unlucky to get HPV from that? Or is it more likely that I got it from my bf, and one of his previous partners lied about her history?
I'm just a bit confused and scared and I'd appreciate any advice!
I was called for a smear when I turned 20 (2 years ago), shortly before the age was raised to 25. I was a virgin then and told to come back when I had had sex, so I went back when I was 21.5, a few months after I had lost my virginity. I had 3 'inflammatory' smears, which meant the lab couldn't tell if there were changes in my cervical cells, and I was sent for a colposcopy. I was shocked to be told I do have low grade abnormalities and evidence of HPV infection. The doctor was very abrupt and cold and made me feel very anxious - he told me to come back in 6 months for another colposcopy to see if the changes were better, the same or worse, in which case I would need treatment.
1) What if I had waited until I turned 25, as advised by the nurse at my uni clinic? (I only went for the smear cos I'm paranoid about my health) Would the abnormalities have likely cleared up on their own or would i have got cancer by then? I remember Jamie and Helenia saying something about 'false positives' - is that like this? Or I am one of the few who benefitted from being caught early?
2) I've been with 2 guys - my current boyfriend who has only been with 2 girls he thought were virgins, and a guy I was with once - that time a condom was used and we only had sex twice - was I just unlucky to get HPV from that? Or is it more likely that I got it from my bf, and one of his previous partners lied about her history?
I'm just a bit confused and scared and I'd appreciate any advice!
Scroll to see replies
Reply 1
20
Anonymous
I had read some other threads about smears a while ago on TSR but they are all closed now. I remember Jamie saying they aren't necessary anymore until age 25? I just have a few questions about them.
I was called for a smear when I turned 20 (2 years ago), shortly before the age was raised to 25. I was a virgin then and told to come back when I had had sex, so I went back when I was 21.5, a few months after I had lost my virginity. I had 3 'inflammatory' smears, which meant the lab couldn't tell if there were changes in my cervical cells, and I was sent for a colposcopy. I was shocked to be told I do have low grade abnormalities and evidence of HPV infection. The doctor was very abrupt and cold and made me feel very anxious - he told me to come back in 6 months for another colposcopy to see if the changes were better, the same or worse, in which case I would need treatment.
1) What if I had waited until I turned 25, as advised by the nurse at my uni clinic? (I only went for the smear cos I'm paranoid about my health) Would the abnormalities have likely cleared up on their own or would i have got cancer by then? I remember Jamie and Helenia saying something about 'false positives' - is that like this? Or I am one of the few who benefitted from being caught early?
2) I've been with 2 guys - my current boyfriend who has only been with 2 girls he thought were virgins, and a guy I was with once - that time a condom was used and we only had sex twice - was I just unlucky to get HPV from that? Or is it more likely that I got it from my bf, and one of his previous partners lied about her history?
I'm just a bit confused and scared and I'd appreciate any advice!
I was called for a smear when I turned 20 (2 years ago), shortly before the age was raised to 25. I was a virgin then and told to come back when I had had sex, so I went back when I was 21.5, a few months after I had lost my virginity. I had 3 'inflammatory' smears, which meant the lab couldn't tell if there were changes in my cervical cells, and I was sent for a colposcopy. I was shocked to be told I do have low grade abnormalities and evidence of HPV infection. The doctor was very abrupt and cold and made me feel very anxious - he told me to come back in 6 months for another colposcopy to see if the changes were better, the same or worse, in which case I would need treatment.
1) What if I had waited until I turned 25, as advised by the nurse at my uni clinic? (I only went for the smear cos I'm paranoid about my health) Would the abnormalities have likely cleared up on their own or would i have got cancer by then? I remember Jamie and Helenia saying something about 'false positives' - is that like this? Or I am one of the few who benefitted from being caught early?
2) I've been with 2 guys - my current boyfriend who has only been with 2 girls he thought were virgins, and a guy I was with once - that time a condom was used and we only had sex twice - was I just unlucky to get HPV from that? Or is it more likely that I got it from my bf, and one of his previous partners lied about her history?
I'm just a bit confused and scared and I'd appreciate any advice!
1) It's possible that if you waited till 25, the infection would have cleared up by itself - lots of them do, and even the next step up from that (CIN 1) can regress in about 70% of cases. In your case there were only slight changes and evidence of current infection, so with any luck it'll clear up by itself. It's very unlikely you'd have got cancer by the time you turn 25; given you'd not been having sex long at the time of the first one, your cervix could have not had much time to respond to the infection. It's not worth worrying about what COULD have happened, because you're in the system now and it's best for your own peace of mind that you continue to be followed up.
