HPV vaccination after age 45

[Idontpostmuch]

Most people probably know this, but there are clinics that vaccinate the over 45s against HPV. I only recently discovered this and yesterday had a first dose at Hampstead Heath Pharmacy. Very straightforward. Deposit of £25 when booking, deducted from cost of jab.

Non monogamous with themselves? Well, I don't think there's certainty, but isn't masturbation thought a possible means of transmission?

Yes because you never know if your partner is going to cheat on you.

Clumsy phrasing from me. I meant that the people who are claiming a new HPV positive ‘proves’ partner infidelity are wrong because if it’s proof, how do celibate women get new HPV diagnosis?

i can foresee masturbation being a factor but only if you were HPV positive in one place like your mouth and you transfer bodily fluids from one to another, but it’s not a new strain it’s one already in your body.

Eve Appeal info, they also have a helpline/email chat service so for anyone wondering if the vaccine might be useful for them maybe give the Eve Appeal a try?

Does having HPV mean my partner cheated?
No. HPV can lie dormant for years, so it’s impossible to know when you got it, or who from. You could have had it before your current relationship. Having HPV is not a sign of infidelity.

https://eveappeal.org.uk/education-and-outreach/training-and-resources-for-healthcare-professionals/how-to-answer-common-questions-about-hpv/

Hi, @SoulfulSaz , You've raised two interesting points. You're correct re the first. A positive test only proves you contracted the virus at some point, possibly from current partner, but just as likely from before you'd even met said partner. Re the second, I didn't mean self inoculation ie from one part of body to another. I meant having got the virus on fingers from an outside source - toilets, door handles? - and then transferring to vagina. Although I used the word 'masturbation' as shorthand, I really just meant fingers in contact with genitals, either partner's fingers or own fingers, and own fingers could be inserting non applicator tampon, applying lubricating gell, or anti fungal cream etc. Some sources say this isn't possible, but the largest study, at McGill uni, concludes unlikely, but not ruled out. Sorry this has turned into an essay. 😄

@SoulfulSaz I don't think a helpline can add much. We know the basics: vaccination can't cure an existing infection but can protect against strains not yet encountered; the greater the number of sexual partners, the less benefit (Ealing clinic uses 4 as an example, claiming more makes it much less worthwhile); vaccine is safe, so no downside; how you see your life in the future may be a deciding factor. All good and well, but you're essentially paying for insurance, so everyone has to decide for themselves, and the real question is: is it worth the money for the perceived benefit? Remember it's the PERCEIVED benefit that will bring peace of mind. Also, is it affordable? (though you only pay one jab at a time, not all 3). No helpline can answer these.

Hiya, that’s fair enough, I guess I mentioned it in case mumsnetters wanted to chat to a third party about it perhaps without needing to go through their GP.

Hi, I didn't mean it wasn't still useful information, just that it probably won't add anything new. There will also be those who prefer to actually talk to someone, so thanks for making us aware of it. Similarly, private clinic in Ealing (not where I got mine) has case studies to show who would benefit most. You do have to hunt a bit on site to find this bit, not immediately apparent.