I'm sorry to hear of your recent HPV positive status. Like so many of us, it is quite devastating to receive this news and like all of us, you want it gone immediately. As Susan mentioned above this however is not possible and while you can attain negative status the virus will remain and can recur at any point in the future.
Many women end up with positive HPV status during or after pregnancy because the body's immune system is altered which allows for the virus to become active. Other things which can depress your immune system such as steroids (even topical ones often used during pregnancy for hemorrhoids) stress and smoking can also "activate" HPV. I would avoid the use of any topical steroids for hemorrhoids if you have them. This was what contributed to the conversion to invasive anal cancer while I was pregnant with my daughter. Unfortunately the majority of colorectal specialists are severely lacking when it comes to understanding HPV and will often prescribe steroid creams for hemorrhoids without knowledge of the connection.
One thing I would like to add to Susan's post is that you will not be able to determine from whom you got HPV even if you have only had intercourse with one person. Simple skin to skin contact with someone can convey the virus so it could be from someone with whom you were close but did not necessarily sleep with. Virgins can have HPV!
I'd suggest you get the vaccination after you deliver, and you may want to defer breast feeding in deference to getting the vaccine as HPV has been found in breast milk. Sorry for this bad news, I'm sure it does not help your current upset however being educated is key.
Please check my profile and feel free to contact me at my website which will provide you with more detailed information on HPV as well.
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I'm sorry to hear of your recent HPV positive status. Like so many of us, it is quite devastating to receive this news and like all of us, you want it gone immediately. As Susan mentioned above this however is not possible and while you can attain negative status the virus will remain and can recur at any point in the future.
Many women end up with positive HPV status during or after pregnancy because the body's immune system is altered which allows for the virus to become active. Other things which can depress your immune system such as steroids (even topical ones often used during pregnancy for hemorrhoids) stress and smoking can also "activate" HPV. I would avoid the use of any topical steroids for hemorrhoids if you have them. This was what contributed to the conversion to invasive anal cancer while I was pregnant with my daughter. Unfortunately the majority of colorectal specialists are severely lacking when it comes to understanding HPV and will often prescribe steroid creams for hemorrhoids without knowledge of the connection.
One thing I would like to add to Susan's post is that you will not be able to determine from whom you got HPV even if you have only had intercourse with one person. Simple skin to skin contact with someone can convey the virus so it could be from someone with whom you were close but did not necessarily sleep with. Virgins can have HPV!
I'd suggest you get the vaccination after you deliver, and you may want to defer breast feeding in deference to getting the vaccine as HPV has been found in breast milk. Sorry for this bad news, I'm sure it does not help your current upset however being educated is key.
Please check my profile and feel free to contact me at my website which will provide you with more detailed information on HPV as well.
March 4, 2011 - 9:00pmThis Comment
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