HPV

HPV

Oral Sex Causes Oral Cancer—But Don’t Wig Out

Lissa Rankin, March 2, 2011

Oral Sex Cancer

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could blame all oral cancers on smoking ciggies and boozing it up? At least we already know we’re better off ditching those vices. But are we supposed to have NO fun? I mean, seriously.

For the most part, oral sex is pretty dang safe. You can’t get knocked up. It’s much harder to contract most sexually transmitted diseases. And it feels oh-oh-oh so good. But it seems all good things come at a price.

NPR & CBS News just reported new data showing that 64% of all cancers of the oral cavity, head, and neck are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is usually spread to the mouth and surrounding areas via oral sex. Turns out that anyone with six or more lifetime oral sex partners has an eight-fold higher risk of these kinds of cancers than someone who has never had oral sex before.

HPV on Pap Smear

Lissa Rankin, October 19, 2010

On the road, answering anonymous questions during my Ask The Girlfriend Gyno chats on my book tour for What’s Up Down There?, questions about HPV -- human papillomavirus -- keep arising. With up to 80% of women destined to contract HPV at some point in their lives (if they haven’t been vaccinated), it’s no wonder this is such a big issue.

Many of the questions about HPV revolve around HPV diagnosed only on a Pap smear, without any symptoms, warts, precancerous changes of the Pap smear, or cervical cancer.

Because the HPV test is relatively new, these issues are too. For many years, we didn’t have an easy way to screen for HPV. And even when we did, it was often only used for women who had atypical squamous cells (ASCUS) on a Pap smear. But now, more and more docs are testing routinely for HPV, leading to a whole lot of confusion, panic, and issues of negative self image. So it’s no wonder these questions keep coming up.

Getting Off The Pill

Guest Author, July 23, 2010

Lauren Sheehan is breaking through the barriers of inauthenticity and masks through Feminine Rhythm. As she quotes on her site, "every time you come in contact with the ground you are sending a shock-wave of energy into the earth proclaiming who you are, what you believe and what you desire." I think you might agree that Lauren's message is not only emotionally inspiring, but physically motivating as well. Let's start moving with intention and hold Lauren's story in a safe space. - Megan Monique

What Is Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?

Lissa Rankin, May 8, 2010

Q: I just found out I have HPV. What is it?

HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is the most common sexually transmitted disease, and it will infect 75% of young women before the age of 50, if they don’t get vaccinated. It’s the virus that causes genital and anal warts, abnormal pap smears, and cervical cancer. Even if you’re a virgin when you hook up with someone, you can end up with HPV- even if your partner has only slept with one other person.