2) You'll never really be able to tell, to be honest. It has to have come from somewhere, and don't forget you can catch HPV from all kinds of sexual activity, not just full sex. The vast majority of people are infected at some point in their life, and the reasons why some people clear it and some don't are not fully understood.
Reply 2
17
There's a fair bit of information on PatientPlus website about this matter.
It is not advisable to rely on condoms to protect against the transmission of HPV.
http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/40001764/
It is not advisable to rely on condoms to protect against the transmission of HPV.
Contrary to popular belief, condoms provide very little protection against skin-to-skin contact transmissible diseases such as HPV and HSV (estimated at 0–30%).
http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/40001764/
Reply 3
I assumed I already have CIN 1 - he said 'mild changes'. Is it possible to have changes which are earlier than CIN 1? I was petrified he was going to tell me I already had cancer, as I've been bleeding after sex (been to the dr a million times and they still dont know what it is) but he didn't take a biopsy and didn't seem overly concerned - can I assume I don't have cancer? He said it could have worsened by the next appointment which I took to mean progressed to CIN 2, and then I'd need the procedure to burn the cells off. I asked if there was much chance of getting rid of the abnormalities but he couldn't say. He did say about 90% of people get rid of the virus without it ever causing any abnormalities in the first place, so I suppose I havent had the best luck? But there is a good chance of getting rid of even CIN 1 - that makes me feel a bit better.
Is there anything I can do to help to rid myself of them? My immune system is awful and I am prone to everything going - I've started taking iron supplements and trying to eat better, in the hope it may make a difference.
The dr seemed to think there was a much higher chance of getting it from my bf, since I've been with him for much longer, and a couple of times unprotected, but he said it's impossible for virgins to have HPV. Is it at all possible to get it from oral sex or fingering?
Is there anything I can do to help to rid myself of them? My immune system is awful and I am prone to everything going - I've started taking iron supplements and trying to eat better, in the hope it may make a difference.
The dr seemed to think there was a much higher chance of getting it from my bf, since I've been with him for much longer, and a couple of times unprotected, but he said it's impossible for virgins to have HPV. Is it at all possible to get it from oral sex or fingering?
Reply 4
17
Is it at all possible to get it from oral sex or fingering?
Since it is spread by 'skin-to-skin' contact, presumably it will be possible.
Do as much research as you can yourself on the web - there's a mine of information out there, including the link I provided.
Often, early cervical changes do not progress and are not apparent in subsequent smears.
I can see that you are very anxious, and I guess I would be in your position as well...but knowledge is power so make sure you know as much about HPV as possible.
Reply 5
20
Anonymous
I assumed I already have CIN 1 - he said 'mild changes'. Is it possible to have changes which are earlier than CIN 1? I was petrified he was going to tell me I already had cancer, as I've been bleeding after sex (been to the dr a million times and they still dont know what it is) but he didn't take a biopsy and didn't seem overly concerned - can I assume I don't have cancer? He said it could have worsened by the next appointment which I took to mean progressed to CIN 2, and then I'd need the procedure to burn the cells off. I asked if there was much chance of getting rid of the abnormalities but he couldn't say. He did say about 90% of people get rid of the virus without it ever causing any abnormalities in the first place, so I suppose I havent had the best luck? But there is a good chance of getting rid of even CIN 1 - that makes me feel a bit better.
Is there anything I can do to help to rid myself of them? My immune system is awful and I am prone to everything going - I've started taking iron supplements and trying to eat better, in the hope it may make a difference.
The dr seemed to think there was a much higher chance of getting it from my bf, since I've been with him for much longer, and a couple of times unprotected, but he said it's impossible for virgins to have HPV. Is it at all possible to get it from oral sex or fingering?
Is there anything I can do to help to rid myself of them? My immune system is awful and I am prone to everything going - I've started taking iron supplements and trying to eat better, in the hope it may make a difference.
The dr seemed to think there was a much higher chance of getting it from my bf, since I've been with him for much longer, and a couple of times unprotected, but he said it's impossible for virgins to have HPV. Is it at all possible to get it from oral sex or fingering?
