Have you heard about Gardasil? It's a vaccine that prevents cervical cancer, but it only protects you against the type that is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), the same HPV that causes genital warts.
First off, let me tell you a little bit about HPV. It's an STI that can be transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. It can manifest itself in flesh-colored warts that show up one to eight months after you become infected. However, some people infected with HPV have no symptoms at all, which means they could pass it on without even knowing it. Now that's just scary.
Aside from causing genital warts, if a woman has HPV and it doesn't go away on its own, it's possible that the virus can cause abnormal cells to develop in the lining of her cervix. If not discovered early and treated, these abnormal cells can turn into cervical cancer.
So what's the deal with the Gardasil vaccine? To find out read more
If you get vaccinated with Gardasil, it will only help to protect you against four types of HPV (types 6, 11, 16, 18). These types are linked to 70 percent of cervical cancers and 90 percent of genital warts, but the vaccine won't prevent all types of cervical cancer or genital warts. Also, you should know that taking this vaccine isn't a cure if you've already been diagnosed with genital warts or cervical cancer. It can be given to girls as young as nine years old, and any woman can get the vaccine if she is sexually active and feels at risk.
Dear's Advice: If you are not in a monogamous relationship with someone you know is HPV-free, getting Gardasil may be a good idea for you. Talk to your doctor about it, and be sure to see your gyno for regular cervical cancer screenings.
Andy Warhol for Levi's
By Malene Birger
Tod's
A couple of not very-well known facts about HPV:
about 80% (YES! 80%!) of women in the world get HPV at one point or another.
Sometimes our immune systems take care of the virus and get rid of it. Sometimes it doesn't...
I personally got it twice: once when I was 17, with my first partner; the type that gives cervical cancer. My OB/GYN had to burn my cervics with a laser to get rid of the affected cells, and let me tell you, IT IS THE MOST PAINFUL THING IN THE WHOLE WORLD. Because it's on your cervics, it makes your uterus contract, and you virtually feel like you are in labor. The virus can come back, when your immune system is down, and a few years later, after a bad flu, it was found I had it again, and I had to go through the cervical lasering of death again.
The second time, I'm pretty sure my current BF gave it to me, but there's no way to know for sure because:
1. men cannot get tested - there is no way to know whether a man has HPV, unless he has genital warts (usually on the glans) that show.
2. condoms don't protect from HPV 100%, which is one of the reasons why the vaccine is so great. So even though he's the only unprotected sex I've had in years, maybe I caught it from a guy with whom I used a condom... BEWARE!
This time, it was the low-risk, genital-wart kind; and I was lucky to only get ONE, which we started by burning off (YAY!), then removed surgically (WOOT) when it grew back, and then... well, then, it grew back again, and my doctor recommended interferon injections as a last resort. Until you've had injections in your clitoris, you may not realize how great this vaccine is...
Interferon is an immune system booster which is used for other nasty diseases like Hepatitis... etc. It's a killer of a treatment. After the injection, you get horrible flu-like symptoms, which make you bed-ridden for days. You feel like you've been beaten up with a stick or run over by a truck, and you shake and shake non stop. It's really no fun.
After 6 injections, the virus was still there. As far as I know, it's still in my system. I may never get rid of it, I may have sudden sprouts of warts, I may give it to my BF if he's not the culprit on this one (I can't be mad if he is, how could he know?). Or it may go away with time if my immune system manages to suppress it. Or lay dormant for years, and suddenly come back with a vengeance because I haven't had enough vitamins.
So I got the vaccine, just in case some day my BF and I aren't together anymore and I get in contact with someone infected again. Because let me tell you -
this thing has been the bane of my existence for 13 years, and on top of being shameful (this post is taking a lot, I'm really embarrassed!) it's dangerous and can become very complicated.
Get the vaccine, ladies. Run to your doctors and get it.
1Other facts about the vaccine.
You have to get 3 injections over 6 months. and the Gardasil website has a reminder you can sign up for so you do not forget to go back!!
I recommend this vaccine, HPV is no laughing matter even if you do have the type that has no visible symptoms.
2I thought you had to get it before any exposure.
It's something I'd definitely recommend (I contracted HPV and needed laser surgery).
3Getting the vaccine is a good idea. Because it's spread by genital contact, a condom doesn't even always protect you (chances are, there will still be some skin to skin contact). Also, since they don't give the vaccine to men. you can continue passing the virus back and forth.
4My OBGYN recommended the vaccine to me the first time I went to her for birth control pills, and I readily agreed. Today I just finished receiving the third and last shot in the Gardasil series, woohoo!
Also, I have heard there is another HPV vaccine coming out that will protect you against 2 more HPV virus types, does anyone know about that?
5i went in for a meningitis shot and the lady was seriously pushing the HPV vaccine. it freaked me out thinking about two shots in one day, but it's really important! it's great how well they're putting it out there for women to be more informed.
6and more power to you, karlotta. that's unfortunate but also a real eye opener to others. stay healthy, girl
7karlotta, wow, you have really gone through a lot. thanks for sharing your story with us. i think that the vaccine is worth getting as well because HPV is soooo very common now and you can get it even if you use a condom.
8I agree with the others get the vaccine...why wouldnt you?
9i am a cervical cancer survivor, and just got my 2-year clean PAP! whoo!!! i have decided not to have any more children as a result of my surgeries due to the major risk (now) of an incompetent cervix. i feel very fortunate that i have my two daughters and i didn't lose my reproductive organs or my life.
i highly recommend this, because i went from a completely normal PAP and just one year later, BOOM! i was shocked that in just the span of 15 months i could have gone so far into the disease. my OB/GYN said that he was so thankful that i did not skip my annual PAP because, and i quote, "i cannot imagine what we would have been up against." i'm sure he can imagine, though!
i'm definitely getting both of my daughters vaccinated. i recently read that HPV was found under boy's fingernails, so i'm not taking any chances with them.
