sara, 25, NY [Female]
I had an irregular papsmear at my very 1st visit to the gynocologist after have sex with only one person and using a condom every time. I was told that I had HPV and could not share this information with my parents because I knew it would make them too upset.
This was a very scary experience for me because I had to have a procedure done and had to just place my trust in the doctors with no support from my parents. I relied on the support of my siblings and friends, and luckily had college health insurance that could pay for it.
I just wanted to respond to another story on this page where the woman blames herself for having HPV saying she had "unprotected sex with multiple partners".... This is the stereotype of people with HPV, that they are irresponsible people who can expect to have this problem because of their behavoir, and I don't think this is a healthy outlook.
Most doctors and nurses I spoke with said that HPV can be spread even with condoms, which is why having multiple partner increases your chances of getting the disease, because condoms will not protect you from it since it can be transmitted via tissues not covered by condoms. This is also why there is a new vaccine out for the disease, becuase it is so easy to spread (many peoole have it and show no symptoms; men are almost never checked for it) and some strains of it can lead to cervical cancer.
Please get the information and do not feel guilty for a disease or illness you have.
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