Well, unless they told you what grade it was, it's useless to hypothesise - it might not even be CIN at all. If they didn't take a biopsy though, it's highly unlikely anything looked suspicious - otherwise they would have! Checking my book, it's actually not possible to tell what grade CIN you may or may not have without a biopsy - the smear just looks at how abnormal the cells they collect are, rather than the whole tissue. If it's only mild, and they chose not to take a biopsy at colposcopy, I'd be quite reassured. Following you up is standard practice, it doesn't mean you're definitely going to have got worse, and in many cases it's got better by itself.
As for getting rid of it yourself, beyond keeping yourself healthy (vitamin C etc) and not smoking (this is a big one!) there's not much more you can do.
And yes, you can get HPV from oral and fingering, or any skin-to-skin contact. This is why most of us get it at some time or another.
Reply 6
The sites I looked at seemed to suggest it was really only possible through intercourse, and the Dr said virgins can't have it, but of course you can be a virgin and have still had sexual contact. My bf was a bit grossed out by it (HPV) so I'd feel better thinking he'd given it to me, and also the first time was someone who'd taken advantage of me by spiking my drink so I hate the idea that I could have long term health problems because of that incident.
The Dr said there were a few red spots on my cervix which made him think it was a current HPV infection - does that make it likely I got it recently? Or would 'recently' also count as 18 months ago?
I feel a bit better knowing it is very common though - apparently only 1% of women who have no screening whatsoever go on to develop cervical cancer so having caught it so early on makes it very unlikely I'll get it, I suppose!
The Dr said there were a few red spots on my cervix which made him think it was a current HPV infection - does that make it likely I got it recently? Or would 'recently' also count as 18 months ago?
I feel a bit better knowing it is very common though - apparently only 1% of women who have no screening whatsoever go on to develop cervical cancer so having caught it so early on makes it very unlikely I'll get it, I suppose!
Reply 7
yawn
There's a fair bit of information on PatientPlus website about this matter.
It is not advisable to rely on condoms to protect against the transmission of HPV.
http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/40001764/
It is not advisable to rely on condoms to protect against the transmission of HPV.
http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/40001764/
Instead you rely on what..?
HPV is highly transmittable. Thats why we are investing so much in a vaccination program.
However, semen is a good source of HPV, and also increases the risk that it will permanently infect rather than transiently.
Virgins don't get HPV. When i say virgin i mean a girl with an unbroken hymen. Not a girl who has done everything BUT full sex. Thats just some silly differentiation made by modern girls in an attempt to fool themselves that their antics are somehow more appropriate.
Back to the original topic. Yes the OP is HPV infected. Most HPV infections last about 9 months then clear on their own. Of those that take longer to clear there is every reducing amounts that progress further along towards cancer. But the full process usually means cancer occurs about 15 years later. its vvvvv rare to get it quickly so don't stress.
Colposcopy is the best way of looking for changes, it means you can get a far better sample than simple smears, and visualise the area. Low grade HPV infection means basically you have HPV, and your body is reacting against it. IT will either be better, the same or worse in 6 months time. By far most likely is better. By far least likely is 'worse'. And if it is, then the tiny affected area can safely be removed which normally 'cures' it. And no, it doesn't affect your fertility.
HTH
Reply 8
Anonymous
The sites I looked at seemed to suggest it was really only possible through intercourse, and the Dr said virgins can't have it, but of course you can be a virgin and have still had sexual contact. My bf was a bit grossed out by it (HPV) so I'd feel better thinking he'd given it to me, and also the first time was someone who'd taken advantage of me by spiking my drink so I hate the idea that I could have long term health problems because of that incident.
The Dr said there were a few red spots on my cervix which made him think it was a current HPV infection - does that make it likely I got it recently? Or would 'recently' also count as 18 months ago?
I feel a bit better knowing it is very common though - apparently only 1% of women who have no screening whatsoever go on to develop cervical cancer so having caught it so early on makes it very unlikely I'll get it, I suppose!
The Dr said there were a few red spots on my cervix which made him think it was a current HPV infection - does that make it likely I got it recently? Or would 'recently' also count as 18 months ago?
I feel a bit better knowing it is very common though - apparently only 1% of women who have no screening whatsoever go on to develop cervical cancer so having caught it so early on makes it very unlikely I'll get it, I suppose!
Exactly. Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in countries with no screening and poor treatment, but in countries like our own when a woman regulary attends for screening the risk is really minimal.
Important to note that the biggest risk factors for cervical cancer death in the UK are
1) missing smear appointments.
2) starting unprotected sex from an early age.
