Anal sex

[Newmummy1234]

DH and I have anal sex every now and then. I’ve just found out that you can get HPV which can then cause anal cancer. Now I’m terrified and worried. I have health anxiety so please dont comment with horror stories!!

Sorry but I don't think people are going to come on and share their anal stories on here. You might be best having a chat with a GP or GUM clinic for advice & reassurance.

HPV can also cause cervical cancer from vaginal sex OP, I don’t think you have any additional cause for concern.

But if you have health anxiety, I really don’t think posting about it here is going to help. Said with love

Yes but there’s a smear for that. I’m concerned that it will get missed in the other place :(

I really think you would be better discussing your concerns with a health professional who knows, OP.

An interesting ask, wonder a tad myself on stuff related to this. So much either goes unsaid, or or is it known by med profession.
In your case, as long as you have regular smear checks and are monogamous with your DH, if you haven't already picked up HPV, unlikely to. I've read it's like contracting other viruses, mostly people who get it, fight it off with their immune system and so after a few years will test negative on a smear, but for a minority, it can stay and cause abnormal cells potentially leading to cancer.
If you don't use condoms with PIV sex, then you have some risk of developing cervical cancer, you won't be at any greater risk of getting rectal cancer. In short, keep up with your smear tests.

I had never heard of this. It wouldn't stop me to be honest. I shall carry on!

Your meant to use condoms every time for anal and don’t double dip either as that can cause Big problems

Have a chat with someone at the Clinic to allay any worries you may have.

I had HPV with abnormal cells and I was really worried about this. But to put it in perspective, HPV is linked to several cancers, including throat cancer, yet most people don’t avoid oral sex from fear of catching HPV orally.

Thankfully my body got rid of the HPV so I’m not so worried anymore. All you can do is keep up with smears when they’re due; and try snd keep a healthy lifestyle, no smoking etc

I'm not sure what's going on here.
I've led a rather sheltered life here at The Mission.but are you saying you only do IT once a year? Is that a birthday treat for one of you or is it on a specific Saint's day?

Have you never had an sti test then? Because GUM clinics ask if you have oral and anal sex precisely to check and advise on this! Speak to a doctor.

Could you just get the HPV jab? You can pay for it at your GP.

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles

I'm not sure what's going on here. I've led a rather sheltered life here at The Mission.but are you saying you only do IT once a year? Is that a birthday treat for one of you or is it on a specific Saint's day?

Yes, annual sex might lead to annual cancer

OP, use condoms for anal (we do even with toys, just in case of cross-infection) and speak to your GP or a GUM clinic about STI testing.

@TurkMama

Have you never had an sti test then? Because GUM clinics ask if you have oral and anal sex precisely to check and advise on this! Speak to a doctor.

Yes but been with DH for 14 years and so haven’t had one since the start of our relationship

But are you having anal sex exclusively to avoid the risk of getting cervical cancer? Because if your Dh (or you) had HPV from a previous relationship, you’re at risk of cervical cancer and anal cancer too. You can get an HPV test. You are no more at risk of anal cancer than cervical and if your smear is clear, you’re likely fine. But just get yourself tested. Realistically, 80% of sexually active adult women have had HPV. Not all strands cause cancer, but just get checked if you’re worried.

It can also cause throat cancer.

In 3 years you will only need a urine test to detect hpv...so potentially no more smears! This will help with your anus too.

I've had anal cancer and I am not into anal. there are about 200 types of HPV, only a handful cause cancer and that is if your immune system doesn't deal with the virus first. Anal cancer is incredibly rare, I think about 1200 people in the UK each year (I was very unlucky) and the treatment is pretty grim but has quite a good prognosis. Fact is HPV is passed on through skin to skin contact, especially sexual contact so irrespective of the nature of the sex you would be sharing bodily fluids with your husband. There is a higher prevalence with those who have anal sex, hence why it's seen in the male gay community. HPV causes a number of cancers - anal, cervical, penile, throat, labial - you get the picture. I don't know if any of that info helps.

@mindutopia
"You are no more at risk of anal cancer than cervical and if your smear is clear, you’re likely fine. But just get yourself tested. Realistically, 80% of sexually active adult women have had HPV"

yes, over 80% of sexually active people will contract HPV at some point in their lives (strand and immunity make a huge difference).
However, the correlation with a clear smear test is not true. A clear smear just means that there are no cancerous or pre cancerous cells evident on the cervical smear. For example - I was diagnosed with anal cancer and 4 weeks later my cervical smear was clear.

Lots of misinformation on this thread. Please speak to your GP or a GUM clinic to set you straight.

Your DH should do it with a condom anyway. It's anal.

The way smears are checked has changed in last few years. They used to check just for abnormal cells, now they just check initially for HPV, and then if present, they will look at the cells.

Your DH should do it with a condom anyway. It's anal.

@WhatifIfeellikeacat

@Newmummy1234 Did you know you can also get HPV from oral? But it's probably fairly rare to get it that way. I don't know how much HPV contributes to anal cancer, I imagine not much, most cancer is 'just one of those things,' though diet/exercise/not smoking can help.

One point that came to mind for me was- how much do you personally want this anal you're having? You talk about it as if it's something that just happens rather than something you want. x

If you could, wouldn't it already be rife in the gay men community? (Like HIV was spread?)

I don't think anal cancer as such exists (or rarely) - bowel cancer, yes. The lining of the mouth and the vagina are different cells to the rectum.

I thought the biggest risk of anal sex was incontinence because the anal sphincter could get damaged.

I've led a rather sheltered life here at The Mission.but are you saying you only do IT once a year? Is that a birthday treat for one of you or is it on a specific Saint's day?

This has to be a joke comment @TwoLeftSocksWithHoles . Surely?

God help us if we don't know our anus from our annual

@JinglingHellsBells
"I don't think anal cancer as such exists (or rarely) - bowel cancer, yes"

Of course it exists. it's rare but it exists.

And for those questioning if HPV causes anal cancer - it is the biggest cause of anal cancer and is exacerbated by lifestyle choices.