Can HPV go away on its own?

I wanted to write an encouraging word to those newly diagnosed with HPV. I'm in my 50s and was diagnosed in January after my yearly Pap smear - ASCUS (atypical cells of unknown significance) and positive for high-risk HPV. I was totally shocked and freaked out by the diagnosis. Had a colposcopy with biopsies in March which showed no dysplasia. Just had the follow-up Pap which was normal. The doctor will test for HPV again at the yearly Pap in December. I feel very fortunate at this moment but a bit uneasy not knowing if the HPV is gone. The important thing is to never miss your yearly Pap smears or follow-ups with your doctor. This diagnosis also caused me to improve my diet, take vitamins, and take steps to lower the stress in my life.

Anon - Hotel bedspreads? No, HPV is spread by skin-to-skin contact — usually during vaginal, anal or oral sex.

Is there any way to get HPV from hotel bedpreads?

Anon - If you haven't done so yet I would suggest reading this thread from the first page as you'll find a lot of helpful information. Dealing with HPV can be very confusing for a number of reasons. First, it's not one virus, there are some 100 strains of HPV. Second, while the external symptoms may clear up the virus can remain dormant in the body and be passed on years after the initial infection. Here's how Planned Parenthood puts it: Although most HPV infections go away within 8 to 13 months, some will not. HPV infections that do not go away can "hide" in the body for years and not be detected. That's why it is impossible to know exactly when someone got infected, how long they've been infected, or who passed the infection to them.

Yes, you should get tested again. HPV can lead to cervical cancer and it's important for your health to stay on top of this. It will also help to learn more about HPV and the preventive measures you need to take for the sake of your health, and that of your partner. http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/stds-hiv-safer-sex/hpv-4272.htm

Anonymous,
Hello,
I have a question, maybe someone can help me...I was diagnosed with hpv about 4 years ago and had 3 small lesions removed through laser surgery. After that everthing seemed normal and i continued to have normal pap smears and went to see my OBGYN every 6 months. Just recently my boyfriend whom i have been dating for about 1 1/2 has contracted some lesions as well! He said he noticed them a few months after we were together. I don't understand why this has happened, should i go get re-tested again?
I do not get or understand why after this long my current boyfriend is having an issue with this. I also know my boyfriend was not sexual with anyone for 2 years before he met me, so i am thinking they must be from me. I just had a recent pap smear in February and it was normal so not sure what to do....????

Hi Anon - First, no, you could not have gotten the virus from washing the socks and underwear together. Second, yes, a couple can be completely faithful and still get HPV.

What's important here, and is GOOD news, is that atypical cells have been found early. It's disturbing that you got this information in a confusing form letter. Your pap test most likely showed cervical dysplasia - a clinical term for abnormal cells that bear watching as they may - and more likely may not - become cancerous. When a pap test shows cervical dysplasia doctors often do additional tests, including an HPV test, since most cervical cancers are due to specific strains of the HPV virus.

Understanding HPV can be confusing, and you may find the following page helpful: http://www.cdc.gov/hpv/

Good luck to you, and be sure to go to your follow up appointment.

Take care,
Pat

I just got my Pap smear results back and they say I have slightly atypical cells and to repeat the Pap in 4-6 months. Another paper included with theses results had information about HPV. It said in the print that the Pap indicated HPV, but it was a form letter. I am waiting to speak to my doctor as I have a message into him. I am a 55 yo woman who has been with the same partner for 35.5 yrs, of which we have been married 34. He says he has never been unfaithful and neither have I. We were both virgins when we became involved with each other. Is this possible to get HPV? We have had 2 sons who have had plantar warts and I washed their socks with everyone elses socks and underwear. Could we have gotten the virus from those warts? I am very confused and worried.

Cary has provided some excellent advice. Unless you have a background in advertising and marketing it can be hard to see how much of what is sold on an Internet website is carefully crafted advertising with no clinical basis or actual testimonials. You would buy those products at your own risk.

I have heard of viralfree and these two other products

...They have worked on people... Should I try them?
(Links to commercial sites removed by EmpowHER Moderator)