1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Is HPV vaccine worth it for gay guys?

Discussion in 'Physical & Sexual Health' started by CanadianRunner, May 20, 2015.

  1. CanadianRunner

    Regular Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2015
    Messages:
    55
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    Gender:
    Male
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Out Status:
    A few people
    Is it worth the cost?
    I'm in my early 20s and i haven't engaged in sex yet. I heard about the many benefits, but not sure if there are any negative consequences
     
  2. LD579

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Mar 25, 2013
    Messages:
    236
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Canada
    I would say it's worth it because health and quality of life is in many ways priceless. If you want to put a price tag on it, visit a doctor and inquire about prices plus insurance if applicable, and you can decide from there. It doesn't really seem like there are plausible detriments but speak with your doctor to confirm that.
     
    #2 LD579, May 20, 2015
    Last edited: May 20, 2015
  3. XenaxGabby

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2015
    Messages:
    1,119
    Likes Received:
    7
    Location:
    Here and there
    Gender:
    Female
    Gender Pronoun:
    She
    Sexual Orientation:
    Bisexual
    Out Status:
    A few people
    I had it done when I was a teenager. As with any injection, you might feel pain, nausea, and dizziness but those are temporary. It's best to talk to your doctor about it though.
     
  4. BryanM

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2013
    Messages:
    2,894
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Columbia, Missouri
    Gender:
    Genderqueer
    Gender Pronoun:
    They
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Out Status:
    Out to everyone
    I'd say unless you usually have bad reactions to vaccines or have some disorder where you cannot have vaccinations, you should definitely get the HPV vaccine. As with any vaccine, there is a possibility you may feel under the weather for a day or two, but that's very common. If you plan on being sexually active, it is definitely worth it. Since you're in Canada, you may be able to get it for a pretty reasonable price as well. I'm planning on getting the first of the three of mine in August :slight_smile:
     
  5. TJ

    TJ
    Full Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2011
    Messages:
    1,833
    Likes Received:
    299
    Location:
    Lawrence, KS
    Gender:
    Male
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Out Status:
    Out to everyone
    Aye I would definitely get it if you're going to be a sexually active male.
    Preventing HPV prevents increased risk for various cancers like anal, penile, and oropharyngeal. Definitely worth it.
     
  6. greatwhale

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2013
    Messages:
    6,582
    Likes Received:
    413
    Location:
    Montreal
    Gender:
    Male
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Out Status:
    Out to everyone
    I agree with the others above, if you haven't had sex yet, get it done.

    I have a friend who has been undergoing debilitating chemo for a year now due to rectal/anal cancer, she had to undergo a colostomy (her colon is now diverted to the side of her abdomen and all waste is now collected in a bag she has to wear permanently).

    About 13 strains of the HPV virus (there are 40 known variants) are recognized as a causative agent for cervical cancer in women, and one of these 13 HPV types is known to cause "cancers of the vulva, vagina, penis, anus, and certain head and neck cancers (specifically, the oropharynx, which includes the back of the throat, base of the tongue and tonsils)". Anal/rectal and head/neck tumors are among the hardest to treat cancers around, with very poor prognoses.

    Having a vaccine that can prevent these nasty diseases, even if rare, is well worth the cost.
     
  7. Fallingdown7

    Fallingdown7 Guest

    I agree with the others. If you ever plan on being sexually active, HPV is pretty common and can be spread through any and every genital activity there is. Pretty much all of us that touch someone else's genitals are at risk.
     
  8. Tightrope

    Full Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2013
    Messages:
    5,415
    Likes Received:
    387
    Location:
    USA
    Gender:
    Male
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Bisexual
    Out Status:
    Some people
    You're in the right place. If you haven't had sex yet, then now is the time. It is pretty much a given that people in your age group are getting vaccinated. I don't know of many side effects or negative issues with it. People get flu shots. That's also a vaccine for a virus.

    I have been vaccinated for Hep A / Hep B. In fact, I need to get a booster. It has been about 10 years. They are somewhat easier, though not exactly easy to transmit during sex. Hep A mostly has to do with food borne transmission, which can happen and might happen during travel. I would also look into vaccination for those sooner than later, especially if it's covered by insurance.

    My only major disappointment is the lack of vaccinations for Hep C and HIV.

    As for your OP, I would suggest going ahead with it. I heard there has been a campaign at the high school in some states. Probably a good idea to make people aware.
     
  9. Anthemic

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2012
    Messages:
    1,890
    Likes Received:
    7
    Location:
    Alabama
    Gender:
    Female
    Gender Pronoun:
    She
    Sexual Orientation:
    Lesbian
    Out Status:
    Some people
    Whatever you do, do NOT get Gardasil. It's been known to cause serious issues to many people. It's caused brain swelling and death in several people. I got the vaccine when I was 16 and within a few months, I started experiencing weird symptoms, like: major fatigue, dizziness, pulsatile tinnitus, weight gain (I gained 50 pounds within 3 months), temporary blindness, migraines, and nausea. I suffered from this thinking maybe it was just allergies and that my metabolism was changing. But when I was 20, I was diagnosed with Pseudotumor cerebri because I started experiencing blind spots in my vision.

