HPV Vaccine Shown to Prevent Genital Warts in Men

Recent results of a Phase III clinical trial involving Gardasil, a vaccine against four strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), indicate that the vaccine may help prevent genital warts in boys and men. Results of the study, funded by Merck, the manufacturer of Gardasil, were presented earlier this month at the annual meeting of the European Research Organization on Genital Infection and Neoplasia (EUROGIN).

Currently in the U.S., Gardasil is only approved for use in for girls and women aged 9-26. Yet while the vaccine provides protection against two strains of HPV associated with 70 percent of cervical cancer in females, it also protects against strains of HPV that cause genital warts that HPV Newseffect both males and females. The study evaluated approximately 4000 males between 16 through 23 years of age. Study participants received either three doses of Gardasil at regular intervals or a placebo. All participants were followed for 36 months. At the time of vaccination, participants had no evidence of genital lesions, no history of genital warts and five or fewer lifetime sexual partners.

Participants who were vaccinated with Gardasil were approximately 90 percent less likely to develop genital warts than those that received a placebo. No study participants experienced any serious side effects related to vaccination. Merck intends to submit a supplemental Biologics License Application for Gardasil to the FDA by the end of 2008 for the use of the vaccine in boys and men ages 9 to 26 for the prevention of genital warts.

ASHA’s fact sheet on HPV vaccines addresses some of the most common questions about Gardasil and other vaccines in development. ASHA’s website also offers recent data on the safety of Gardasil.

Talk about HPV

FDA Issues Final Rule on Condom Labeling

After an extended review, the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently published final rules governing the labeling of male latex condoms. Following the evaluation of both clinical and epidemiological research as well as public comments on proposed changes to labeling, the FDA concluded that “scientific evidence today continues to fully support the overall effectiveness of latex condoms in reducing the risk of transmission of common STIs.”

Changes to condom labeling were originally proposed in 2005. Among the proposed changes at that time included language specific to STDs: “Condoms provide less protection for certain STDs, including genital herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, that can also be How to Use A Condom spread by contact with infected skin outside the area covered by the condom. Condoms cannot protect against these STDs when they are spread in this way.”

When the FDA solicited public comment on the suggested changes in 2005, they received more than 100 responses from consumers, health professionals, industry, academia, state and Federal government agencies, as well as professional societies and organizations. After a review of public comment, as well as current research on condom effectiveness, the FDA concluded that recent studies confirmed that latex condoms can reduce transmission risk, and cited recent studies on HPV specifically that provided additional evidence to support this conclusion.

As stated in the federal register, “The benefit of this final rule is that establishing the labeling guidance as a special control ensures that manufacturers will provide consumers with the information they need to make an informed decision regarding the use of latex condoms and to use them safely and effectively. The labeling guidance helps ensure that information provided to consumers does not undervalue the overall STI-risk reduction provided by latex condom use, but does not exaggerate the effectiveness of latex condoms against certain types of STIs.”

This final rule will go into effect January 9, 2009. While latex condoms that were legally marketed prior to the effective date of this final rule will have 11 months from that date to comply with the new labeling requirements, new products will be required to comply immediately upon the rule taking effect.

Fran Drescher speaks out about HPV

I came across a couple of YouTube clips where Fran Drescher is on promoting her CancerSchmancer.org site.

She was saying in the clips that it’s been seven years that she has been free and clear of cancer. She also thinks that everyone should have the HPV Vaccine. If everybody would have the HPV vaccine then we wouldn’t have to worry about the HPV virus turning into cancer.

Personally, I think it’s kinda cool that Fran Drescher is putting a famous face to the HPV virus as well as Cervical Cancer.

Visit our HPV Forum

Sharing your courage with others Can make a difference

People send me there stories all the time to post on the site. I think it’s great that folks are reaching out because it really can make a difference in someone’s life. Take for example this feedback I just received about a story that was posted:

Hi Liz,

I just wanted to say that your story made me feel a lot better. I just found out this week that I have herpes. I had an ex bf that found out he had it. I left him in January 08 due to finding out he was messing around  with other men. Some days I don’t know what to do and then some days are better than others it seems. The outbreaks suck, and my one biggest fear is that no one will ever want to date or be with me again. All I can do is try from day to day. You have a great day and thanks for posting.

