Okay, thanks. I find myself worrying more about falling onto train tracks or getting hit by cars than the ~~invisible unknowns~~ of STDs.

I have nothing to contribute except to say, "I hate, hate, hate that sanctimonious book."

I seriously do not get the concept of yellow fever except that it is what kills everyone in old books. Isn't that what kills Sarah Crewe's dad in Little Princess?

I could make so much money if I could get through GOP talking points with a straight face. I could be the token conservative black woman! Write one of those books about how Democrats are the real racists by racistly insisting on equality. Get shouty about merit based society and prove Jebus thought the poors should…

Okay, thanks! There's a Well Woman centre here which is kind of like Planned Parenthood, and I have a feeling they would do the screening before the vaccine as part of the first consultation. I'll find out, though. (I'll ask my GP about it first either way, in case she can offer me some kind of special concession…

Yeah this. Every little bit helps :)

The PPs operate differently in different states, depending on state funding and I'm in WA so I can't answer your question, but you should totally call them. Here I know there is a fund specifically to cover preventative care (which the vaccine is) for men and women in the space between qualifying for Medicaid and…

It is mostly a benign kind of virus, but obviously can have serious consequences. You should talk to your doc or an OB-GYN because I am not a doctor, but generally if you are not currently infected, there's no HARM in getting the vaccine, y'know? Your doctor may want to see if you have HPV antibodies in your blood…

Condoms are very effective not bc HPV is a virus, but bc they don't cover all the skin area that can shed HPV virus. Condoms are not very effective for herpes for the same reason. However, "not very effective" is not the same as "completely useless". Reduce your risk as far as possible, imho.

I doubt Republicans genuinely care about the women's vote; it's far more likely they are researching ways to take it away.

See, that's something that I didn't know. I just assumed prophylactics would be a safe form of protection, but it makes sense that you say it isn't, considering its a virus. The more you know!!

Hi, thanks for being here and chiming in with this educated perspective. I am kind of clueless about this and about what I should do (beyond the obvious precautions).

OK, Gotcha. I'm a sexual health educator for planned parenthood. I just want to make sure that it is clearly understood to anyone here on this site that it is totally possible to have HPV, not know it, and pass it on, and that is usually not a big deal because most of the time, your body will clear the infection. And…

Yeah, I'm hating the way people are using this as a springboard for a big Beevis & Butthead-style sniggerfest. This is way too important to be considered funny, in my book.

I get what you are saying and maybe I should have read your response better. But, my point was that Michael Douglas has fostered awareness about HPV and throat cancer and all anyone is getting out of it is "CUNNILINGUS." I didn't necessarily mean you should or have to or need to know someone's sexual history, I'm…

Actually, sexual history is a moot point on this one.

Also, from Planned Parenthood's website: HPV testing is not recommended for all women because HPV is very common and usually goes away without causing any health problems.

The GOP reminds me of the greek system in college. Didn't want to join it then and don't buy their spiel now. If it isn't plain to see, these GOP women give the old coots in the GOP something to fap over.

"both women were trailblazers and role models for anti-abortion, stay-at-home moms who might not otherwise believe they were capable of running for office."

No, you can contract HPV without having PIV or PIA sex or swapping fluids. All it takes is some sexual contact. Plus TONS of people are infected at any given moment, so unfortunately, in this one case, "knowing the sexual history of your partner" does jack shit, pretty much. So you can be "discriminating" and still…