1 in 4 US women has HPV

here is a link to an alarming study which shows that 1 in 4 US women has HPV. it is from the CNN.com site.

Link

Wed. Feb 28, 10:57am

Very Interesting

This whole HPV vaccine is getting a lot of attention, and for good reason. I will have my girls (12 & 15) vaccinated, but I don't think I agree with mandating it. Unfortunlately, too many people view having the vaccine as promoting promiscuity.

HPV not only can cause cervical cancer, but also can lead to infertility. If 1 in 4 women from the age of 15-49 has been infected, it tells you that the virus is pervasive.

Wednesday, February 28, 2007, 11:51 AM

Can boyes be vaccinated?

After all, they are as much a part of the problem as girls are. They just don't suffer the same consequences.

Wednesday, February 28, 2007, 11:52 AM

i wondered the exact same thing about boys getting the vaccine. they are able to spread it to girls and yet suffer no symptoms or other consequences from carrying HPV. it seems more like condoning the sexual promiscuity of boys to mandate that only girls get the drug. women paying with their bodies for the mistakes men make...not completely unheard of.

Wednesday, February 28, 2007, 11:58 AM

another link about other STDs. again from the CNN.com site. it's scary out there...

Wednesday, February 28, 2007, 12:00 PM

Apparently gay men in the UK have been trying to get the vaccine under the radar. Makes perfect sense that they would want it too. I wonder why this isn't being marketed to both boys and girls?

Link

Wednesday, February 28, 2007, 12:39 PM

here is yet another, please stay with me here, link to a great blog w/ responses from all over on the cnn.com site. has some answers...

Link

Wednesday, February 28, 2007, 4:04 PM

oops! the link about STDs

Link

Wednesday, February 28, 2007, 4:14 PM

FYI, the Gardasil vaccine protects against 2 strains of HPV which are known to cause cervical cancer. There are over 100 strains of HPV, most of which do not cause cancer and many of which are very mildly disfiguring, and clear away without any problem. The article seems very unclear on which strains are being referred to -- it has long been thought that about 50% of Americans are infected with HPV, mostly the harmless kinds.

Wednesday, February 28, 2007, 4:51 PM

Several years ago I was diagnosed with HPV. I freaked out at first but my wonderful gyno calmed me by saying, "Just continue what you've been doing. Keep eating right, losing weight, getting enough sleep, enjoying your new boyfriend and don't stress." I took her advice and it cleared up on her own. I hardly think about it now.

Wednesday, February 28, 2007, 11:58 PM

I found this sentiment curious:

"It seems more like condoning the sexual promiscuity of boys to mandate that only girls get the drug. women paying with their bodies for the mistakes men make...not completely unheard of."

I don't think the vaccine promotes promiscuity of either sex or the mistakes of one gender causing injury on another. I guess you can liken the vaccine being made available for girls in the same way the pill is available to women. The medicial community probably haven't figured out how it works for males yet. The HPV vaccine only is effective on 4 strains (or six), there are other strains that those who received the HPV vaccine can be infected with. A proactive OB GYN will monitor your paps and conduct other necessary tests. It is true that many women have HPV and don't know it and it clears up on its own.

Few other thoughts: it takes two to have unprotected sex, a man may not know he is infected until it shows up for his partner, condoms not 100% effective with regard to STDs, HIV and pregnancy. If two people have sex without a full medical make these days, you run the risk for anything, not just HPV, which is the sad state of intimate sexual relationships/flings/one-night-stands these days. An unknowing female could pass the HPV virus to an otherwise uninfected male. Please let's not make this a gender vs gender issue.

Thursday, March 1, 2007, 1:49 AM

I have HPV, and it was diagnosed after I had my first child, and I had been married for 4 years. I freaked out too, thinking my husband had cheated on me. but my gyno said that if you have had sex with more than one person in your life(no protection used) then you probably have it. I lies dormant for years and out of the blue, just shows itself . I don't even worry about it. just get my regular checkups and live my life.

Thursday, March 1, 2007, 1:55 PM

If the goal is to eliminate HPV, boys need a vaccine too

The virus is sexually transmitted. If you only vaccinate girls, then the boys can still get it, carry it and pass it on to anyone who has not been vaccinated. To effectively eradicate the virus, both girls and boys need to be vacconated. Just because the girls are the ones who suffer the consequences, does not mean they are the only ones who should be vaccinated.

To the 1:49 PM poster - Even though HPV can clear up on its own, the risk of infertility still exists, for both men and women.

Link

Thursday, March 1, 2007, 2:46 PM

Related Content: How To Lose Weight- The Basics Weight Watchers Points System The Fat Smash Diet The Eat To Live Diet The Beck Diet Solution How To Get The Motivation To Lose Weight		How To Be Successful Using PEERtrainer How To Burn Fat Online Weight Loss Support- How It Works Does Green Tea Help You Lose Weight? Tips On Using PEERtrainer Visit The PEERtrainer Community Diet and Fitness Resources
Fitness Weight Watchers Meetings Learning To Inspire Others: You Already Are Writing Down Your Daily Workouts Spending Money On A Personal Trainer? How I Became A Marathon Runner		Preventive Health How To Prevent Injuries During Your Workout Flu Season: Should You Take The Flu Shot? Are You Really Ready To Start PEERtrainer? Super Foods That Can Boost Your Energy Reversing Disease Through Nutrition
New Diet and Fitness Articles: Weight Watchers Points Plus How To Adjust Your Body To Exercise New: Weight Watchers Momentum Program New: PEERtrainer Blog Archive Review Of The New Weight Watchers Momentum Program		Weight Loss Motivation by Joshua Wayne: Why Simple Goal Setting Is Not Enough How To Delay Short Term Gratification How To Stay Motivated How To Exercise With A Busy Schedule
Real World Nutrition and Fitness Questions Can Weight Lifting Help You Lose Weight? Are Protein Drinks Safe? Nutrition As Medicine?		Everyday Weight Loss Tips How To Eat Healthy At A Party How To Eat Out And Still Lose Weight The Three Bite Rule Tips On How To Stop A Binge