10I got the shot because my fmaily has a history of cervical cancer, so hopefully it will help me stay clear of it as best I can.
However, the side effects are nasty ladies, so pay attention to them. I had severe side effects for the final shot and could not get out of bed. The bf had to stay home and take care of me. It was an emotional and physical roller coaster.
But I do recommend getting the shot!
11also with the shot- there are many different types of hpv and the shot only covers like the main ones but still- even if you have one strand of hpv, the shot can help prevent the others. i've had hpv for a couple years now and it keeps coming and going. i test ok and then next time i test for it. but i'm too old for the recommended age of vaccination- but i still might get it (i think insurance just doesn't pay for it then or something)
12Wow some of these stories are alarming. I have my annual appt. coming up, and I'm definitely getting it. Thanks for sharing the stories.
13I think it's a smart vaccine HOWEVER I'm not sure about getting it yet mainly because I want to know about the long-term affects of the shot. While the protection of the hpv vaccine is a huge breakthrough I want to make sure that 5-10yrs down the road it won't have any negative affect on my system.
14lets discuss gardisil. now this may sound shocking, but due to religious reasons i am abstaining from sex until i get married. HOWEVER, my gyno told me that since im 26 (right under the 27 year old deadline for insurance to pay for the shots) that i should get the vaccine - just in case for the future..whatever.
i of course said yes.
the vaccination is complete after 3 shots spread months apart. the second shot is 2 months from the first, and the 3rd is 4 months from the second.
i have gotten 2 out of the 3 shots so far (unfortunately my 3rd shot will be after i am 27). as with all vaccinations i got a touch of fever that night...but otherwise it was painless.
its so worth getting vaccinated. because you never know. and its important to do whatever you can to prevent cancer.
15I got the three shots earlier this year and though it was a little uncomfortable going in, any decrease in risk is worth it, imho! After I got the third one, the nurse said that they were going to be releasing a new version that requires fewer shots, but she didn't say when.
lolabella: I agree about getting the vaccine, but don't freak out too much about the fingernail thing. Human papilloma virus (HPV) is the same virus that causes finger warts, plantar warts, etc and it is nearly everywhere. There are many different types, though, and only certain ones attach to the cervix (some were mentioned in the article); it doesn't necessarily mean that boys have this type of HPV. Most kids get a skin wart at one time or another and that may be why they found the virus under the kids' nails.
Make those appointments! Last I heard the upper age limit was 26, but they may have changed it...
16megln1022 and others who are over 26 my gyno told me that the FDA was getting ready to approve Gardasil for all women and to keep my ears open and keep asking because I would be a good candidate for it since I am getting ready to turn 27 and just found out I have one of the high risk types of HPV.
17I got my first shot a few weeks ago. I went to my doctor for a completely different reason and she suggested it.
18I was 29 when I got the shots, and submitted the bill to my insurance (Empire Blue) anyway - and they paid for it. Maybe it was a mistake, because the age limit definitely is 26, maybe they thought they'd been charging me so much every month they could do me this favor (yeah right!).
I had no side effects whatsoever from the injections. None. Actually, my OB/GYN explained to me that this particular vaccine is not like other vaccines which are usually made from benign strains of the virus. This vaccine isn't. It's a certain type of yeast. I know, sounds weird, and don't ask me more - this is all he explained to me; but that was in response to my concerns that it was a new vaccine and maybe the tests weren't run on a long enough period to know the side effects - like you, Leeluv. He said there was no danger because that's all this vaccine is; a certain type of yeast that disables the virus.
Thanks everyone for sharing your stories too; it made my entry feel a little less like the walk of shame!
And good luck to everybody. If the numbers are right, 4 of 5 of us are, were, or will be affected. Let's thank the docs for this wonderful vaccine!
Cheers!
19I really should do this.
20I was/still am a candidate for the regular cancer vaccine. I was told you get the same side effects as chemo, just more mild.
21My doctor told me I had HPV, and after 1 laser treatment it disappeared and hasn't been back in over a year.. now I might just be one of the lucky ones, but I hope to god it stays gone.. it scares the crap out of me.. I've gotten 2 out of the 3 shots for the vaccine, and I had no huge problems except my arm hurt for 2 days, and I couldn't lift it very high. getting this vaccine is the best thing you can do to save yourself.
22I just finished the series of shots for the vaccine in september and the only side effects I noticed was that my arm was sore for a couple of days.
23i m 17 year old. and i am male .i m straight and didint have any problem about my sexlife at all cuz i havent bin aware of this virus b4 hopefully i didn't cath any type of it and thinking of gettin this vaccine .
24one of my friends who s a gay told me that he catched this virus and told me to get garnasil. i hesitated cuz of ma age but i thought that i waz lucky for not catching it so b4 i get i should get vaccine .
but i ve totally changed ma mind when i heard that garnasil causes paralysis . any 1 has an idea bout that ?
I would definately get the vaccine. I've had all three of my HPV shots, my last one six months ago, and have had no problems. Needles dont really bother me, I just make sure my arm is relaxed. I also got my meningitis vaccination and a tetanus booster at my first appointment. Get your HPV shot in your left arm (if you're right handed) just incase you have some pain. It's a great vaccine. Hopefully they'll be giving it to boys soon.
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