Aa
HPV positive in 50+ year monogamous relationship?
I am 75 years old & my gynecologist office just advised me that my recent pap showed atypical cells and tested positive for HPV non 16-18. I have had pap tests annually & this is my first abnormal test ever. I am now scheduled for a colposcopy which I understand is a precautionary procedure to determine if the atypical cells are 1.) harmless, 2.) pre-cancerous or 3.) cervical cancer.
I was a virgin when I married 53 years ago and I have only ever had sex of any kind with one person: my 80 year old husband. We have not had sex in recent years due to his issues with erectile dysfunction and radiation and hormone therapy for an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
As you can imagine, under these circumstances, the HPV results were both unbelievable and shocking. While I understand that HPV is very common and can be dormant for weeks, months & even years, I am having a hard time accepting the possibility that it could be dormant for 53 years.
While I am concerned about the physical aspects of the the possible diagnosis, I am managing to remain hopeful because I know that only a small percent of atypical cells actually lead to cervical cancer. And, I take some comfort in knowing that even if a biopsy should come back positive, any cancer would have been detected early.
Meanwhile, the emotional toll of learning I have high risk HPV has left me totally devastated. This is all I have thought about since hearing the results. I am struggling to imagine any scenario that would explain this unless my husband has been unfaithful at some point in our marriage.
I am desperately seeking some explanation that would put my mind (and heart) at ease. The anxiety and depression are overwhelming and certainly not healthy at a time when I need a strong immune system and a supportive husband.
Thank you for any insights you can provide.
I was a virgin when I married 53 years ago and I have only ever had sex of any kind with one person: my 80 year old husband. We have not had sex in recent years due to his issues with erectile dysfunction and radiation and hormone therapy for an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
As you can imagine, under these circumstances, the HPV results were both unbelievable and shocking. While I understand that HPV is very common and can be dormant for weeks, months & even years, I am having a hard time accepting the possibility that it could be dormant for 53 years.
While I am concerned about the physical aspects of the the possible diagnosis, I am managing to remain hopeful because I know that only a small percent of atypical cells actually lead to cervical cancer. And, I take some comfort in knowing that even if a biopsy should come back positive, any cancer would have been detected early.
Meanwhile, the emotional toll of learning I have high risk HPV has left me totally devastated. This is all I have thought about since hearing the results. I am struggling to imagine any scenario that would explain this unless my husband has been unfaithful at some point in our marriage.
I am desperately seeking some explanation that would put my mind (and heart) at ease. The anxiety and depression are overwhelming and certainly not healthy at a time when I need a strong immune system and a supportive husband.
Thank you for any insights you can provide.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi there -
I'm so very sorry you are going through this.
To start with, I'm not even sure why you're having pap smears. The current guidelines recommend against them for people over 65 so long as they haven't had cervical cancer or any abnormal cells in the past 20 years - https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/prevention-and-early-detection/cervical-cancer-screening-guidelines.html
There's also a good possibility that this is a false positive. Depending on how you were tested, there could be a 30% chance this is a false positive. The actual study - https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2686793 An article explaining the study - https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/family-medicine/news/archive/201807/harper-tells-npr-women-over-30-hpv-test-alone-may-decrease-rates-false-positives-compared-combined
Feel free to ask your doctor about what kind of test you had done before you have any invasive testing done.
There's a lot we don't know about HPV, but we do know that for most people, it clears from the body within 2 years. There are others, though, that it can be dormant for a long time. If your husband ever had any partners prior to you, then you could have had this for a long, long time.
I'm also sorry to hear that your husband is ill. My father died from prostate cancer, and it's a tough battle.
Let us know what happens.
I'm so very sorry you are going through this.
To start with, I'm not even sure why you're having pap smears. The current guidelines recommend against them for people over 65 so long as they haven't had cervical cancer or any abnormal cells in the past 20 years - https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/prevention-and-early-detection/cervical-cancer-screening-guidelines.html
There's also a good possibility that this is a false positive. Depending on how you were tested, there could be a 30% chance this is a false positive. The actual study - https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2686793 An article explaining the study - https://medicine.umich.edu/dept/family-medicine/news/archive/201807/harper-tells-npr-women-over-30-hpv-test-alone-may-decrease-rates-false-positives-compared-combined
Feel free to ask your doctor about what kind of test you had done before you have any invasive testing done.
