Real People Stories – Maria Diaz
I was 20 or 21 when I received my HPV Test and diagnosis. Now I’m 29. At that time, I was very rigorous with cytology, and one came out altered. The STD Test Doctor called me when I was in class, and she told me I had to go. Although she explained it to me, I felt supremely disoriented. They did a second repeat exam, and I knew that the HPV type I had was not high risk, but I understood that sometime later.
The doctor told me that this was something that practically all women have experienced. That calmed me down because I was feeling judged. She also told me that I should raise my defences. And she disappeared.
But some time later, a little over a year later, I had a strange cytology again. That time, I didn’t worry so much anymore. They gave me the exam in which they made a scratch, and I began to take care of myself, eat well, and wait for my body to eliminate it. So it was. Nine years have passed since then.
Laura
A good doctor made the process easier for me.
I had HPV. The truth is it was quite simple and I was lucky that I got a divine doctor. He did a biopsy on me to get the STD type because what he explained to me is that there is a scale that measures the severity. Mine wasn’t on the scale, so no problem. Furthermore, he told me that the cauterization of the biopsy itself reduced or eliminated it. I don’t remember anything hurting, and I had no further problems.
I have no idea how I got infected since I had a stable partner for a while. The funny thing is that 20 years ago, I had an ex who, when I left him, told his friends that I had cheated on him because he had HPV. Absurd.
Louise
Dentists should also be aware of the disease.
I am 36 years old. During a visit to the periodontist, she told me that I had two cauliflower-type lesions in my mouth (Tests show that the types of HPV that can cause lesions can also do so in the area called the oropharynx, that is, part of the throat and tongue, soft palate and tonsils), presumably due to Papilloma. I have a pending evaluation for maxillofacial surgery to scrape and determine if it is the virus. My blood tests have been negative, and the STD smears have come back fine, so I am grateful that dentists pay attention to the issue and that it is not just a gynaecological issue. It’s a bit scary and embarrassing just at the possibility. Still, the professionals (all women) have spoken to me very naturally and have never asked, for example, about my sexual practices or other topics that could come up.
Anonymous
Asking provides you with information and empowers
«When you receive the news that you have an infection, you are very scared. The first thing you do is search the internet to find out exactly what that means, what can happen to you and, above all, what you have done to have become infected. The first thing you encounter are words like “cancer” or “sexually transmitted disease (STIs).”
In addition to the scare, you feel guilty.
You think, what have I done wrong? Have I not attended reviews with the recommended frequency? Why didn’t I get a vaccination at the time? Is my sex life not STD healthy? Am I going to have cancer? Why me? And you start to beat yourself up a lot.
I would tell you to speak to yourself as you would speak to your sister, best friend or daughter. Treat yourself well and encourage yourself because everything else is useless. Take away the guilt.
With a little time, you will realize that you have not done anything wrong; you have taken care of yourself as best as you could; perhaps you did not get the HPV vaccination because, at the time, it was not required in your vaccination schedule, and you stopped doing it, your sexual life. It’s whatever you feel like; it’s not your fault. Also, know that you are not the only one, that it happens to many people, but that it is not told or talked about with the naturalness with which we talk about other diseases because it makes us ashamed.
I found a lot of comfort in talking about STI infections with people close to whom it had happened, but it was difficult for me to find them because, as I say, we hide it. Talking to my gynaecologist and nurse also helped me a lot. Asking them provides information and empowers you because you begin understanding the implications of a papilloma infection.
I’ll tell you now:
Your life will continue as normal, and it won’t stop you from doing practically anything, so relax and get on with your life. Of course, it’s time to take care of yourself. Now, yes. Taking care of yourself is not only about eating well and exercising but also about being calm. Read, inform yourself, and clarify all your doubts, all the ones that don’t let you sleep at night. Listen to your gynaecologist about everything, and of course, get vaccinated.
In short, don’t beat yourself up; help your wonderful body beat the virus. Seek support if you need it, and be patient; you will get out of this. A hug to all.”
Anna
Sharing my experience with the Human Viral Disease
Hello, I’ll tell you my case, first, don’t be scared. Since 2007, I have been getting HPV, specifically tested for variant 73. Well, I had STD checkups every 6 months and then every year, and it didn’t appear until after 2 years. I have a lot of confidence in the gynaecologist I go to. Her father is already retired, but he was head of oncology at La Fe, and he explained to me that 80% of women have this virus. Our defences attack it, and it comes and goes. As you say, the 16th and 18th are the most likely to turn bad.
For me, when the cytology comes back normal, they give me a year’s worth, and when my cytology comes back low, they give me 6 months, and they do a colposcopy and biopsy. I also have to tell you that this also drives me crazy because I went to other clinics, and the same test 15 days apart gave me a high grade, and they told me that I had to have surgery. I returned to mine and explained that many private gins operated at a minimum but for nothing but making money with insurance companies.
What I recommend is that you look for a trusted STD Gynaecologist who will perform colposcopy and biopsy and not make you dizzy anymore. Even if something happens, you go for a check-up every 6 months. It doesn’t cost you anything, instead of a year, but don’t worry. In the biopsy, I got CIN 1, and with that, they are reviewed every 6 months, and that’s it. GREETINGS and calm down.