Thought I’d post this outstanding article on a health issue every man and woman should learn about.   As far as how this relates to singles and couples?  Obviously, it does so in a myriad of ways. 

If you are single, certainly you need to figure out how you are going to talk about sex and sexual histories with the person or persons you are dating BEFORE you have sex, right?  I strongly recommend that you do have discussions around this issue.  Many find the subject uncomfortable and thus, avoid it.  If you’d like help as to the specifics of this OR support for following through, call or email me for a complimentary, coaching session!  You don’t have to go it alone if that means the all important conversation(s) doesn’t happen!!!

If you are an established couple, learning to talk about issues such as sexually transmitted diseases is a way to get comfortable talking about your physical intimacy in general.  Don’t assume (unless you’ve openly discussed it and come to an agreement) that your partner is monogamous with you.  And, lesbian women, listen up:  we CAN pass on STD’s to other women and you can get STD’s from lesbian sex.  Enough said!

I have one question for Jennifer, however, that is somewhat related to this topic:  how about those of us who no longer have a cervix?  Many women have had their cervix removed via hysterectomy.  If so, does a woman still need a pap smear?  And, can women without a cervix still get HPV?

Hopefully, I’ll get Jennifer to post on the blog her opinion on this matter!  Jennifer it would also be neat if we could talk more on this list about healthy communication about sex in relationships.

Barb Elgin

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New vaccine guards against HPV
By Jennifer Medvin, RN

In June 2006, the FDA announced its approval of Gardasil?, a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, manufactured by Merck. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States.  This virus can cause genital warts and abnormal changes on the cervix, vulva, vagina, penis, and anus that can lead to cancer if it is not treated. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that about 6.2 million Americans become infected with genital HPV each year and that over half of all sexually active men and women become infected at some time in their lives.

Cervical cancer is the second largest killer of women among cancers worldwide and is much more common than anal or penile cancer in men.  The cervix is the lower, narrow part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.  In the United States approximately 14,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year.  Globally, there are more than 240,000 deaths each year due to cervical cancer.

Cervical cancers do not form suddenly. There is a slow, gradual change from a normal cervix to precancer to cancer. Although, in most cases, the body’s immune system clears HPV before a person knows he or she has it, some infections may remain and lead to cancer.  Most women with HPV are not aware they are infected until they have had a Pap test. 

The Pap smear (also called Pap test) is an effective method of detecting abnormal cells on the cervix that can lead to cancer.  Medical experts believe that girls or women should begin receiving Pap tests by age 21; sooner if the woman is sexually active. Routine Pap screening remains critically important to detect precancerous changes in the cervix to allow treatment before cervical cancer develops.

HPV is contracted by engaging in oral sex, vaginal sex, anal sex, through intimate genital skin-to-skin contact or by sharing sex toys with a person who already has the virus.  The virus can remain in the body for weeks, years, or even a lifetime, giving no sign of its presence.  Your partner may not have visible warts or symptoms but can still spread the virus. 

Gardasil represents a significant advance in women?s health. This vaccine is effective against HPV types 16 and 18, which cause 70% of cervical cancer and also blocks types 6 and 11, which cause 90% of genital warts. 

Gardasil is not effective against existing HPV infections and will not provide protection against HPV types not included in the vaccine. Also, it ?will not replace other prevention strategies, such as cervical cancer screening for women or protective sexual behaviors.?

The CDC?s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend that Gardasil be routinely given to girls and young women between the ages of 13 and 26 years.  The idea was to begin vaccinations before the onset of sexual activity.

Lesbian women are at risk for many of the same STD?s as heterosexual women and should also have yearly pap screenings.  These recommendations apply equally to lesbians even if they have never had sex with men.  The University of Washington?s Department of Medicine conducted a study with women who acknowledged having had sex with women.  Of the 248 participating women, 31 were found to have HPV from their Pap smear.

Currently, there are no approved tests to detect HPV or HPV-associated cancers in men. The CDC states, ?since anal cancer is more common in gay, bisexual, and HIV-positive men, some experts recommend routine anal Pap tests for those populations.?

Gardasil is not approved for use in men.  Merck plans to seek approval to use Gardasil in boys and young men and is currently searching for, ?sexually active, healthy young men who has sex with men willing to make a 3 year commitment to the study.? 

http://www.hpvvaccinetrials.com/ (Merck?s HPV vaccine clinical research study for men)

http://www.cdc.gov (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

http://www.gardasil.com/ (Gardasil main website)

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? Jennifer Medvin, All Rights Reserved

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