There's a lot we don't know about HPV, but we do know that for most people, it clears from the body within 2 years. There are others, though, that it can be dormant for a long time. If your husband ever had any partners prior to you, then you could have had this for a long, long time.
I'm also sorry to hear that your husband is ill. My father died from prostate cancer, and it's a tough battle.
Let us know what happens.
18 Comments
Thank you Auntie Jessi for your very informative and kind reply.
Bingo! The possibility of a false positive was one of the questions I raised once I had processed what I was hearing over the phone. I even suggested my test results might have been mixed up with another patient's, but the young lady on the phone thought that was very unlikely. I told her straight out that I wasn't just in denial but that none of this made any sense to me: I was one of the last virgin brides in America. I was 75 years old, hadn't had sex in years and could count my sex partners on one finger! How can this possibly be?
Her response referenced the fact that HPV could be dormant for years and that it only took "one time". I didn't find her "one time" comment very reassuring or professional, but to be honest I think she was likely office staff and not a PA or nurse because she couldn't answer a couple of basic questions I had about colposcopies.
Thank you for the link to the study about false positives and especially for the link to the article explaining the study. I needed that article to understand what I had just read in the study! I will certainly follow-up with some questions about what kind of test was done before proceeding with the colposcopy.
As far as the continued annual pap tests are concerned my only answer is that I continued because my Gynecologist's office texts & calls to remind me every year. Also my Internist always inquires about pap, mammograms, etc. When I went on Medicare I inquired about whether annual paps were still necessary because I was under the impression that Medicare only paid for paps every other year. In my case, however, my insurance covers an annual pap, so I kept going. That is something I will rethink once this current situation plays out.
I will let you know what happens. Thank you again for your time and interest..
Bingo! The possibility of a false positive was one of the questions I raised once I had processed what I was hearing over the phone. I even suggested my test results might have been mixed up with another patient's, but the young lady on the phone thought that was very unlikely. I told her straight out that I wasn't just in denial but that none of this made any sense to me: I was one of the last virgin brides in America. I was 75 years old, hadn't had sex in years and could count my sex partners on one finger! How can this possibly be?
Her response referenced the fact that HPV could be dormant for years and that it only took "one time". I didn't find her "one time" comment very reassuring or professional, but to be honest I think she was likely office staff and not a PA or nurse because she couldn't answer a couple of basic questions I had about colposcopies.
Thank you for the link to the study about false positives and especially for the link to the article explaining the study. I needed that article to understand what I had just read in the study! I will certainly follow-up with some questions about what kind of test was done before proceeding with the colposcopy.
As far as the continued annual pap tests are concerned my only answer is that I continued because my Gynecologist's office texts & calls to remind me every year. Also my Internist always inquires about pap, mammograms, etc. When I went on Medicare I inquired about whether annual paps were still necessary because I was under the impression that Medicare only paid for paps every other year. In my case, however, my insurance covers an annual pap, so I kept going. That is something I will rethink once this current situation plays out.
I will let you know what happens. Thank you again for your time and interest..
You're welcome! I also needed the article explaining the study to explain it to me. :)
I'm really surprised no one thought of the possibility of a false positive, given your history. Even if your husband had ever cheated (and I'm not saying he did, I'm being clinical here for a moment), it would have been years ago, given his health situation. The odds of you not clearing a long-existing HPV infection (90% clear it within 2 years) AND never testing positive for it AND never having an irregular pap are really quite low. It's possible, but so unlikely.
Good luck, and please do let us know what happens. :)
I'm really surprised no one thought of the possibility of a false positive, given your history. Even if your husband had ever cheated (and I'm not saying he did, I'm being clinical here for a moment), it would have been years ago, given his health situation. The odds of you not clearing a long-existing HPV infection (90% clear it within 2 years) AND never testing positive for it AND never having an irregular pap are really quite low. It's possible, but so unlikely.
Good luck, and please do let us know what happens. :)
A lot has happened over the past two days & I am feeling much better. Yesterday I planned to call my Dr's office to inquire about any cancellations. I was hoping to move the colposcopy to an earlier date because when I scheduled originally, the first available appointment wasn't until mid-January.
Well, before I could finish my first cup of coffee my Dr's nurse called me. She said the lady who called with the results had written a lengthy note to the Dr about my reaction and said "someone needed to follow-up with me." The Nurse heard me out & agreed a false positive was indeed a possibility. She had already checked my pap results back to 1999 (as far back as their records went) and confirmed I had never had an abnormal Pap. She then scheduled me for TODAY & said they would redo the test separately instead of the combination Pap/HPV that was done originally.
