My mother wants to take me in for the "be one less shot." for cervical cancer, I was wondering, do you have to be a virgin to get it? I had sex twice...both the guy and I were virgin and he wore a condom, he didn't go fully in, but I'm still afraid this is stopping me from getting the shot....does anyone know?
2007-09-15 17:52:44 · 8 answers · asked by Noodle_fan! 1 in Health ➔ Women's Health
No, you do not have to be a virgin to get the shot. You can be sexually active or a virgin and still get the shot, it doesn't matter. Also, I would recommend that you not get the shot. Even though that sounds harsh, it has only been tested for 3 years! The long term effects of it are unknown so far. Who knows? Every girl who's had the shot could end up sterile and unable to have her own children in a few years after the shot. Just a thought.. Whatever your decision is I wish you the best of luck!
P.S. The shot doesn't protect against cervical cancer.. It protects against HPV (human papilloma virus!) which can LEAD to cervical cancer.
2007-09-15 17:59:39 · answer #1 · answered by ♥ meme ♥ 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Oh sweetie, you do NOT need to be a virgin to get Gardasil! You will be just fine. However, I do strongly recommend you go get that shot, it is a series of 3 shots given over a period of 6 months. It will not prevent all strains of HPV, as there are well over 100 of them, and it will not treat existing HPV infections. 80% of all women have some form of HPV right now! HPV is VERY easy to contract. Gardasil will protect you from the strains that increase your risk of cervical cancer. Go and get that shot, you will be fine, you do not have to be a virgin to get it. Please, always practice safe sex and get tested regularly. Good luck, honey!
FYI: All vaccines consist of the specified pathogen (Flu shot=influenza, etc)...they are either weakened or killed (the injection fluid) and injected into the body. The immune system sees the foreign pathogens and attack them, building your immunity to that pathogen. The pathogen is weakened or killed so the body can recognize the pathogen, but the pathogen will not be stronger than your immune system. This shot series will not make you sterile!
2007-09-15 18:10:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello-
I think it would be a very good idea for you to have the series of shots (there are three), ESPECIALLY since you are sexually active. The load of bunk that it's only been tested for three years is just that, a load of bunk. I was in one of the original studies testing the HPV vaccine. I had my series of shots in 1996! I have had no ill side-effects and after the study, when I found out that I did actually receive the vaccine and not the placebo, I felt a little safer.
I would suggest you tell your doctor (without your mother present) that you are sexually active so that they can test you to make sure that you are o.k. Good luck to you. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
2007-09-15 18:27:00 · answer #3 · answered by Bcldiva 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You absolutely don't have to be a virgin to get the shot. Actually, it's even more important for sexually active people to get this vaccination. I just had the second injection of Gardasil done a few weeks ago (it's done in three shots).
Good luck!
2007-09-15 17:59:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
GET THE SHOT!! I have had HPV for 2 years now and I go back to get a Pap every THREE Months... Insurance won't pay for it b.c they will only pay for it once a year. I know you are still young and don't care about insurance... but get the shot!
Don't think Twice...
2007-09-15 18:31:31 · answer #5 · answered by Boog 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the first answer.
There IS NOT enough information on this shot!
NO ONE knows the long term affects of this shot.
And, it does NOT protect against ALL cervical cancers!
I would never recommend my daughter get this until I've seen plenty of studies on the long term affects of this drug.
2007-09-16 01:51:21 · answer #6 · answered by Terri 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If this was the first sexual experience for both of you, the chance of acquiring human papilloma virus is almost zero. Get the shot before you have anymore sex.
2007-09-15 18:02:39 · answer #7 · answered by greydoc6 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do not have to be a virgin to obtain the "Be One Less" shot.
Better safe than sorry, girlie.
GoodLuck.
2007-09-15 18:08:27 · answer #8 · answered by Mary S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