Do not disclose hpv. However, there are several reasons why disclosing your HPV status may be important. Ultimately, because HPV is so prevalent and the timelines concerning transmission can be unclear, it’s commonly believed that individuals do not need to disclose their HPV status to partners. This is not a conversation to rush into. A couple of weeks ago, Vice shared the story of Katie, a millennial with genital herpes who struggled to find the optimal way to disclose her status to potential partners. Here’s how HPV can affect your relationship and what you can do about it. Whether you disclose OR do not disclose, It’s a lose / lose situation… Find supportive HPV disclosure message examples, HPV text message to partner templates, and guidance on what are good HPV disclosure scripts. Stoya: So I should probably avoid the internet the day this goes live, huh? Here are the facts about HPV and why follow-up is so important. I've tested positive for HPV, and I am mostly concerned about disclosure. There is no treatment for HPV, and in most cases, HPV leaves the body naturally. I'm aware there are differing opinions on whether disclosing HPV status is neccessary, but personally I definetely plan on disclosing it to any future partners. However, a woman may still chose to do so, so it is important to understand information needs and concerns around disclosure. HPV is not an STD, it is an STI. Hi there! During my (35 F) last Pap smear (Jan 2022), I had a normal Pap but I was positive for a strain of high risk HPV (not 16 or 18). Theoretically, you can be sued for not disclosing an STD beforehand but some doctors are encouraging patients not to treat HPV like an STD. To tell or not to tell? I know this isn’t going to be a popular post. If you’re asking yourself “How do I bring up HPV without freaking them out?”, start by thinking about where your relationship stands. Keywords: human papillomavirus, male, disclosure, sexually transmitted infection, sexual partnerships Being open about having contracted an STD like genital warts caused by certain strains of human papillomavirus (HPV) may foster trust between partners as well as encourage discussions around safe sex practices such as condom use even though condoms do not provide complete protection against all forms of transmission related to this virus. You do not need to disclose HPV during casual conversation or long before intimacy. . Doctors are not required to report HPV cases to any registries or public health departments. " I think HPV is something women need to be aware of for the sake of their own health, but not an STD that requires a "disclosure" discussion with partners. I still disclose to partners because I still get warts occasionally showing up. Ideally, disclosure happens when you both feel comfortable and trust has started to form—before physical intimacy enters the picture. Most people with HPV don’t even know they have it. So your partner may have been following the advice given from their doctor. In reality, most of us (who have not gone through treatment) have no idea our HPV status. but if I am just performing oral I do not disclose, only if I expect to have vaginal/anal intercourse with them. Learn more about dating with HPV here. What Happens If You Have HPV and Don’t Tell Your Partner? When you choose not to disclose HPV to a partner, several things can happen—some emotional, some practical, and some related to the relationship itself. How best to disclose HPV+ I have HPV (genital warts) In order to keep the Ethical in ENM, what is the best way to disclose when meeting people? I primarily use dating apps, but I do not want to put it on my profile. The question isn't whether I will or not (I most certainly will), but how and what should I expect? In the absence of a mandate enforceable in a court of law, 16 the Privacy Rule’s permission to disclose PHI for law enforcement purposes does not permit a disclosure to law enforcement where a hospital or other health care provider’s workforce member chose to report an individual’s abortion or other reproductive health care. My doctor confirmed, so I haven't always disclosed. Do you disclose your HPV or not? I know this has been a debate out there. I think it's legitimate to feel however you feel. Objective To review the quantitative and qualitative literature exploring women’s concerns about disclosing a high-risk cervical HPV infection to a sexual partner. Of all the novel ways to jump-start a difficult conversation, presenting someone with a hand-drawn comic about herpes is among the most creative. S. I have a follow up appointment with my gyno in 3 weeks. Disclosure was more likely in men with fewer partners, in main partnerships, and in longer partnerships. Because of the sexually transmitted nature of HPV, receiving an HPV-positive result may raise questions about disclosing the infection to a sexual partner. Disclosure did not lead to a perceived worsening relationship, and as disclosers were more likely to discuss the Pap test/HPV vaccine with their partners than non-disclosers, disclosure might be associated with public health benefits that derive from discussions about preventing HPV infections and cervical cancer. My question is, for those who do disclose it, when do you normally do so? Particularly so, how do you approach it if you enjoy engaging in casual sex? Hello. Today, we hear from one reader about whether or not they should disclose to a new partner that they have HPV. I was diagnosed a year ago with unspecified HR HPV, not 16, 18 or 45. Keywords: human papillomavirus, male, disclosure, sexually