Today the Nurse and then the Dr met with me & took time with my questions & concerns. I found out the test used was Thin Prep and that in addition to the positive HPV non 16-18, my Pap results were ASCUS - Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance. The Dr felt a false positive was a more likely explanation and that we should do another separate test. He made a point of saying it was possible for the virus to remain dormant for decades -- even 53 years, but that was very unlikely given my history & the fact that the virus usually clears within 2 years.
Bottom line: We retested & I went ahead with the colposcopy. He found one small area of concern & took a sample for a biopsy. I was quite undecided about whether to proceed with the colposcopy. It was tempting to wait for the results, but because we have several trips planned for the next few months I decided to go ahead with his recommendation. I really struggled with that decision, but I suppose since he found that one suspicious spot I made the right call. I am to call the nurse next Monday for the results.
Thank you again for your information and valuable insights. Your comments were most helpful and your words very reassuring.
Well, before I could finish my first cup of coffee my Dr's nurse called me. She said the lady who called with the results had written a lengthy note to the Dr about my reaction and said "someone needed to follow-up with me." The Nurse heard me out & agreed a false positive was indeed a possibility. She had already checked my pap results back to 1999 (as far back as their records went) and confirmed I had never had an abnormal Pap. She then scheduled me for TODAY & said they would redo the test separately instead of the combination Pap/HPV that was done originally.
Today the Nurse and then the Dr met with me & took time with my questions & concerns. I found out the test used was Thin Prep and that in addition to the positive HPV non 16-18, my Pap results were ASCUS - Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance. The Dr felt a false positive was a more likely explanation and that we should do another separate test. He made a point of saying it was possible for the virus to remain dormant for decades -- even 53 years, but that was very unlikely given my history & the fact that the virus usually clears within 2 years.
Bottom line: We retested & I went ahead with the colposcopy. He found one small area of concern & took a sample for a biopsy. I was quite undecided about whether to proceed with the colposcopy. It was tempting to wait for the results, but because we have several trips planned for the next few months I decided to go ahead with his recommendation. I really struggled with that decision, but I suppose since he found that one suspicious spot I made the right call. I am to call the nurse next Monday for the results.
Thank you again for your information and valuable insights. Your comments were most helpful and your words very reassuring.
I think you made the right call, given your schedule ,and the results. Lots of things cause ASCUS results, and while HPV is one of them, there are so many others - cysts, polyps, low hormone levels in post-menopausal women, yeast infections, etc.
I'm glad that your doctor was open to retesting, and I hope you let us know the results of the test and the biopsy.
Thanks for the update! I hope you have a happy holiday season :)
I'm glad that your doctor was open to retesting, and I hope you let us know the results of the test and the biopsy.
Thanks for the update! I hope you have a happy holiday season :)
I got the results today from my 12/16 biopsy and HPV retest.
The great news is the biopsy was negative -- No cancer or pre-cancerous cells. The report stated I had "chronic cervicitis & HPV changes."
The HPV test once again came back as positive for HPV non 16-18. The test used was "Thinprep split-out Always". I asked if the test used was a combination Pap & HPV test or were separate tests (as I requested) conducted this time. Initially the nurse could not say, but after checking with the lab she called me back with the answer: It was not a combination test -- It was done separately." So on the HPV diagnosis, I did not get the results or closure for which I had hoped.
I am scheduled for another Pap test in 6 months -- And just when I was about to finally quit having Pap tests!
Thank you again for your time, information & insights. If you have any suggestions on any appropriate follow-up questions, please let me know. I appreciate your help and support so much!
The great news is the biopsy was negative -- No cancer or pre-cancerous cells. The report stated I had "chronic cervicitis & HPV changes."
The HPV test once again came back as positive for HPV non 16-18. The test used was "Thinprep split-out Always". I asked if the test used was a combination Pap & HPV test or were separate tests (as I requested) conducted this time. Initially the nurse could not say, but after checking with the lab she called me back with the answer: It was not a combination test -- It was done separately." So on the HPV diagnosis, I did not get the results or closure for which I had hoped.
I am scheduled for another Pap test in 6 months -- And just when I was about to finally quit having Pap tests!
