Little Cherry,

I recently got tested for STDs, but my doctor said I was unable to get checked for HPV (apparently since I’m a guy.) I’ve been kind of worried about it since I heard you can have HPV without symptoms. Is there anything else I can do to find out if I have it? Also, is there anything that my girlfriend can do to help protect herself? We’re both pretty concerned.

-Steve

Steve,

Thanks for your question. I’m really glad to see that you’re looking out for your sexual health. Unfortunately, there are no FDA-approved methods of testing for HPV in men. In fact, there are no general “HPV status” tests available for anyone (although a woman’s Pap can detect abnormal cells which may be run for HPV.) Some men become aware of having HPV due to a development of bumps around the genital area, including the thighs, scrotum, and penis. [If you would show any signs of infection, make sure to see your doctor for an evaluation, ASAP.] Yet, other men show no symptoms at all. In order to help reduce your risks of contracting HPV, you may want to wear condoms or refrain from sexual activity. In the event you are already infected with HPV, your body will most likely fight off the infection within a year or two. In fact, the CDC estimates that about 90% of both low and high-risk infections can clear up within this time frame.  (Still, be aware that you may pass it on to others!)

In regards to your girlfriend, HPV can pose some serious risks for women, including cervical cancer. One thing she should definitely do is get her periodic Pap tests done. (Some clinicians want patients to come in yearly, provided the results consistently come back within normal limits… Others prefer every other year.  Your girlfriend should consult with her health care provider to come up with a time line that fits her needs.) Another option might be the Guardasil vaccine, which can help prevent against four types of HPV responsible for most of the cervical cancers and genital warts. If she’s interested, have her talk to her health care provider for more information.

And here’s a great video on STD testing. It talks about HPV briefly, but also provides great information on testing for other sexually transmitted diseases: STD Testing

Hope this helps.

Keep asking questions,
Little Cherry

Little Cherry,

I’m really concerned right now. I had unprotected sex with a guy I just met this past weekend, which is really unusual for me. I’m getting really nervous that I might have gotten pregnant. Some of my friends told me about the “Morning After Pill,” but it’s already been three days. Plus, if I did already get pregnant, I don’t want to abort the baby. Help me- PLEASE!!!

-Prego?

Prego?,

Alright, let’s start breaking this down, starting with the pregnancy issue. The “morning after pill” (also known as “emergency contraception” or “EC”) can be effective for preventing pregnancy up to five days after unprotected intercourse. [The sooner you take it, the more likely it will be effective.] Most forms of EC actually contain the same hormones that are found in birth control pills- just in higher dosages. They can work by preventing ovulation (when the egg gets released) or fertilization (when the egg and sperm meet), which in turn prevents the pregnancy from occurring. Certainly, there have been many ethical debates about whether or not EC should be considered a form of abortion. However, I can say from a legal and medical perspective that EC is not considered to be an “abortion drug” of any kind. So, hypothetically, if you were already pregnant, taking EC right now should not have an effect on your pregnancy. Whether or not you feel comfortable taking EC is something you’ll have to decide on your own, though.

In regards to the other risks that come with unprotected sex, you may want to consider getting tested for STDs (even if you’re not showing any symptoms.) I’d recommend calling your clinician ahead of time to see how long he/she wants you to wait before coming in for testing. After all, some STDs will not show up on a test in the first week or two.

I hope that this helped to clear things up a bit. Best of luck with your decisions!

Keep asking questions,
Little Cherry!

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