Sex is beautiful, intimate…and confusing.
Not just emotionally. Physically, there’s a lot going on below the belt that even doctors still don’t fully understand. And no, this has nothing to do with the G-spot and the many myths surrounding its existence. What’s really leaving experts baffled is the Human Papilloma Virus, an STI that can have dire consequences for those who contract it.
Human Papilloma Virus, or HPV, has become the most common STI. In fact, half of all men and three quarters of all women contract genital HPV at some point in their lives.
But what many people don’t know is that there are over 40 different HPV strains that cannot be cured, and not all can be avoided through preventative measures like taking Gardasil shots or using condoms. The shots only protect against several of the strains. Condoms, while highly encouraged by the CDC, don’t always cover the infected areas.
The only effective screening tests available for HPV are pap smears. Screening tests for men aren’t standardized or considered highly accurate.
To be fair, not all HPV strains are problematic. In fact, most are benign. Additionally, in 90% of cases, the immune system naturally clears the infection out of the body within two years.
There are also strains that can cause genital warts, warts in the throat and, in some cases, certain kinds of cancer, such as cervical and throat cancer. Curing the warts and/or cancers can take years.
To make matters worse, this sexually transmitted nightmare has been growing in prevalence. Over the last few decades, there has been a jump in cases of throat cancer that can be directly attributed to HPV. In 1984, HPV was the culprit behind 16% of cases. As of 2004, that number skyrocketed to 72%.
The only bright-side is that throat cancer caused by HPV has a higher survival time—131 months—than non HPV-related throat cancer—20 months—when left untreated.
Patients who develop any of these cancers may need surgery, radiation or chemotherapy, or a combination of these treatments. It’s not just cutting off a couple of growths or taking medicine for a few weeks or months.
Furthermore, although Gardasil has been approved for preventing many of the strains that lead to cervical cancer, there is no evidence that it offers significant protection against throat cancer.
Dr. Kevin J. Cullen, director of the Greenebaum Cancer Center at the University of Maryland, told the New York Times that this is “becoming a major epidemic.”
Experts link this rise in HPV-related throat cancer to increases in oral sex and the pervasive belief among younger people that oral sex is safer than sexual intercourse.
People can contract HPV from vaginal intercourse, anal sex and oral sex. For the record, every STI and STD can be transmitted through both oral and anal sex, including HIV and AIDS. The only “perk” of choosing oral or anal sex, health-wise, is that they can’t lead to pregnancy.
I’ll say the same thing my mom always told me about condom use and sexual intercourse: if the guy refuses to wear a condom for any sexual act, then he’s a dud. Walk away.
So how can we avoid contracting HPV? Unfortunately, there is no fool-proof method. There are, however, ways to decrease your likelihood of catching it.
The CDC recommends taking Gardasil or Cerarix shots, having only one committed sexual partner, getting regular screenings and pap smears and practicing safe sex—which means using condoms and dental dams, which provide protection during cunnilingus and anilingus.
And, as with anything else, understand that almost everything in life is attached to some risks. If you intend to become sexually active at any point in your life, you need to recognize the risk for HPV, no matter how “clean” you think your partner may be.