Thank you again for your time, information & insights. If you have any suggestions on any appropriate follow-up questions, please let me know. I appreciate your help and support so much!
Well, as happy as I am to hear that you don't have any cancer or pre-cancerous cells, I'm sorry to hear about the HPV.
The ThinPrep is a pap test that does the pap and HPV test from one sample. https://www.cancernetwork.com/articles/thinprep-pap-test-allows-both-pap-and-hpv-testing-single-sample-collection-vial
There is a ThinPrep assay that splits the sample for testing, which is what is sounds like you had done. Did they do the same test to confirm as they did the first time? If they did, that doesn't make much sense at all.
That would be my only question.
Healthwise, it doesn't sound as if it's going to make a big difference. You don't have pre-cancerous cells, they're going to monitor you.
Emotionally, I can see where it will for you. Don't hesitate to reach out for a counselor if you need one. If you are in a small town, and the receptionist at the only counseling center is your cousin's daughter or the person you leads your book club, there are online options you can use. https://www.betterhelp.com/ is one, but you'll have to self-pay. https://www.talkspace.com is another, but it's more expensive.
I can't advise you on how to handle this with your husband - I don't know him, don't know his current health status, if you'd be safe, etc., but I hope you find peace with this.
I'm also sorry you can't stop having paps! :(
The ThinPrep is a pap test that does the pap and HPV test from one sample. https://www.cancernetwork.com/articles/thinprep-pap-test-allows-both-pap-and-hpv-testing-single-sample-collection-vial
There is a ThinPrep assay that splits the sample for testing, which is what is sounds like you had done. Did they do the same test to confirm as they did the first time? If they did, that doesn't make much sense at all.
That would be my only question.
Healthwise, it doesn't sound as if it's going to make a big difference. You don't have pre-cancerous cells, they're going to monitor you.
Emotionally, I can see where it will for you. Don't hesitate to reach out for a counselor if you need one. If you are in a small town, and the receptionist at the only counseling center is your cousin's daughter or the person you leads your book club, there are online options you can use. https://www.betterhelp.com/ is one, but you'll have to self-pay. https://www.talkspace.com is another, but it's more expensive.
I can't advise you on how to handle this with your husband - I don't know him, don't know his current health status, if you'd be safe, etc., but I hope you find peace with this.
I'm also sorry you can't stop having paps! :(
Thanks Aunt Jessie,
Fortunately I live in a large metropolitan area with excellent health & mental health resources. I won't hesitate to seek out the help I might need.
The nurse on the phone today was not the one I talked with or met with last week, so she was not all all familiar with my situation & concerns. I know the name of the lab that conducted both tests. Do you think the lab would answer my question about the type of HPV test used both times? Or will a lab only communicate directly with Doctors?
I was not fully comfortable that the nurse on the phone today understood why I was asking that question or why the correct answer was so important to me. She agreed to call the lab to inquire, but then she really blew right past me with a quick "No -- It was a separate test."
Thanks again.
Fortunately I live in a large metropolitan area with excellent health & mental health resources. I won't hesitate to seek out the help I might need.
The nurse on the phone today was not the one I talked with or met with last week, so she was not all all familiar with my situation & concerns. I know the name of the lab that conducted both tests. Do you think the lab would answer my question about the type of HPV test used both times? Or will a lab only communicate directly with Doctors?
I was not fully comfortable that the nurse on the phone today understood why I was asking that question or why the correct answer was so important to me. She agreed to call the lab to inquire, but then she really blew right past me with a quick "No -- It was a separate test."
Thanks again.
That's OK...Now that i think about it, I think I will call the lab tomorrow and ask about the 2 tests. And, if they won't discuss them with me, I'll put in a call to the nurse who helped me last week or the Dr. Thanks again for being there when I needed you.
It never hurts to call the lab. They may not answer, but you won't know unless you ask.
Keep us posted, and happy holidays!
Keep us posted, and happy holidays!
And you're welcome. I wish I had better answers for you. :(
Now I know...He didn't have a one night stand. He didn't have a weekend fling. He didn't have a secret affair. He has been living a f**king double life for 30 years. Could it get any worse? Yes it can...She has been a friend & business associate of ours since the late seventies. The only good news is that she just had a massive stroke. Karma's such a *****.
Oh Polly. I'm so, so, so sorry. How did you find out?
I wish I could give you big hugs.