transmitted infection, sexual partnerships Identify cancers caused by HPV, reasons to get vaccinated against HPV, and clinical information. Have you had a few meaningful talks? What Should I Say When Telling Someone I Have HPV? When thinking how to tell your partner you have HPV without freaking them out, preparation matters. If you or your partner is diagnosed with HPV, you may have some questions. Negative HPV testing or cotesting is less likely to miss disease than normal cytology testing alone. Not to contravene that, but many doctors advise that disclosure isn't necessary, especially for high risk HPV, which is not commonly tested for in men and is less likely to cause them health problems. Is it illegal not to disclose HPV? Learn how U. Discloser. Finding out you have HPV can make you rethink everything about dating, intimacy, trust, and what you “owe” to someone you’re getting close to. Take it from someone who had to learn this the hard way and faced an angry partner and had some people stop associating with her. There's no shame in having an STI, but disclosing your status to sexual partners is important to ensure their and your safety. A partner may pursue a civil claim for negligence or battery, arguing they were harmed because disclosure did not occur. This summary is out of date. It’s interesting because in my reading HPV is the STI with the most controversy about disclosure. I am wondering what the right thing to do here is. These outcomes can be subtle, delayed, or immediate, but they’re worth understanding fully before you decide whether to stay quiet. About 42 million folks are in the HPV club right now, just chilling without any red flags. You might wonder whether relationships can still survive if you choose not to tell The wart-causing strains of the virus are not usually the same ones that cause abnormal Pap smears and cancer, but it’s still good to know and important to disclose to your partner that you have Just diagnosed with HPV, do I disclose to all previous partners? I (26F) got my routine STD testing done at my gyno and just received my results that I have HPV. May 28, 2025 · Wondering why some people don’t disclose HPV? Learn the emotional and social reasons, plus healthy ways to move forward in dating and relationships. Dec 3, 2025 · The HPV types transmitted sexually are spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact, not through casual interactions. Understand risks, emotional impact, guidance for healthier relationships. The non-sexual nature of transmission means there is no public health or ethical duty to disclose your HPV status to these individuals. So, what are the thoughts of those here? Do you freely disclose your HPV status? Do you ever feel you're being judged by disclosing HPV caused your cancer? Do you use it as an opportunity to educate the public/friends? Jul 12, 2023 · HPV is not considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that needs to be reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Learn the real consequences of telling or not telling your partner about HPV. Step 1: Prepare emotionally and practically Before the talk, learn as much as you can about HPV so you can answer questions confidently It's so funny how women are told not to disclose high risk hpv and have unsuspecting men going down on them and having unprotected sex with them all when she knows she's got hpv. laws treat HPV disclosure, potential legal risks, negligence claims, and how to protect yourself. If the HPV type is not HPV 16 or 18, and the cytology test is normal, return in 1 year is recommended in most cases. That said, you should not wait until the moment of sexual activity when emotions are high and communication becomes rushed. The research out there said disclosure is not necessary and a personal choice. If you’ve had sex, it’s highly likely you’ve contracted it at least once in your life. Unless you know for a fact (through abnormal cell growth or otherwise) that your body continues to harbor the virus, you may not have it "indefinitely. Do I need to disclose my HPV status? The answer to this question is not straightforward and will depend on a variety of factors. Learn how to talk to your partner about HPV with confidence. Among the cancer-related outcomes of HPV infection, invasive cervical cancer has been considered the most important worldwide, with about 570,000 new cases and over 300,000 attributable deaths in 2018. I had sex for the first time two years ago and highly regret that it was unprotected on several occasions. Here are the steps to take before, during, and after you disclose. HPV is like the common cold. What is HPV and how can I get it? HPV is a virus that is spread through skin-to-skin contact with someone who has HPV, though that person may not know it. Many people feel confused about whether they must disclose their diagnosis, especially because HPV is incredibly common, often invisible, and medically complicated. Clarifying the legal requirements, ethical duties, and privacy protections involved in disclosing an HPV diagnosis to a partner. Recently, I saw, some things on Reddit that had me second-guessing that decision. Additionally, this article – because it specifically highlights references to HPV in statutes and regulations at the state level – identifies how legislatures and agencies prioritize HPV vaccination-related issues regardless of federal policies. Your response is valid. I got vaccinated once I found out I had it. Disclosure was associated with discussing the Pap test/HPV vaccine with female partners and not associated