It’s also nice to get feedback from people that are encouraging what is often times not an easy thing to do. It’s nice easy for somebody to step outside of their comfort zone, put their personal story out there and expect any sort of reaction. But this particular story was read by somebody that was touched by it. That’s basically why I like to refer to these stories as sharing your courage with others. That’s what you are really doing if you stop and think about it. You are sharing your courage with others.

So keep up the good work ladies and gentlemen. I’m also interested in posting more stories. It doesn’t always have to be in reference to herpes, HPV or even STD’s.

What are you waiting for? Why not share your courage with others today?

STD Clinics in West Des Moines, Iowa

Here’s the question:

I cant seem to find out some info. I need to get STD tested and cant find prices and places to go. I live in West Des Moines and think i have HPV, but would like some prices on tests. Any links with the info i need? Thanks for all your help.

Here’s what I think:

You might try calling the Centers for Disease Control to see if they  have any recommendations. Maybe you can pick up your local telephone book and check to see if you have any free county health services. A lot of the times if you can find a free HIV clinic, you might be able to get accurate STD testing. You can also try making an appointment to see an infectious disease specialist OR even your family doctor.

Please let us know how it works out for you. If there is anybody that lives in Des Moines, Iowa that would like to make a recommendation as to where a person can get tested for STI’s, please leave a comment.

You can also try  your local Planned Parenthood.

ClubH-SouthFlorida’s Mix ‘n Mingle at Gatsby’s

Host: ClubH-SouthFlorida

Location: Gatsby’s (Ft. Lauderdale/Davie), 1805 S University Dr, Davie, FL US

When: Friday, September 5, 7:00PM

Hello ClubH Members!

Due to the positive feedback we have received, ClubH-SouthFlorida is proud to continue the monthly “Mix ‘n Mingle” at Gatsby’s in Davie. This is a casual atmosphere where we can all meet, have a little fun and make a couple of new friends. Check their web site at WWW.GATSBYSFL.COM

Drop by after work and say hello. Just look for the green balloons in the bar area and someone will kindly greet you. It will be very helpful to RSVP so we can get an idea of how much room to section off. If there is no response prior to the social, it will most likely be canceled for that night, so please, please RSVP if you plan to go that night.

Hope to see you there!

I’m 3 months into being diagnosed with Herpes and HPV

From the Feedback Form

First off, thank you for the website and work you do. I’m 3 months into being diagnosed with Herpes and HPV and still can’t see much hope sometimes. It’s weird how hit and miss the emotions are.

I have a girlfriend, who is a virgin, and I’ve told her. It was incredibly difficult, but it was actually 2 weeks after I told her when we began dating. There are amazing people. I intend to marry her if she’ll have me, and she knows that too. We will not have sex until we get married either, if that is the case.

I want to know if there are stories of married people with children where one partner has herpes and the other doesn’t, long term. I need to know it can be done, otherwise I don’t know if I can put her at that risk.

I’m also a bit worried about Gardasil regarding the HPV - have you heard much about the adverse reactions?

From Angela aka Yoshi2me

You are more than welcome to check out our Herpes Telling Story if you’d like. The questions were answered by my husband. He answered the questions not too long after I told him that I had genital herpes when we were dating.

We’ve been married for 7 years now and as far as we know, he has not contracted herpes from me.

My 16 year old recently had her first round of the HPV Vaccine. So far all is well and there have been no side effects for her. The shot is a 3 part one and she’ll go back in a couple of months to have round 2 done.

I think they are going to start encouraging that parents have their girls vaccinated before they begin Junior High. I think it’s a good idea and plan to have my now 4 year old and 2 year old vaccinated when they reach that age.

I am a better person because of my STD

I started writing my story full of pain and anguish when I decided to change it. Being diagnosed with HPV and molluscum at 19 is the farthest thing from easy, but it has made me a stronger person and helped me realize just how lucky I am.