Reply 9
Jamie, if I did indeed get HPV infection from the first guy I was with, that was over 18 months ago now. If it was going to clear by itself, wouldn't it have done so by now? Or is it still possible?
Reply 10
17
Instead you rely on what..?
You'll need to ask the experts on PatientPlus, since it is the advice coming from them. Actually, browsing through their website, their recommendations on reducing the risk of infection are:
Prevention: Strict use of condoms throughout an individual's sexual life possibly reduces the chance of developing genital warts, but does not offer anywhere near absolute protection.5,6,7 Monogamous faithful relationship/avoidance of promiscuity.
Here's their references:
References Used
eMedicine Ghadishah D, Condyloma Acuminata
Gilson R and Mindel A.; Recent advances: Sexually transmitted infections. ;BMJ 2001 12 May;322:1160-1164 [Full Text]
Revzina NV, Diclemente RJ; Prevalence and incidence of human papillomavirus infection in women in the USA: a systematic review.;Int J STD AIDS 2005 Aug;16(8):528-37.[abstract]
Khan A, Hussain R, Schofield M; Correlates of sexually transmitted infections in young Australian women.;Int J STD AIDS 2005 Jul;16(7):482-7.[abstract]
Wiley DJ, Harper DM, Elashoff D, et al; How condom use, number of receptive anal intercourse partners and history of external genital warts predict risk for external anal warts.;Int J STD AIDS 2005 Mar;16(3):203-11.[abstract]
Lyttle PH, Thompson SC; Maintaining sexual health in commercial sex workers in Australia: condom effectiveness, screening, and management after acquiring sexually transmissible infections.;Aust N Z J Public Health 2004 Aug;28(4):351-9.[abstract]
Clinical Evidence Genital Warts and Condoms
Colour Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology. Fitzpatrick TB et al. McGraw-Hill 2001.
Manzione CR, Nadal SR, Calore EE.; Postoperative follow-up of anal condylomata acuminata in HIV-positive patients.; Dis Colon Rectum. 2003 Oct;46(10):1358-65.
Moore RA, Edwards JE, Hopwood J, et al; Imiquimod for the treatment of genital warts: a quantitative systematic review.;BMC Infect Dis 2001;1(1):3.[abstract]
Maw R, von Krogh G; The management of anogenital warts.;BMJ 2000 Oct 14;321(7266):910-1.
Winer RL, Kiviat NB, Hughes JP, et al; Development and duration of human papillomavirus lesions, after initial infection.;J Infect Dis 2005 Mar 1;191(5):731-8. Epub 2005 Jan 21.[abstract]
Scully C; Oral cancer; the evidence for sexual transmission.;Br Dent J 2005 Aug 27;199(4):203-7.[abstract]
Clinical Evidence Summary page of effectiveness of treatments for genital warts
eMedicine Ghadishah D, Condyloma Acuminata
Gilson R and Mindel A.; Recent advances: Sexually transmitted infections. ;BMJ 2001 12 May;322:1160-1164 [Full Text]
Revzina NV, Diclemente RJ; Prevalence and incidence of human papillomavirus infection in women in the USA: a systematic review.;Int J STD AIDS 2005 Aug;16(8):528-37.[abstract]
Khan A, Hussain R, Schofield M; Correlates of sexually transmitted infections in young Australian women.;Int J STD AIDS 2005 Jul;16(7):482-7.[abstract]
Wiley DJ, Harper DM, Elashoff D, et al; How condom use, number of receptive anal intercourse partners and history of external genital warts predict risk for external anal warts.;Int J STD AIDS 2005 Mar;16(3):203-11.[abstract]
Lyttle PH, Thompson SC; Maintaining sexual health in commercial sex workers in Australia: condom effectiveness, screening, and management after acquiring sexually transmissible infections.;Aust N Z J Public Health 2004 Aug;28(4):351-9.[abstract]
Clinical Evidence Genital Warts and Condoms
Colour Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology. Fitzpatrick TB et al. McGraw-Hill 2001.
Manzione CR, Nadal SR, Calore EE.; Postoperative follow-up of anal condylomata acuminata in HIV-positive patients.; Dis Colon Rectum. 2003 Oct;46(10):1358-65.
Moore RA, Edwards JE, Hopwood J, et al; Imiquimod for the treatment of genital warts: a quantitative systematic review.;BMC Infect Dis 2001;1(1):3.[abstract]
Maw R, von Krogh G; The management of anogenital warts.;BMJ 2000 Oct 14;321(7266):910-1.
