Can HPV go away on its own?

i just figured out i have hpv. and i gave it to my girlfriend. should we still be having sex even though we both have it?

Hello all,

The comments on this post seem to be really helpful, so I thought I'd ask my own question. I've been with my boyfriend for almost three years, and we've never had sex (I'm a virgin). The more time passes, the more I think I'm ready to have sex with him, HOWEVER, he told me that his ex-girlfriend had HPV. I'm 24, and I got the Gardasil vaccine when I was 21/22, but I don't know what strain of HPV my boyfriend might have (so I don't know if I'm protected against it), and I'm concerned about the possiblity of oral cancer (if we ever have oral sex in the future) as well. According to these comments, HPV lives in your system forever, but does that mean it can be passed on at any time as well? Is there EVER going to be an HPV test for men, and should I wait for it? Any recommendations?

Thanks everyone.

I was told that I was positive for HPV about 5 years ago. It was the first time I had the pap reverse tested (or whatever it is they do). I have had STD tests in the past that were clean (YAY). Since then I have had a normal pap followed by 2 abnormal paps and then another normal pap...you get the picture. The doctor has decided to refer me for a colposcopy that will happen the beginning of May. Although I have HPV and my Mom had cervicitis as well, besides that I have very low risk factors so I am hoping all comes back normal. I am not sure if my dr is still testing for HPV when she does paps or not so maybe it has cleared up, I hopw to get more information from the gyno.

I am upset with myself. I by no means was sleeping around, but I had a tough home life and had some screwed up 'relationships'. My first time I was 15 and raped. I don't like using that word because I envision rape as violent...not your boyfriend forcing himself on you even after telling him no several times. After that I thought 'it's already gone so whatever'. I was very hurt and bottled things up and it turned into sleeping with a few more guys because it 'didn't matter anymore' until I decided what I was doing was stupid after meeting my husband. I've been with 9 (over a period of 8 years) guys besides my husband. Some had been around so God knows where I picked it up. I have been with my husband for 8 years now in a monogamous relationship. I also have 2 kids so have basically been breastfeeding for almost 5 years now (which I understand also reduces your risk). I just hope any young people reading this won't be stupid like I was. I have no physical signs of HPV but it is there. Here's hoping the colposcopy goes as planned :)

Hi Anon - First, congratulations on your pregnancy and all the wonderful things that will come with it.

Next, some information about getting positive results for High Risk HPV. The testing shows that you may have infections that could put you at risk for developing cervical cancer. In most cases, the testing enables women to go through a diagnostic and testing process BEFORE cervical cancer develops.

You may be worried about whether HPV could be passed on to the baby. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that this is a very rare occurrence.
Additionally, no link has been found between HPV and miscarriage, premature delivery, or other pregnancy complications. The following link provides more information: http://www.webmd.com/sexual-conditions/hpv-pregnancy

If your tests come back positive for cervical cancer that will impact your in a number of ways. One really important thing to know is that cervical cancer, when detected in the early stages, is very treatable. You can learn more about cervical cancer here: https://www.empowher.com/media/reference/cervical-cancer#definition

Anon, I'm bothered by your statement that you can't help but think you did something wrong, especially since you also said you'd never heard of anyone getting HPV. You didn't do anything wrong. There are currently more than 20 million people in the U.S. who have HPV, and more than half of all sexually active people will have some type of HPV virus at some point in their lives. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted virus. Here are some resources so you can learn more about it:
http://www.cdc.gov/STD/HPV/STDFact-HPV.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/hpv/

Since HPV infections are common the people on your medical team most likely have prior experience with other patients in your situation. Your doctor's office is another resource for you in getting information and support.

Please read the links we've provided and please also keep in touch and let us know what you learn on April 7. We wish you, and your baby, all the best. Let us know if you have more questions too.

Take good care, Pat

Hey guys,
Im 20 & today just found out that i got an abnormal pap smear back
& told me that i tested positive for high risk hpv .
i couldnt do anything but cry i had never heard of anyone getting the virus.
Im also 12 weeks pregnant and not sure what to feel or think. i know its really common now with about 80% of people getting it but i still cant help to think I
did something wrong. I have tests on april 7th and really nervous about whats going to happen & if it comes back bad and can harm me worse or really harm the baby if i have cervical cancer!

What are the chances if two and a half years have passed that the HPV (low grade) virus would still leave your system if you are over 50? A leep was performed a year ago.

Thanks for all the posts and information on this site. I am also a middle-aged woman who never dreamed I would be dealing with something like HPV. I was divorced when I was in my early 20s and did not date or be with a man for 19 year. I was too busy raising my 2 children. I started dating after my children were grown and on their own and have only dated 2 men, with the relationships 1 1/2 years apart (it took me that long to recover from the first broken heart). I learned in January that I have HPV, most likely from my current (2nd) boyfriend who I have dated for over a year. When we first started dating, both of us went to the doctor and got tested for every STD which came back negative for both of us. I had only vaguely heard of HPV,and he had never heard of it until now. I have ACUS (abnormal cells of unknown significance) and high-risk HPV. I am terrified most of the time and it has stopped our sex life in its tracks. I am afraid I will get cervical or anal cancer from this (HPV). My colposcopy is in 2 weeks. It was supposed to be this week, but the doctor had to perform an emergency c-section that day and was held up at the hospital. So they rescheduled it. My question is, will this go away, as she (doctor) said it usually does and should I ask for an anal pap? Will a doctor actually do one of these. I am almost afraid to ask because she already said I don't have to follow up with any tests for anal or oral cancer related to HPV because they are just not really seeing much of it, and "they see HPV all the time" in their ob/gyn practice. Any thoughts on this? Where would I get an anal pap?

Im 17 years old and the first guy i ever dated or had sex with gave me genital warts.. tlk about bad luck? huh. im really depressed and upset over this its all i think about i just want it to go away so i can live a normal teenage life. you would think im a slut because i have been diagnosed but thats not even the case i was completely prude before i met this guy. not to mention i waited 4 months before having sex with him. he didnt know he had hpv until he broke out with warts. i dont know what to do i am constantly crying over it i just wish i new wether or not this ever goes away and if ill ever be normal again. if not i guess i am never going to find another man to be with. so depressing and sad.