I really appreciate this service. For some background, I am a 42 year old female I was positive for HPV 18 December of 2024. I had a colposcopy and the results came back CIN 1. Doctor decided to watch and wait. Just had my follow up bloodwork and smear for this year and still came back positive HPV 18 and awaiting my smear results still. 

My question is related to a new relationship I’m in. He’s a 35 year old male and we have yet to be intimate with each other, but I know it’s going to happen. I am questioning if I should tell him about being positive with HPV 18? I feel like I should. I would hate to be the cause of him someday developing cancer because he had sex with me.  I know disclosure is a personal choice, but is disclosing a helpful thing to do as far as health risk goes for him? I know it’s very likely he’s already had HPV or has it now. My reason for wondering if I should disclose is because I have the highest risk strain that could cause him to develop cancer in the future. 

A few other questions:

1) is there any data that tells how often HPV 18 specifically, leads to cervical cancer, penal cancer and throat/mouth cancer? If so what is it?

2)Do the other high risk strains of HPV cause cancer too? If so is the risk the same as with HPV 18 and 16?

Thank you!

First a few facts:

1.  While HPV 18, like HPV 16, is referred to as “ high risk” this is a relative term and about 90% of these infections resolve on their own over several years.  ( types 16 and 18 cause about 90% of cervical cancers but several other, less common types are also considered relatively high risk). Even as CIN 1, observation is the right course of action and your subsequent tests will determine whether there is any need intervention.

2.  Over 80% of sexually active adults acquire HPV and in most they acquire multiple strains unless they have taken the HPV vaccine.  Your partner is of an age where he may have been vaccinated and if not it’s probably reasonable to presume that he’s been previously infected, reducing his susceptibility to infection.

3.  Were he to become infected, the likelihood of his infection progressing to cancer is quite small.

4.  Because there is so much misunderstanding regarding HPV we do not feel that notification is crucial.  If anything, the internet makes this worse.

I think this provides preliminary answers to your questions.  I hope it helps.  Please use your up to 2 follow ups for clarification.  EWH