Welcome to the Forum.  thanks for your confidence in our service.  I'll do my best to provide answers to your questions.  In addition however, I would strongly encourage you to seek additional information by reading some of the numerous other threads on this site regarding HPV infections- we leave them up on the site to make them accessible to clients for the information we provide.  Secondly, the sponsor of this forum, ASHA, also has a very good web site with lots of helpful information.

Regarding your questions.  To start with, there are well over 100 different strains of HPV.  Not all infect genital sites and of the ones which do infect genital sites, two- types 6 and 11-cause over 90% of visible genital warts.  HPV infections of these types do NOT progress to precancerous lesions or cancer and can be considered a nuisance and, on occasion, a cosmetic issue of they are particularly large.  OTOH, other types which typically do not cause visible lesions are the types which rarely (less than 2-3% of the time) progress to pre-cancerous lesions of the sort detected by PAP smears.  Even many of these pre-cancerous lesions however will regress/resolve without therapy.  Substantially less than 1% of all HPV infections progress to cancer and routine, recommended GYN evaluations are very good at detecting such problems early so they can be treated before they progress. 

Regarding partners. Optimally it is a good thing to let partners know that you had HPV in the past but you can also say that it was treated and be confident that it is not longer transmissible.  Further, it turns out that nearly 80% of sexually active persons, including most who are monogamous, will get genital HPV at some point.  For this reason, since just about everyone already has, or will have it, we do not feel terribly strongly about disclosure of past HPV since unvaccinated partners are likely to already have it. 

Regarding what I would say to you- first, if you are not yet vaccinated, you should be.  It will protect you from future infections by the most common HPV types causing both visible and non-detectable HPV infections.  Second, if your prior infection has been successfully treated and not recurred, I would not be worried further about the issue.

Neither cervical hyperplasia nor condylomata are cancers but they do reflect HPV infection.

I hope that this information is helpful.  Please take a look at the resources I suggested.  EWH

Good question. The efficacy of the HPV vaccine declines as persons have more partners which, in a vague sense, corresponds to their age.  Currently the FDA has approved the HPV vaccine for persons up to age 45.  This impacts at what age insurance companies will pay for vaccine.  Further, as we age, vaccines are somewhat less efficacious.  In my opinion, vaccination is a good thing but each person has to make their decisions.

Two injections of the HPV vaccine offers protection for most who receive it.  The third injection tends to prolong the duration of antibody detection which appears to correspond to protection.

Hope this helps.  You are asking good questions for which their are not clear, absolute decisions.  EWH