Gardasil Vaccine

They haven't done all of the testing on men.  They only did it on women, so that's all it can be approved for.  I'm hoping they do test on men and the FDA approves it for use also.  It makes more sense to immunize both to prevent transmission. 

Okay, I'm going to jump in here and remind you that YOU are the only one who can take control of your health and while we do have to suffer through paps and exams it really isn't that bad compared to the things they can protect us from or make sure that we catch early.  And they should get easier the more times you do them. 

Now, for a bit of education on HPV.  There are studies that say up to 70% of women have had or will have HPV in their life.  Not all cases lead to cervical cancer and most clear up on their own, often with the person never knowing they've had it.  I'd be willing to bet there are a number of people you know who have or have had it.  Personally, I'd get the vaccine.  I would have if it had been approved when I was in the age range.   Nothing is a 100% guarantee against anything but it's nice to know you have that little extra protection. 

Agreed. I didn't want to sound like a btitch, but REALLY ladies, suck it up and go get your exams. If a male doc creeps you out, get a female doc. It shouldn't take long or hurt too much, esp. if you are relaxed. Definitely worth knowing that everything is 100% down there. Sorry for the rant - family tragedy here, involving female-specific cancer, so I'm a bit paranoid.

My doc said at my last exam, that if they approve the vaccine for women over 26 (I think it's 14-26 right now and I am almost 28), to go get it. Never hurts to have the added protection with stuff like that, ya know? Cancers of the lady-bits are nothing to mess with.

As a health care professional, I am extremely against this vaccine. There are soooo many adverse side effects to this shot that the regular medical community does not want you to know or they do not know it themselves. It is not my job to tell someone what to do, but to make sure they have the proper information to allow them to make their own educated decision. Here is a link that will give you the reality to what this shot is all about.

http://search.mercola.com/Results.aspx?q=gardasil&k=gardasil

 No, boys/men cannot get cervical cancer. obviously because they have no cervix, but some states are passing laws to force parents into giving it to their boys as a prevention to throat cancer. (because boys and girls are more premiscuous these days)HOW REDICULOUS!

The immune system of 80-90% of women can heal the body of HPV without the use of any medication. Not so with men. the other 10-20%, as long as they have a regular papsmear, can have this detected early enough and treated without any issues whatsoever.

Talk to YOUR doctor about the vaccine and any concerns you might have.

And yes, you can have a reaction to a vaccine. Any doctor will tell you this. They're injecting a disease into you - I had a reaction to one vaccine I got recently - mild fever and "blah" feeling. It went away in a day and I was fine. But when I got the vaccine, I was handed a sheet listing the possible reactions. It's not like they kept it a secret.

But regardless, go get your yearly "female" exam. No excuses not to.

ok as a doc who gives this vaccine (and I took it as well though I am 45) I am ALL FOR this vaccine.

It protects against 4 strains of HPV - 2 that go to cervical cancer (of the 16 strains that can) and 2 that cause external warts.  These strains are responsible for 70-90% of HPV infections

Men are being studied now.  I have every intention of immunizing my boys as men are the risk pool that women get the virus from.

Having said that,  USE CONDOMS. No they are not 100% but is sure lowers your risk of getting one of the strains that goes to cervical cancer!

And yes, get your regular pap smears - that means annually for women in non-committed relationships who have had all normal paps, and for those who are married/in committed relationships and have NEVER had an abnormal pap every 3 years.

The frequency increases if you have an abnormal pap (every 3-4 months typically until one year of normals).  

We are pretty good at early detection of abnormalities and preventing progression to cervical cancer, but this vaccine will help prevent the need for colposcopy and biopsy - invasive procedures.  I look forward to the week that I don't do at least 2-3!

Yes....though partly age and family history dependent....

but short answer is yes.You are also then NOT in at risk for HPV (that you don't already have ) so unless you break up from current partner don't bother with the vaccine.