For months I was in and out of the doctors being treated for these two viruses. When I first found the bump I was told it was simply a skin tag by two doctors. A month and a test later, new bumps formed and I was then told I had HPV as well as molluscum. It was an emotional roller coaster ride where I was being thrown back and forth between having an STD and having a normal condition. I lost weight, became depressed and barely passed my classes. After reading all the information on the Internet and seeing the horrible pictures, I also became paranoid and was tested for other STDs multiple times to make sure I didn’t have them as well. Not to mention it strained the relationship between my boyfriend and me significantly. But there is good news despite all this…

Six months later, I am a unbelievably stronger and better person than I was before being diagnosed. I vowed to treat my body with respect and did everything possible to get better. I began taking vitamins everyday, got more sleep, quit drinking and smoking, and ate good foods. I read books on how to strengthen my immune system and learned everything there is to know about the viruses I have. I know it may seem like HPV is a sentence for life, but it is not. I had only two outbreaks and for five months now I haven’t had any!! Your body can heal itself in miraculous ways, but only if you give it the right tools to do so.

Healing is not just physical though…it’s also spiritual and emotional. After finding out you have an STD it is hard not to feel guilty and get down on yourself. I blamed myself for not being careful and felt like no one would ever want to be with me again. A lot of the times I was disgusted with my body and just wanted to jump out of my skin. But I was very blessed to have support from my family and boyfriend. They all told me that having a virus does not define who I am. I am the same person and they love me the same as they did before. It took me awhile to feel this way about myself, but with time I got there. I realized that some things are just out of your control. You must simply accept them and try your best to deal with them. Sitting down and dwelling on it will never get you anywhere; you can only go forward and learn from the obstacles that come your way.

If having an STD taught me anything it is to love myself no matter what. I am the only one who is able to define how I will live my life, not a virus. That is all HPV or any other STD is….a tiny, little virus. It’s your choice whether or not you let it stop you from being yourself. Know that there is a power higher than you and no problem, circumstance, or situation is greater than God. - Alisa

Share your courage with others!

My Daughter will soon be ONE LESS

You guessed it! She’s started the 3 part vaccination process with Gardasil the Human Papillomavirus Quadrivalent (Types 6, 11, 16, and 18) Vaccine, Recombinant. If you’re not sure what that is, visit www.GARDASIL.com and read up on it.

It was just a matter of time before we got the vaccine going for my teen. When it first came out I knew it would take a little while for the insurance companies to get their act together, so we waited. When we went in a couple of weeks ago and had the opportunity to ask about this our family doctor insisted it was a smart choice.

Gardasil does NOT prevent against all 100+ types of HPV but it does prevent two types that can cause cervical cancer and two more types that can cause genital warts. Hello People, CERVICAL CANCER can be prevented? That’s the biggest reason to get your girls vaccinated when it comes time.

I asked my doctor when the four and two year old could get vaccinated and she told me that eventually they will be setting it up to encourage parents to have it done before Junior High School years.

So once you get the first shot you go back two months after the 1st appointment for another shot. Once you get the second shot you back back six months after the 1st appointment. (In other words, every two months until the three part series is completed.)

That’s definitely ONE LESS thing that we will have to worry about. Science and medical breakthrough never cease to amaze me.

October 2008 Social Event Details

Oct 3-5, 2008 - Hosted by Philadelphia Friends - This is the 3rd Philly national event. Hotel: Holiday Inn Philadelphia National Airport - Mention “Philadelphia Friends Group” for $89 per night special rate. Events include dinners, sightseeing, tours, museum, pub crawl, casino gambling. You are welcome to come early and spend Wednesday night with members of Philadelphia Friends for their ongoing monthly happy hour at The Dark Horse (bar/restaurant in Olde City Philadelphia). Please join us in making new friends and greeting familiar faces. (www.philafriends.org)

If you need help networking your social events don’t hesitate to let me know. Not only am I posting links to your group from the SSNA but I am also posting your event details on my Event Details pages as well as special notices on forums that I participate in.