[Question #13299] HPV Lesbian
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16 days ago
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Hi, I have written to you once before, but this is a new encounter.
I am a lesbian and I met a girl. She had a cervical screening and her results came back as HPV DETECTED (not 16 or 18).
I am concerned that I could have contracted HPV from her.
During our sexual encounter, her and I rubbed our vulvas and clitoris together for about 10 seconds.
What would be my HPV risk from this encounter?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
16 days ago
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Welcome back to the Forum. Thanks for your continuing confidence in our service. HPV is transmitted through direct contact with rubbing (which provides the friction to help introduce the virus into a partner's skim) but most single exposures do not appear to transmit infection. Further, in the situation you describe, your partner's HPV infection was detected at her cervix and while your interaction may (probably did) expose you to her cervico-vaginal secretions, you were not directly exposed to the site where the infection was detected. Thus, based on these facts, I would suggest that your risk for HPV from the exposure described is low but not zero. If you acquired HPV is would likely be detected in a future sexual health evaluation which should include a PAP smear and/or screening for HPV. If HPV was transmitted, it would likely not be detectable for at least 2-3 months following your exposure.
Clearly from this and your last questions you worry a lot of about HPV which for most person is an innocuous, self-limited infection. The best way to prevent HPV is to get the HPV vaccine which provides excellent protection against the two HPV types which cause nearly all genital warts as the 7 most common so-called high risk types. I suggest you consider this.
I hope this information is helpful. If there are further questions please use your up to two follow-ups for clarification. EWH
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16 days ago
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Thank you for your very fast response.
I just need some clarity if you don't mind.
I have read some past answers stating that HPV is not transmitted via secretions, for example, if a girl with HPV has her cervico-vaginal secretions on her hand and then rubbed another girls genitals, you've said that it wouldn't transmit HPV.
In my case, her and I rubbed our vulvas and clitoris together (with her HPV cervico secretions present) but with no direct contact with the cervix.
If my only exposure was to her cervico-vaginal secretions, isn't this basically the same situation?
I am just trying to understand it all.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
16 days ago
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HPV may be present in secretions, probably in small amounts. The friction/rubbing however helps to establish the infection. I understood that there was friction involved in the interaction you describe. If so, at least theoretically there is a risk although it would be small. EWH---
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3 days ago
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Hi again, thank you for your response.
I have a few follow up questions:
1) In this situation - where 2 lesbian girls (1 girl having HPV on her cervix) rub their vulvas and clitoris together for about 8 seconds - have you ever seen a case where HPV was contracted during an encounter like this?
2) A general question, sorry I am just trying to understand it better: If HPV is found on another area like the vulva, can it still reach a girls cervix and potentially cause cervical cancer?
Also, would 2 lesbians rubbing vulvas together for 8 seconds, easily transmit HPV if one girl has HPV on her Vulva?
3) Would a cervical screening test done 3 months after the exposure, be conclusive?
Thank you for your time. It's really appreciated.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
3 days ago
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These will be my final responses. There should be no need to return with further questions.
1. I have not. Please see my earlier response. Your risk is low but not zero.
2. This is a nonproductive “ what if” question representing your disproportionate concern about a widespread largely innocuous infection. There are no studies of the likelihood of HPV transmission after 8 seconds ( or any other time period) of direct contact with friction. There are no scientific studies to answer these questions. The risk is low and becomes close to zero when women follow recommendations for regular sexual health care, including PAP smears or HPV testing.
3. Testing at 3 months would be highly reliable.
This concludes this thread. Please try not to worry so much. EWH
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