Winer RL, Kiviat NB, Hughes JP, et al; Development and duration of human papillomavirus lesions, after initial infection.;J Infect Dis 2005 Mar 1;191(5):731-8. Epub 2005 Jan 21.[abstract]
Scully C; Oral cancer; the evidence for sexual transmission.;Br Dent J 2005 Aug 27;199(4):203-7.[abstract]
Clinical Evidence Summary page of effectiveness of treatments for genital warts
An unpopular message I grant you, but that's life!
Reply 11
Anonymous
Jamie, if I did indeed get HPV infection from the first guy I was with, that was over 18 months ago now. If it was going to clear by itself, wouldn't it have done so by now? Or is it still possible?
I wouldn't be so sure you got it from the first guy frankly.
HPV is an odd one. Girls only catch it by sexual contact, but the same can't be true for guys. Theres always been something odd in the epidiemiology. Personally i think its possible that men might possibly catch it from other men by sharing towels (unlikely!) or even catch it from their mother during birth.
In any case i wouldn't fret.
Reply 12
yawn
You'll need to ask the experts on PatientPlus, since it is the advice coming from them. Actually, browsing through their website, their recommendations on reducing the risk of infection are:
Here's their references:
An unpopular message I grant you, but that's life!
Here's their references:
An unpopular message I grant you, but that's life!
Yeh, I did check out patientplus, and did check out the sources. Patientplus is often good, but this isn't the first time i've seen some iffy stuff up there. Certainly the papers themselves they quote are not that convincing.
I was prepping a web slap in case you used the phrase 'abstinence'...
Reply 13
17
Jamie
Certainly the papers themselves they quote are not that convincing.
These researchers are experts in their field...and your expertise is what...? A little dose of humility is prescribed here.
Jamie
I was prepping a web slap in case you used the phrase 'abstinence'...
lol - never presume anything.
I really believe that medical practitioners need to make sure that those who seek their advice are given the consensus of research (rather than their personal views based on limited knowledge in comparison) and the risks undertaken by diverting from that consensus, in order to make an informed decision on susbsequent path taken.
To give a false impression that condoms are the panacea for protection against all sexual risks is not only unprofessional, but also dangerous imo.
Reply 14
yawn
These researchers are experts in their field...and your expertise is what...? A little dose of humility is prescribed here.
lol - never presume anything.
I really believe that medical practitioners need to make sure that those who seek their advice are given the consensus of research (rather than their personal views based on limited knowledge in comparison) and the risks undertaken by diverting from that consensus, in order to make an informed decision on susbsequent path taken.
To give a false impression that condoms are the panacea for protection against all sexual risks is not only unprofessional, but also dangerous imo.
lol - never presume anything.
I really believe that medical practitioners need to make sure that those who seek their advice are given the consensus of research (rather than their personal views based on limited knowledge in comparison) and the risks undertaken by diverting from that consensus, in order to make an informed decision on susbsequent path taken.
To give a false impression that condoms are the panacea for protection against all sexual risks is not only unprofessional, but also dangerous imo.
My expertise? Virology. Namely HPV/Cervical cancer and also Influenza virology. I read the papers, they are not that convincing. That simple.
I mean even using the most basic BASIC ounce of common sense to look at the statistic. "(estimated at 0–30%). " I mean 0% is incredible. No protection at all. 30% means that they protect nearly 1/3rd. Numbers like this always mean a study lacked power.
Its like doing a survey on nut allegies in a group of 3 people. In the first one person is allergic. Means you extrapolate 33% of the population are allergic. In the second group no people are allergic. Means you extrapolate 0% are allergic.
Most the advice i give is based on proper research and NICE guidelines.
I say most as alot of modern medicine still isn't evidence based.
Reply 15
17
My expertise? Virology. Namely HPV/Cervical cancer and also Influenza virology. I read the papers, they are not that convincing. That simple.
And there was me thinking you were a recently qualified med student!
C'mon, stuff bluffing Jamie (incidentally, were you formerly know as 'foolfarian' on TSR?) You are in no position to criticise the work of microbioligists who specialise in virology.
Most the advice i give is based on proper research and NICE guidelines.
I can also give advice citing medical research and NICE guidelines - it's all there on the web. However, I would always exercise caution and point out that there are better qualified people to seek the advice from.
Reply 16
yawn
And there was me thinking you were a recently qualified med student!
