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I'm a 54 year old woman. I contracted HPV (genital warts) in my early 20s. I had positive PAP smears for years and had two colposcopies. For the first time in many years, my last PAP was normal and I was told I didn't need to return for a PAP for two years. I've had no return of genital warts since they were treated in my 20s. I've just begun a new relationship and I will tell my new partner about the HPV. However, should we (he) abstain from having oral sex with me? I'm concerned about the possibility of my partner contacting oral cancer. I understand that HPV cannot be cured but can go dormant. Can he still get oral cancer if my HPV is dormant?
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Owanji,
Him being educated on what HPV is, how it is transmitted, and how it can be avoided will help. Please feel free to use our resources if he would like more information. The more someone knows about a disease, the less likely they are to run from you for having it.
https://www.empowher.com/cervical-cancer/content/ten-things-every-woman-should-know-about-hpv
https://www.empowher.com/condition/genital-warts/definition
Wishing you the very best!
Rosa
November 7, 2011 - 7:17amThis Comment
Thank you so much for answering my question so quickly. I'm not surprised, but disappointed that this thing continues to haunt my relationships into the 50s. I was hoping dormant meant no worries about spreading genital warts. I hope my news to him about the HPV is not a deal breaker. I know, I know, "Who wants to be with a person who doesn't care enough, blah, blah, blah." But, the news can be the killer of a fleeting desire that once had a chance to grow into something more. I met someone online who lives on the opposite coast. After four months of talking online he's coming out to see his nephew, and to see me (or he was, lol). We'll see. Thanks again, Nurse Rosa.
November 3, 2011 - 7:05pmThis Comment
Hi Owanji,
Unfortunately, The only way to completely prevent HPV from spreading is to avoid physical contact. Even if your Pap smear came back as normal, this doesn't mean that you cannot give your partner warts during oral sex. He may not get Oral Cancer, but it is possible to get warts in your mouth. The safest thing to do is to abstain from Oral Sex and use a condom during sex.
https://www.empowher.com/condition/genital-warts/
Best Wishes,
Rosa
November 2, 2011 - 6:36amThis Comment