<p>Umm, thank you so much it helped alot.</p>
<p>I didn’t think that lesbians got HVP, but I did think that they could from female partner who has had sex with a male before.</p>
<p>I’ll think about it, I haven’t even gotten a pap smear either. I’m actually scared to, I’ve heard horrible stories. Virgin for life.</p>
<p>Remember that some of your future partners likely have had sex with men in their past. They may not like to talk about it or may feel embarrassed, so you can’t always depend on they say. I don’t quite remember how old you are, but you should see a gynocologist once you’re 18 or sexually active–whichever comes first. It’s not fun, but it’s easy and relatively painless. Get a good referral from your primary doctor or from a good friend. You can request a man or a woman, depending on who would make you feel most comfortable. Gynocologists are used to nervous teenagers, so they try to make you feel relaxed and comfortable. It’s their job. You’re nothing without your body and your mind, so you should nurture both.</p>
<p>Bbecker, even if my daughter were to wait until marriage to lose her virginity, she still should have the vaccine in case her husband had had a partner in the past. He could give her the virus.That’s the way D’s pediatrician explained it to me.</p>
<p>My daughter is the biggest wimp ever when it comes to needles and medical procedures. She said her arm was a little sore afterward the HPV vaccine, but not any more than after any other shot she has had. As far as her first gynie exam–she was very nervous, but the dr. put her at ease and she said though it certainly wasn’t fun, it was easily tolerable.</p>
<p>The Spring 2007 issue of “Medicine on the Midway” – The Magazine of the University of Chicago Biological Sciences Division has an editorial by Kenneth Alexander, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of pediatrics and section chief of pediatric infectious disease at the University of Chicago. His research involves the human papillomavirus transcription control, DNA replication, innate immune responses and antiviral therapy. </p>
<p><a href=“Hospitals, Clinics & Doctors in IL - UChicago Medicine”>Hospitals, Clinics & Doctors in IL - UChicago Medicine; near the bottom of the page look for ** Perspective (PDF)
Pediatrician Kenneth Alexander looks at the pros and cons of the mandated HPV vaccinations. By Kenneth Alexander, MD, PhD **</p>
<p>An interesting point: Pap smears will still be an essential part of the cervical cancer battle because the HPV vaccine prevents only 70 percent of high-grade cervical dysplasias and cervical cancers. I hope women who receive the vaccine will not think they are exempt from getting pap smears.</p>
<p>His article also discusses budgets, costs, and decisions. Cervical cancer rates are dropping 4.5%/year and cervical cancer is already rare. The vaccine is expensive and health care dollars are limited. To vaccinate all the 11-year-old girls in Illinois this year alone would cost $40 million. He recommends we spend more time deliberating the best use of public health funds.</p>
<p>There are many other interesting points if you’d like to read it.</p>
<p>Not to steal the thunder from another CC mom I personally correspond with, but she was kind enough to direct me to this newest research. The article presents some new information regarding multiple oral sex partners, HPV and throat cancer. There is still lots of research to be done, but it seems as if we still don’t know all the potential hazards of contracting HPV. </p>
<p>As parents, it’s awkward enough talking to our kids about sexual intercourse, but now they must be made aware of the risks of oral sex, too. And this will force a new dialogue amongst parents who only teach abstinence, and feel there’s little need to have frank discussions about STDs. Because thanks to Bill Clinton, we all know oral sex is not sexual intercourse (please hear my sarcasm) so it need not be on the list of dangerous activities. </p>
<p>Regarding the above comment about the cervical cancer battle, I totally agree… getting this vaccine should not discourage anyone from regular pap smears. But with this new threat of throat cancer, I can see a new type of screening/testing being just as important in one’s overall health maintenance program. I suspect whatever current recommendations ones health care provider gives, they will be evolving over the next few years based on these new findings.</p>
<p>The article: </p>
<p><a href=“Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center”>Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center;