C'mon, stuff bluffing Jamie (incidentally, were you formerly know as 'foolfarian' on TSR?) You are in no position to criticise the work of microbioligists who specialise in virology.
I can also give advice citing medical research and NICE guidelines - it's all there on the web. However, I would always exercise caution and point out that there are better qualified people to seek the advice from.
C'mon, stuff bluffing Jamie (incidentally, were you formerly know as 'foolfarian' on TSR?) You are in no position to criticise the work of microbioligists who specialise in virology.
I can also give advice citing medical research and NICE guidelines - it's all there on the web. However, I would always exercise caution and point out that there are better qualified people to seek the advice from.
I spent a whole year focused on virology - far more so than most doctors and during the last 3 years have contributed to 2 papers on HPV, and spoken at 2 national conferences about HPV vaccination and liquid-based cytology.
I know what I'm talking about.
Belittle me by titling me a 'recently qualified med student' rather than the 'doctor' title I've earned all you like.
Now, seeing as you are being so obtuse about it, lets break it down slowly for you.
Your first 'microbiology specialising in virology experts'. Nurses.
"How condom use, number of receptive anal intercourse partners and history of external genital warts predict risk for external anal warts.
Wiley DJ, Harper DM, Elashoff D, Silverberg MJ, Kaestle C, Cook RL, Heilemann M, Johnson L. Division of Primary Care, School of Nursing, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095-6919, USA. [email protected]
Few analytic opportunities have allowed us to evaluate the role that specific sexual acts and male latex condoms play in the acquisition of external anal warts (EAW) using longitudinal data. The acquisition of EAWs occurs from epithelial contact with other HPV-infected surfaces, and hence is dependent upon sexual behaviour. Our objectives were to classify the relative importance of condom use, receptive anal intercourse (RAI) and prior history of EGWs on acquisition of EAWs. The observational Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study followed 2925 men over nine semiannual study visits for behavioural and physical examinations with laboratory testing. The main outcome measure was the occurrence of examiner-diagnosed EAWs in a homosexual population. EAWs were diagnosed among 10% of men studied across 22,157 visits reviewed for this study. Men with history of EGWs were more likely than those previously unaffected to have developed EAWs (cOR = 2.4 (2.0, 2.9)), as were men who reported multiple anoreceptive intercourse partners (e.g., compared with men who reported no RAI partners, men with 1, 2-5, > or = 6 RAI partners had crude risk ratios 1.0 (0.8, 1.3), 1.6 (1.2, 2.1), 3.9 (2.7, 5.8), respectively). These relations persisted after other demographic and sexual risk factors were controlled for in the analyses. Consistent condom usage showed no protective effect for EAWs in our crude or adjusted analyses. Patient education messages should be tailored to reflect our uncertainty about the protective nature of condoms for the development of anal warts, but to continue to assert the protective effects of a limited lifetime number of sexual partners and the heightened risk for wart recurrence once infected."
So basically a paper that says gay men using condoms still get external anal warts. Written by nurses - not microbiologists. How does this relate to the internal HPV virus that afflicts the cervix? Not at all.
And paper number 2? Well that was based on some medlines searches for evidence of protection. IT decided that there is 0-30% protection against skin-skin transmitted diseases.
But the funny thing is its not taking about cervical HPV. Its talking about condylomata and urethral warts. i.e very superficial/exterior in the genital area.
Not the same as cervical.
Final FYI - the two authors of that particular patientUK page - like most patientUK pages are GPs. Not specialist virologists.
I don't 'bluff' that i know more than I do in medicine. You do that, people get hurt.
Reply 17
17
I don't 'bluff' that i know more than I do in medicine. You do that, people get hurt.
That is the reassurance I am seeking. Thank you, Jamie
(were you 'foolfarian' on TSR?)Reply 18
yawn
That is the reassurance I am seeking. Thank you, Jamie (were you 'foolfarian' on TSR?)
(were you 'foolfarian' on TSR?)I was indeed foolfarian.
Apologies for the outburst, but it can be frustrating at times when age/seniority is used against me.
Its hard being so good so young sometimes...
Reply 19
17
I suspected you might have been 'foolfarian' in a previous incarnation. I really used to enjoy watching the 'cut and thrust' debates between yourself and Vienna (and must admit that I sided with you on these occasions.)
I can identify with how hard it is to be 'so young and so good' - 'she says modestly.'
I can identify with how hard it is to be 'so young and so good' - 'she says modestly.'
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