We have a Relationships forum, if you need advice or support or need to just f**king vent (god knows I would need to vent all over the place). You can find it here - https://www.medhelp.org/forums/Relationships/show/78
I'm just so sorry. At least you know. (I know, that's small solace right now.)
Hugs to you.
I wish I could give you big hugs.
We have a Relationships forum, if you need advice or support or need to just f**king vent (god knows I would need to vent all over the place). You can find it here - https://www.medhelp.org/forums/Relationships/show/78
I'm just so sorry. At least you know. (I know, that's small solace right now.)
Hugs to you.
The same week I got the Pap/HPV results I saw an email from a florist confirming delivery of a doz red roses to our financial advisor in a local hospital. Initially I was simply annoyed that he didn't sign my name to the card & hadn't mentioned she was in the hospital. So I said to him "Hey what's going on with XXXX." He replied something vague about losing touch with her since she retired.
Red Flag! But I didn't pursue it immediately...I was so confused. I went back to the email & that is when I noticed the exact wording on the card: Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Love, XXXX. I was shaking all over. I took a screen shot & then searched his mail box. I found numerous jokes they had exchanged as well as notes such as "Hi Beautiful! Miss you. Love you always."
I confronted him that night by calmly stating: "I need some help here. I'm trying to figure out under what possible circumstances you would find it necessary to lie to me about XXXX." He was stunned speechless. When he finally spoke it was textbook. First complete denial. Then when confronted with the emails he proceeded to blame the victim: "You never understood me," etc.
The first night he confessed to approx. 10 years. Then when he made reference to our volunteer work after Katrina, I picked up my cell phone right in front of him & asked: "What year was hurricane Katrina?" The answer 2005. So I said "We're now up to 15 years. Do I hear 25? 30?" By the end of the week he had confessed to 33 years. I am sick. More than half of my adult life has been based on lies.
We are seeing therapists. He's begging for forgiveness. He is so ashamed & scared to death--afraid he'll lose his family & his position in the community & church. But more hurtful details keep coming out in dribs & drabs & the pain is too raw for me to make any decisions right now. I need help with my anger & grief before I can even begin to think about what to do about our marriage.
Thanks again for your support.
Red Flag! But I didn't pursue it immediately...I was so confused. I went back to the email & that is when I noticed the exact wording on the card: Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Love, XXXX. I was shaking all over. I took a screen shot & then searched his mail box. I found numerous jokes they had exchanged as well as notes such as "Hi Beautiful! Miss you. Love you always."
I confronted him that night by calmly stating: "I need some help here. I'm trying to figure out under what possible circumstances you would find it necessary to lie to me about XXXX." He was stunned speechless. When he finally spoke it was textbook. First complete denial. Then when confronted with the emails he proceeded to blame the victim: "You never understood me," etc.
The first night he confessed to approx. 10 years. Then when he made reference to our volunteer work after Katrina, I picked up my cell phone right in front of him & asked: "What year was hurricane Katrina?" The answer 2005. So I said "We're now up to 15 years. Do I hear 25? 30?" By the end of the week he had confessed to 33 years. I am sick. More than half of my adult life has been based on lies.
We are seeing therapists. He's begging for forgiveness. He is so ashamed & scared to death--afraid he'll lose his family & his position in the community & church. But more hurtful details keep coming out in dribs & drabs & the pain is too raw for me to make any decisions right now. I need help with my anger & grief before I can even begin to think about what to do about our marriage.
Thanks again for your support.
I'm so sorry. I can't begin to imagine what you are going through, but I'm so happy to hear you're in therapy. I agree in not making any decisions right now, and letting it all settle a bit.
We're here if you ever need us for anything. Hugs to you.
We're here if you ever need us for anything. Hugs to you.
I thought I'd take a minute to bring you up to date. To say 2020 has been the craziest, most stressful year of my life is an understatement!
The 'Cliff Notes" version is that we have been thru months of individual counseling & marriage counseling. I consulted an attorney in February for guidance on what steps I should take to protect myself financially. It was so hard to walk away from a 53 year marriage, but at the end of July I made that decision after discovering he had flat-out lied to me & our marriage counselor about the other woman being back in town. She was not only back in town, but he had already seen her. Two days later I filed for a legal separation.