    There is an ongoing lawsuit against Gardasil. Just be careful and research the brand of vaccine.
     
    #9 Anthemic, May 21, 2015
    Last edited: May 21, 2015
  10. Tightrope

    Full Member

    Joined:
    May 31, 2013
    Messages:
    5,415
    Likes Received:
    387
    Location:
    USA
    Gender:
    Male
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Bisexual
    Out Status:
    Some people
    I did not know this. I have not had this vaccine.

    As for Hep A/Hep B, I know they make Twinrix, which covers both. I can't remember if I had one shot or separate ones.

    Yes, it is always good to read up on the brands and side effects before going for a vaccine. I was nervous about the Hep vaccines, but encountered no side effects.
     
  11. Pret Allez

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    Messages:
    6,785
    Likes Received:
    67
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Gender:
    Female (trans*)
    Gender Pronoun:
    She
    Sexual Orientation:
    Bisexual
    Out Status:
    Some people
    I took Gardasil, and I'm just fine.

    I consider vaccination and important part of my sexual ethics.

    Adrienne
     
  12. greatwhale

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2013
    Messages:
    6,582
    Likes Received:
    413
    Location:
    Montreal
    Gender:
    Male
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Out Status:
    Out to everyone
    In December of last year, the FDA approved Gardasil 9. This is the FDA we're talking about, I have dealt with them for almost 20 years and they do not fool around, they are strict and very demanding when it comes to the approval of drugs in the US, in addition, they have tremendous influence on the rules and practices of other regulatory agencies in the world.

    Here is what they said in their press statement on Gardasil 9 in December, 2014:

    The Gardasil trials were conducted with tens of thousands of people in the targeted age groups, these are considered gold-standard clinical trials with a huge number of subjects and demonstrates beyond any reasonable doubt that the vaccine is safe and very effective against the types of HPV that are the most dangerous.

    I am sure there are lawsuits, it's the American Way, and I am not saying that there are no rare adverse reactions, nevertheless, the overwhelming evidence, verified by a strict food and drug agency, is compelling. The FDA has NOT issued any special warnings (what they call "black-box warnings") about Gardasil 9 that I know of, this is an important fact to consider.
     
  13. XenaxGabby

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Mar 11, 2015
    Messages:
    1,119
    Likes Received:
    7
    Location:
    Here and there
    Gender:
    Female
    Gender Pronoun:
    She
    Sexual Orientation:
    Bisexual
    Out Status:
    A few people
    Same.
     
  14. Anthemic

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2012
    Messages:
    1,890
    Likes Received:
    7
    Location:
    Alabama
    Gender:
    Female
    Gender Pronoun:
    She
    Sexual Orientation:
    Lesbian
    Out Status:
    Some people
    Well, I'm glad none of you experienced anything negative from Gardasil. I've just heard too many scary stories because of it. But it's your body. Good luck.
     
  15. pinkpanther

    Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jan 23, 2015
    Messages:
    626
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Stockholm
    Gender:
    Male
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Out Status:
    Some people
    Discuss that with your doctor but the obvious benefits for sexually active gay males are well obvious, while the side effects are pretty minor.
     
  16. CanadianRunner

    Regular Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2015
    Messages:
    55
    Likes Received:
    1
    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    Gender:
    Male
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Out Status:
    A few people
    Thanks everyone for your input. The benefits seem to outweigh the risks substantially. It is quite expensive, but I think it is always better to be safe. I am not getting it because I want to sleep around with people. Not like that at all. But, I want to protect myself whenever it does happen in a relationship.
    It is bizarre that it is covered only to girls and young women in most provinces. Everyone else has to pay in full it seems. Seems some of the things it is supposed to prevent would cost substantially higher on the health care system.
    I think Alberta is the only province in Canada that covers boys and young men as well from what I can see, I could be wrong. It definitely is not covered in Ontario.
     
  17. Pret Allez

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2012
    Messages:
    6,785
    Likes Received:
    67
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    Gender:
    Female (trans*)
    Gender Pronoun:
    She
    Sexual Orientation:
    Bisexual
    Out Status:
    Some people
    I feel like I only paided $60 or something that...
     
  18. atoadaso

    atoadaso Guest

    I got Gardasil when I was 15, & my dad didn't want me to get the last round because he heard the horror stories too, but I did anyway & I'm fine. Who knows about later in life, but I haven't had anything go wrong yet. But yes, definitely get the vaccine, even if you don't go with Gardasil.
     
  19. Lindsey23

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2013
    Messages:
    395
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    Liberal state
    I wouldn't get it. Not all vaccines are equal and I've heard bad things about this one. I think Japan has banned it and other countries are considering a ban due to too many serious side effects. If you do get it pay close attention to your health after the first shot. If you feel like it's hurt you in some way you don't have to complete the series. Also, I read that it only prevents a few strains of HPV...do your own research though.
     
  20. Geek

    Full Member

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2013
    Messages:
    372
    Likes Received:
    3
    Location:
    Hawaii
    Gender:
    Male
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Questioning
    Out Status:
    All but family
    Had it done when I was freshmen in high school. Parents told me "might as well do it before you're sexually active". Didn't hurt at all and was covered under my parents plan. if you can do it and at an affordable rate, why not?