Dear Anon, sorry to hear about your diagnosis and I appreciate sharing your concerns and feelings in this forum. HPV is the most common sexually-transmitted infection in the United States. Approximately 20 million people are currently infected with HPV. At least 50% of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. By age 50, at least 80% of women will have acquired genital HPV infection. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each year. With that said, what is next for you?
You did not mention if you are have any other symptoms but so you know, most HPV infections don't cause any symptoms and eventually go away, as the body's own defense system clears the virus. Women with temporary HPV infections may develop mild Pap test abnormalities that go away with time. There is no "cure" for HPV infection, although the infection usually goes away on its own. Approximately 90% of women with HPV infection become HPV-negative within two years. However, it is possible that the virus remains in a "sleeping" state and could be reactivated years later.
You will have to determine what course of action to take (to wait or schedule your LEEP procedure). There is always a risk on waiting hoping that the virus goes dormant. On the other hand women with persistent high-risk HPV infections are at greatest risk for developing cervical cancer precursor lesions (abnormal cells on the lining of the cervix) and cervical cancer.
Also if you are sexually active and are not in long-term mutually monogamous relationships, reducing the number of sexual partners and choosing a partner less likely to be infected may reduce the risk of reoccurance of genital HPV infection. It is not known how much protection condoms provide against HPV, since areas that are not covered by a condom can be exposed to the virus. However, condoms may reduce the risk of genital warts and cervical cancer.
LEEP is a very simple procedure. It takes about 20-30 minutes and is usually performed in your physician's office. I know many women who have had it. I believe it is the best alternative to more aggressive options if you want to have children down the road. To learn more about LEEP procedures click on this link: http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/surgery/a/leepprocedure.htm
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Dear Anon, sorry to hear about your diagnosis and I appreciate sharing your concerns and feelings in this forum. HPV is the most common sexually-transmitted infection in the United States. Approximately 20 million people are currently infected with HPV. At least 50% of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. By age 50, at least 80% of women will have acquired genital HPV infection. About 6.2 million Americans get a new genital HPV infection each year. With that said, what is next for you?
You did not mention if you are have any other symptoms but so you know, most HPV infections don't cause any symptoms and eventually go away, as the body's own defense system clears the virus. Women with temporary HPV infections may develop mild Pap test abnormalities that go away with time. There is no "cure" for HPV infection, although the infection usually goes away on its own. Approximately 90% of women with HPV infection become HPV-negative within two years. However, it is possible that the virus remains in a "sleeping" state and could be reactivated years later.
You will have to determine what course of action to take (to wait or schedule your LEEP procedure). There is always a risk on waiting hoping that the virus goes dormant. On the other hand women with persistent high-risk HPV infections are at greatest risk for developing cervical cancer precursor lesions (abnormal cells on the lining of the cervix) and cervical cancer.
Also if you are sexually active and are not in long-term mutually monogamous relationships, reducing the number of sexual partners and choosing a partner less likely to be infected may reduce the risk of reoccurance of genital HPV infection. It is not known how much protection condoms provide against HPV, since areas that are not covered by a condom can be exposed to the virus. However, condoms may reduce the risk of genital warts and cervical cancer.
LEEP is a very simple procedure. It takes about 20-30 minutes and is usually performed in your physician's office. I know many women who have had it. I believe it is the best alternative to more aggressive options if you want to have children down the road. To learn more about LEEP procedures click on this link: http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/surgery/a/leepprocedure.htm
Good luck and take care!
December 11, 2008 - 12:18amThis Comment
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