Our state is a no-fault state so all marital property including the home is divided 50/50. My attorney, however advised me that I could ask for whatever I wanted...It didn't mean I would get it, but I could ask. She explained that I could sue him for personal injury for giving me the STD. When I inquired about how that worked, she said that usually it's not necessary to follow thru with the lawsuit...It just gives extra leverage in the negotiations. Many times the simple threat of a law suit is enough to get the cheating spouse to agree to the betrayed spouse's terms. She said that is especially true when the man is prominent & well-known in the community. When he totally rejected my original proposal, my attorney responded to his attorney and requested that he reconsider my requests. She explained that IF he would agree to my terms, I would waive my right to sue him for personal injury. He then agreed to EVERYTHING I asked for including 100% of our home.
Life is still an emotional roller coaster, but I am stronger than I ever thought I was. Covid lock downs haven't helped, but I will survive! Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
I am sharing my story because while laws vary from state to state, it may be helpful for others in my position to know about the option to sue for personal injury when someone gives you an STD.
Thank you again for your support.
The 'Cliff Notes" version is that we have been thru months of individual counseling & marriage counseling. I consulted an attorney in February for guidance on what steps I should take to protect myself financially. It was so hard to walk away from a 53 year marriage, but at the end of July I made that decision after discovering he had flat-out lied to me & our marriage counselor about the other woman being back in town. She was not only back in town, but he had already seen her. Two days later I filed for a legal separation.
Our state is a no-fault state so all marital property including the home is divided 50/50. My attorney, however advised me that I could ask for whatever I wanted...It didn't mean I would get it, but I could ask. She explained that I could sue him for personal injury for giving me the STD. When I inquired about how that worked, she said that usually it's not necessary to follow thru with the lawsuit...It just gives extra leverage in the negotiations. Many times the simple threat of a law suit is enough to get the cheating spouse to agree to the betrayed spouse's terms. She said that is especially true when the man is prominent & well-known in the community. When he totally rejected my original proposal, my attorney responded to his attorney and requested that he reconsider my requests. She explained that IF he would agree to my terms, I would waive my right to sue him for personal injury. He then agreed to EVERYTHING I asked for including 100% of our home.
Life is still an emotional roller coaster, but I am stronger than I ever thought I was. Covid lock downs haven't helped, but I will survive! Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
I am sharing my story because while laws vary from state to state, it may be helpful for others in my position to know about the option to sue for personal injury when someone gives you an STD.
Thank you again for your support.
I was thinking of you recently, and was wondering how you were doing. I'm sorry that it had to come to this, and can't imagine everything you've been through, but I'm so proud of you for standing your ground. I'm sure it wasn't easy.
Woman scorned, indeed. :) I love that you have found out how strong you are. We never find out until we have to, obviously, but I'm glad you see it. I know this isn't how you ever expected to spend this time in your life, but there is an absolute joy in doing what you want, when you want it and how you want it. Enjoy every minute of that.
Thank you for the update, and I hope you are in good health, and staying safe in this crazy, wild time.
Woman scorned, indeed. :) I love that you have found out how strong you are. We never find out until we have to, obviously, but I'm glad you see it. I know this isn't how you ever expected to spend this time in your life, but there is an absolute joy in doing what you want, when you want it and how you want it. Enjoy every minute of that.
Thank you for the update, and I hope you are in good health, and staying safe in this crazy, wild time.
Dear AuntieJessi,
Thank you for your kind reply. I have kept a journal throughout this past year. I also have hours of recordings. The book should be a doozy! The longest chapter is titled "Stupid Things Cheaters Say".
Stay safe & well & best wishes always.
MrsPollyanna
Thank you for your kind reply. I have kept a journal throughout this past year. I also have hours of recordings. The book should be a doozy! The longest chapter is titled "Stupid Things Cheaters Say".
Stay safe & well & best wishes always.
MrsPollyanna
Ohh I'll buy that book, for sure!
Take care!
Take care!
COMMUNITY LEADER
Hi and sorry about your fears and worry but all will be ok. Yes HPV can lie dormant for many years even a life time. Studies do show it can develop from many reasons as a change in your immunity which can take place from even taking medications, stress, trama and the list goes on. You sound as is you are in a very loving relations ship so i would lean more the dormancy as why its appearing now. Im sure all will be ok.
dave
dave
1 Comments
Thank you for your prompt and reassuring reply. I have read that HPV can lie dormant for "years and even decades". I've also read that "HPV persistence can occur for up to 10 to 15 years." To learn that HPV can actually be dormant for a lifetime does help explain and significantly ease my current stress over my pap results. Thank you for sharing.
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