Dealing with the Social Stigma and Misconceptions attached to HPV
There are a lot of rumours, myths and misconceptions about sexually transmitted HPV, and, in some social circles, an unfortunate stigma attached to people who suffer from HPV. These falsehoods range from simple misinterpretation of the actual HPV facts, to outright silliness. Let’s take a moment to dispel these mistruths as well as we can…
Only prostitutes get sexually transmitted diseases like HPV genital warts!
This misconception is one of the most common, and perhaps the most unfortunate. In some communities, people who contract HPV wind up feeling too ashamed to tell even their doctor, and this leads to HPV sufferers who never get the proper treatment because they’re too embarrassed to even admit that they contracted HPV.
The truth of the matter is that more than fifty percent of sexually active people will contract some form of sexually transmitted HPV sometime in their lives, and the causes of HPV can affect anyone. Luckily, most forms of HPV are relatively benign and may come and go without the infected person even knowing they’ve been infected. Other forms may lead to genital warts and even cervical cancer, but it is just plain ridiculous to allege that only promiscuous people or “workin’ girls” will become infected. You could have sex with only one partner your entire life and still contract a form of HPV.
You can spot HPV on sight alone
Many forms of HPV do not have any visible signs, including the types which can lead to cancer. HPV does not necessarily mean ‘genital warts’. In fact, genital warts, unsightly and uncomfortable as they are, do not typically lead to cancer at all, meaning that, yes they are unpleasant, but they are not considered “high risk”. The only way to know for sure if you are infected with HPV or not is to have HPV testing or STD testing conducted by medical professionals.
If the warts have been treated, HPV is not contagious
To be fair, while this might easily be chalked up to misunderstanding, the fact is that researchers aren’t quite sure. Many subjects are reluctant to talk about their sex lives with researchers, and this can make an HPV hard to track from partner to partner, so some of the details get a little murky and we can’t be 100% sure whether or not HPV can be transmitted when there are no genital warts.
It is generally believed that the human papillomavirus can be passed on whether it is showing visible genital warts symptoms of HPV or not, so while research is inconclusive, it is best not to risk it. Look into HPV vaccination, and always, always practice safe sex.
“My monogamous partner has venereal warts, they must’ve cheated on me!”
HPV statistics suggest that most people who are infected with HPV don’t’ even know it. HPV can be contracted, and then lie latent for weeks, months, years, or a person’s entire life, without showing any symptoms. It is entirely possible to contract HPV from a sexual partner even decades before meeting your current partner, and not see any genital warts or other symptoms until well into the monogamous relationship (or ever, for that matter). HPV is not a sign of infidelity, and the misconception that it is has, unfortunately, broken apart more than a few loving couples.
Conclusion…
Be informed. HPV affects billions of people, not just those who have casual sex. Everyone is at risk to some extent, and the only way to arm yourself is with the facts. Practice safe sex, read all the available information on HPV, and ask your doctor any questions you might have. Don’t be ashamed or embarrassed, and don’t waste your time worrying about what misinformed people say.