I got vaccinated to protect myself from cancer and genital warts."
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is an STD: sexually
transmitted disease
There are100+
types of HPV
Most HPV infections don't cause any symptoms and can go away on their own, but others can cause health problems
some of the health problems it causes can be treated
You can get HPV by having sexual contact with someone who has the virus. They might not have any symptoms or even know they have it.
A person can get HPV through:
HPV can infect areas that are not covered by a condom so using a condom may not fully protect you from the virus
MSM have about 20 times greater risk of anal cancer than men who only have sex with women
This greater risk is because HPV infection & anal sex are risk factors for anal cancer
The HPV vaccine
protects you
from the kinds of HPV
that cause almost all
genital warts and
anal cancer
The HPV vaccine is given as a series of 3 shots in the arm over 6 months
The HPV vaccine can be given at the same time as other vaccines such as the flu or tetanus vaccines
Yes, and it should protect you for at least 10 years
It has been shown to greatly lower disease rates including genital warts
Like many other vaccines, some people have mild side-effects such as pain or fever
This includes anyone who has ever had a life-threatening reaction to:
Tell your doctor if you have any severe allergies, including an allergy to yeast
You can still get the vaccine if you are mildly ill the day of your appointment
If you have a moderate or severe illness, you should wait to get the HPV vaccine until you feel better
The vaccine can help protect you & your sexual partners from HPV, GENITAL WARTS, and ANAL CANCER
I got vaccinated to protect myself from cancer and genital warts."
I decided to get the vaccine so my partner and I don't have to worry about HPV."
A lot of my friends had gotten the HPV vaccine, so I thought I should get it too."
Coming out to your doctor as gay or bisexual can be scary. But if you have a supportive doctor who knows your sexual orientation, it helps you get the best care possible.
You deserve a supportive doctor. If your doctor does not seem comfortable with your sexual orientation, ask to see someone else, or find a new doctor who is LGBT-friendly.
To look for an LGBT-friendly doctor near you, visit the Provider Directory.
You control your coming out process. Remind yourself that it’s normal to feel nervous.
You can choose when you want to come out. For example, some people find it easier to come out at the beginning of the appointment, while they’re still dressed.
Your privacy is protected. If you tell your doctor about your sexual orientation, they should not tell anyone else. There are laws in place to protect your privacy. You can also ask your doctor not to add it to your chart if you want.
Many people dislike shots and needles. But the shot will be over quickly and getting the HPV vaccine is similar to getting other vaccines, like the flu shot.
Here are some things that might help:
The HPV vaccine is safe. Most people who get the vaccine don’t have any problems with it.
It’s been tested on thousands of people and:
The side effects are similar to those from other vaccines you may have already gotten, like the tetanus vaccine.
The most common side effects of the HPV vaccine are:
These side effects:
Yes. In fact, the vaccine works best when you get it before ever having sex.
Even if you’re not having sex now, you may be sexually active in the future.
Now is the best time to protect yourself. Think of it as taking care of yourself and making sure you stay healthy.
Even if you’re in a monogamous relationship, it is still important to get the vaccine. You can still get HPV, even if you only have sex with one person, and they only have sex with you. People may have been infected with HPV prior to their current relationship.
An HPV infection is easy to get, even with only one sex partner. Many people who have HPV don’t know they have it, and can give it to their partner without knowing.
You should still get the HPV vaccine even if you have had a lot of sexual partners. The vaccine can still help protect your health since very few people are infected with all HPV types that the vaccine prevents.
The HPV vaccine can still help protect your health if you already have HPV.
Very few people are infected with all HPV types that the vaccine prevents. The vaccine won’t treat or “cure” HPV infections you already have, but it can help keep you from getting new infections.
No, the HPV vaccine does not protect against other sexually transmitted diseases.
There are ways to help lower the risk for other STDs:
You can still get the vaccine if you have a weakened immune system from HIV infection, another illness, or medicines. Ask a doctor if the HPV vaccine is right for you.
No. In fact, all men who have sex with men should get the HPV vaccine if they are 11-26 years old.
Remember, the HPV vaccine is not just for girls and women, it’s for guys through age 26 too!
HPV can cause health problems for men, like anal cancer and genital warts. The vaccine can help protect both you and your sexual partners.
You can get the vaccine at:
Look for a health center near you. The health centers on this website give you care even if you don’t have health insurance. You pay what you can afford, based on how much money you make.
Look for an LGBT-friendly doctor near you. Visit the Provider Directory.
Need help getting to your appointment? You can check for local public transit or visit 2-1-1 to find other options in your area.
Ride sharing services:
The vaccine costs about $130-$160 per shot. This does not include the cost of getting the shots or the doctor’s charge. Most health insurance plans cover these costs.
You can also visit HealthCare.gov to explore health insurance options and:
It’s important to talk with a doctor about getting the HPV vaccine. If you’re not sure how to start, remember “PACE”:
Tell the doctor you are interested in talking about the HPV vaccine.
It's important to feel comfortable bringing up health issues with the doctor. If you are not, you may want to find a new doctor.
Make sure to ask the doctor any questions you have about getting the HPV vaccine.
Most people say they want as much information as possible, but many don’t ask their doctors questions (because they may forget or feel they don’t have time). To help make sure you get all of the information you need:
* After looking at this website, you will get a summary of information about HPV and the vaccine to print. This may help you think of questions to ask the doctor.
It’s important to make sure you understand the information the doctor gives you.
You can do this by:
Sometimes people have concerns about getting the HPV vaccine.
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