I am 30 years old and was first diagnosed with high-risk HPV around age 20/21 (I had a LEEP procedure).  When I was approximately 23/24, I had more abnormal paps (which eventually went away on their own) and warts  (which went away after treatment).  I have not had any additional abnormal paps or warts since that time.  

Particularly since the abnormal paps/warts approximately 6-7 years ago, I have been  very cautious about engaging in sexual activity with new people since there does not seem to be consensus regarding whether the virus is ever gone/not contagious.   My gynecologist has said he does not think I need to disclose it to new partners anymore, but friends who have had HPV think you should ALWAYS disclose. 

Ultimately, this leads to a great deal of anxiety for me  when I am with potential new partners; sometimes I even avoid sexual encounters to avoid an uncomfortable conversation/embarrassment.  Can you please tell me (1) whether you think I can consider my HPV "cleared" (and what that means); (2) your thoughts on whether disclosure to new partners is warranted in my case; and (3) what I should be telling a new partner? 

Thanks very much in advance.  This STI has adversely affected my personal life during my 20s, largely due to uncertainty from my doctors and online.  Any clarity going into my 30s would be much appreciated.   Thanks! 

Welcome to our Forum.  I'll try to help.  You have summarized the issues of controversy regarding disclosure of HPV infections well .  We agree with your gynecologist.  As you probably know, most sexually people who have not have the HPV vaccine will have had the infection - the current estimate is that about 80% of sexually active persons have or have had HPV infections with most people becoming infected relatively soon after they start to have sex and irrespective of sexual partner number.  Of those, a small fraction of 1% will progress to precancerous changes which can then be detected through regular sexual health checks for women and visual inspection for men so that if they do fall into that small proportion of persons with pre-cancerous lesions they have the problem addressed as you did with your LEEP almost a decade ago.