with a worsening relationship. There are no good options when it comes to disclosure. Honestly, i would hold a lot of resentment towards someone if they had gw or any std/hpv and didnt disclose it before having sex, bc if it was me and i didnt have anything and i got it from that person, im gonna be pissed. I have read online from many medical sites that it is not necessary to disclose HPV. An HPV test, however, screens for high-risk types of HPV that could cause pre-cancers of the cervix. While you’re right that an HPV (human papillomavirus) infection may become undetectable or even clear up on its own, it’s hard to know for sure if it’s truly “gone. There never becomes a time when you don't have to, even if you revert to negative. Dec 25, 2023 · How Common Is HPV Anyway? Join the club—HPV is the membership fee for nearly all sexually active people. Laws about disclosing STIs do not apply to HPV. Prevention: Protecting Yourself and Others While there is no guaranteed way to prevent genital warts, there are several things you can do to reduce your risk: Get Vaccinated: The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that cause most genital warts and certain types of cancer. Here is a link where someone with the username "SweetSue23" says her doctor told her she didn't have to disclose HPV because you're "guaranteed" to have been exposed to it. Do you have to disclose HPV status? Unlike other STIs, there is no treatment for HPV, so it is not necessary to disclose HPV to current or previous sexual partners. It is extremely easy to transmit. For this reason, honesty A Papanicolaou test, also known as a Pap smear or Pap test, checks for abnormal cervical cells which could lead to cancer if left untreated, but they don't test for HPV itself. The Law and STDs - Do You Have a Legal Obligation to Tell Your Partner if You Have a Sexually Transmitted Disease? Find Out! Yes, you absolutely do have to disclose HPV to future partners at all times. Jun 27, 2025 · For instance, some states have broad public health laws that could be interpreted to require the disclosure of any communicable disease, including HPV. Having HPV does not mean that a person is unable to date others or engage in sexual activity. NOT looking for medical advce, just dating advice. In many cases, individuals who have been diagnosed with HPV may feel hesitant to disclose their status to their sexual partners. I am… 13 votes, 80 comments. ” Using a condom during casual sex can definitely reduce the risk of passing HPV to your partner (s), but it’s not guaranteed. I am writing here now, because I just had a horrible conversation with my recent sexual partner, after I disclosed my HPV positive result (Everything else was fine, my doctor said I just need to do annual check up to keep a close look on it ). Understanding HPV and Why It Matters in Dating Before thinking about disclosure, it’s important to understand what HPV actually means in a dating context. The good news? Mar 11, 2022 · Dear Reader, You’ve posed an interesting and complicated question. For a current summary of legislation, laws, and regulations related to sexually Disclosure was more likely in men with fewer partners, in main partnerships, and in longer partnerships. It can reactivate. HPV is a group of over 100 related viruses, and while some strains cause visible symptoms like genital warts, most types are harmless and clear naturally within a couple of years. To Disclose or Not to Disclose? It’s up to you. In a fit of inspiration, she wrote and illustrated a pamphlet that not only Wondering if you should disclose HPV to a partner? This supportive guide explains HPV, emotional challenges, communication tips, and how to date confidently. Confused why your doctor told you not to disclose HPV? Learn the medical reasons behind this advice, why HPV disclosure isn’t always necessary The Role of Civil Liability and Informed Consent While criminal mandates for HPV disclosure are uncommon, a patient still faces the risk of civil liability if a sexual partner is infected and decides to sue. Unlike other STIs, there is no treatment for HPV, so it is not necessary to disclose HPV to current or previous sexual partners. Other states have laws that only criminalize the transmission of specific STDs, most commonly HIV, and do not mention HPV at all. Thankfully, I received my lab results last week from my doctor and I am negative for HPV… I also realize it could return at any given point. 13 Though the vast majority of women with high-risk HPV infection do not develop cancer, persistent infection with high-risk HPV types is widely If you do decide to tell your partner you have HPV, it might help to include these points: HPV is very common in women and men who have ever had sex - four out of five people will have HPV at some point in their lives, and most won't even know it. Condoms do not protect against the infection, and the vaccine does not protect against all the 100+ strains of HPV. HPV testing or cotesting is preferred to cytology testing alone for follow-up after an abnormal test result. HPV doesn’t typically cause symptoms, which is why healthcare professionals screen for it. People cannot contract HPV from sharing food, using the same toilet seat, or hugging. This guide explains when to disclose, how to have the conversation, what reactions to expect. Disclosure is mandatory until therapeutic vaccines cure it so the virus becomes as The key is to be open and ethical about your STI to prevent the further spread of infection. evlcz3, z74a, duqlq, ykl3k6, jmpd, zqvk, qm3q, 65d1, y8a1q, ws2xp,