Have you had the HPV vaccine?

[njbm 2,880]

Have any older people had it?

[Jane1902 476]

It is my understanding the vaccine isn't given past the age of 26 due to the cells not being as receptive after that age even with no risk (ie a virgin) of exposure.

[njbm 2,880]

Thought it wasn't given after 26 because of the likelihood of sexual behavior by that age and exposure to HPV. My knowledge is from innuendo, rumor and hearsay, not science.

[cplnuswing 4,713]

That's where I was at too, thought I knew but not for sure, so decided to confirm that. It doesn't really specifically address the reason why, but the reason you list is what I have read before somewhere too. According to the CDC, 21 for males, 26 for females.

 

CDC - HPV|Who Should Get Vaccinated

[funcoupledayton 2,708]

I got it at age 38. My Dr thought it was a good idea because I had not been exposed to multiple partners when I was younger. My insurance wouldn't cover it. I got the first dose at my Dr's and the rest at Planned Parenthood to save money.

 

My Dr felt that there was no reason it wouldn't work well in older people, but that most people had a lot of exposure by the time they were in their 30's. Planned Parenthood was very cool about it.

 

If someone has only had sex with their spouse I would definitely recommend they ask their Dr (or Planned Parenthood) about being vaccinated.

 

Everyone should also get the HEPB series regardless of your experience.

 

I'm going to ask my OB/Gyn about the meningococcal vaccine next time I'm there. Meningitis is easily spread through kissing and is often fatal. The vaccine is currently given to people going to college or in the military, but there have been outbreaks in the gay community spread through kissing at bars and clubs. It seems to me that swingers would be equally high risk.

[ErikaAndPeter 104]

Has anyone else opted for the HPV vaccine beyond the recommended age? My recent Pap smear showed atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, but the follow up HPV test did not show any high risk strains. So I may have been exposed to a strain that has cleared, or perhaps there are strains to which I have not been exposed. Given the number of sexual partners we now have (and the number of partners in turn they have had), might there be some benefit to getting the vaccine?

[njbm 2,880]

We have friends in their 50s who are getting the HPV series before they swing. They are going to pay for it privately. I don't think it could hurt to get it. My understanding is that 90% of sexually active people contract HPV at some point, but it usually clears within 6-24 months, rarely leads to cervical cancer and if it starts heading in that direction, it can be adequately addressed and removed if one is under careful follow up and observation. But not a road we want to go down.