Gardasil: HPV vaccine info and discussion

Brenda Barrett58 said:she mentioned that it isn't just about gender, rather than saying it isn't about gender at all.

👍

http://gardasilinfo.blogspot.com/

maryy84 said:CIN stands for Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia 😉 since you seem so desperate to argue with me☕. And no, CIN isn't caused by inflammation 😂—but hey, if you want to keep believing that, go right ahead 🤷. About 90% of CIN cases are caused by HPV (feel free to look at some actual medical literature if you don't take my word for it 🤷).

I work in healthcare, so while I appreciate the question, I think I can manage without any "extra education" on this subject.😂

I second this.
High-risk HPV is the cause of cervical cancer. That isn't just an opinion; it’s a stance backed by medical research, which makes it the only scientifically sound position acceptable in any serious discussion. While new, evidence-based facts are always welcome, if anyone is going to spread misinformation claiming that HPV doesn't cause cervical cancer, they need to prove it scientifically. They can provide articles, provided they come from legitimate sources (Wikipedia and similar sites are absolutely not relevant here).
As for the forum user claiming that conization isn't currently an acceptable, adequate, or the ONLY medically justified procedure for early-stage cervical carcinoma: she wasn't forced to undergo the procedure. Assuming she is an adult, she could have refused whatever was offered. However, I utterly reject her message to others to refuse that treatment, which directly endangers their lives and health. Nobody wants surgery, but burying your head in the sand and acting on misinformation only serves to increase mortality rates from cervical cancer.
If this same user has any medically relevant evidence that refutes what I've stated above, let her present it. I would gladly accept new findings.
But charlatanism and pseudo-science are extremely dangerous to those who aren't well-informed, and they only serve to confuse and frighten those who are most vulnerable.

Maria Newman2 said:Who actually said that?😲
It seems quite alarming, I suppose.😲

Did you know it is possible to carry low-risk HPV that causes genital warts while also having CIN????!!!
Please, educate yourselves on CIN1, 2, 3, and HPV... especially those of you with children... do it for their sake.
Best regards,☕

It’s honestly annoying how vaccine manufacturers keep harping on about "efficacy," yet we still can't actually verify any real data—mostly because it takes forever to see if a vaccine actually prevents things like CIS or cancer. For them, "efficacy" just means seeing antibodies in a girl's blood after the shot. But look, even if some girls test negative for HPV a few years down the line, does that prove the vaccine worked? Not necessarily. They're usually following all the other advice too—using protection, staying with one partner, etc. So how can we be sure it’s the vaccine doing the heavy lifting and not just a change in behavior? Plus, more kids are being told to use condoms anyway out of fear of STIs and other stuff. Given all the headlines about birth control issues, it’s no wonder; young people want to protect themselves if they aren't sticking to traditional values until marriage—which, let's face it, isn't always the best move if you're trying to figure out if someone's actually "the one." Even if this vaccine is a massive opportunity to tackle cervical cancer, its actual utility is questionable when it doesn't touch anything else: Hepatitis B or C, HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, mycoplasma... infertility, or any of the other headaches that make people rethink having sex at all. Bottom line? Less promiscuity and responsible behavior matter more. We need to keep watching this vaccine and stay skeptical.

I actually posted this in a different thread first because I could barely find you guys again 🙂

But first, let me be clear—my dilemma isn't whether or not to get vaccinated.

I see that most of you here are moms weighing the pros and cons of vaccinating your daughters. I assume you’re all probably a few years older than me (I'm 26).
Here’s how it goes:
Back when I was 19, girls on my college campus were whispering about something we didn't even have a name for yet, but there was an outbreak simmering under the surface. Of course, nobody was openly talking about it. Around that same time, I went for my very first Pap smear; it came back negative, but my gynecologist told me that nearly 90% of tests for girls my age come back POSITIVE!!!
Basically, this epidemic really exploded by the time you all already had your children, so your generation probably doesn't feel the weight of it as much as I do.
As for me, I don't have a single female friend who doesn't have HPV. We're talking women in their mid-20s who have to go in for checkups every few months because they have at least CIN III (which is just one step away from cancer), who have to explain to their boyfriends that they need to use a condom FOREVER, and who have to be extra careful during pregnancy...
And look, this isn't about girls who are jumping from partner to partner. Some of them caught it from their very first boyfriend. Because, you see, men don't really care much about it—they don't show any symptoms, they just act as carriers.

If there is even a tiny chance to lower the odds of all that happening to me, I'm not going to hesitate.
So far, all my Pap smears have been fine. I was just in for my annual checkup this morning, and after my Pap, my doctor mentioned that if this one stays negative, I can still get the HPV vaccine.

What I'm actually wondering about is this... Has anyone here gotten vaccinated after the age of 13, and what are the COSTS like? Because apparently, the vaccine is incredibly expensive. Then again, I've heard rumors that you might be able to get it for free through insurance or certain programs.
Does anyone happen to know anything about that?

Susan Harris said:I already posted this on another thread because I could barely find you guys here. 🙂

But first, let’s get one thing straight—my dilemma isn't whether or not to get vaccinated.

I see most of you here are mothers weighing whether to vaccinate your daughters. I assume you're all a few years older than me (I'm 26).
Here’s the situation:
When I was 19, girls on college campuses were whispering about something we didn't even have a name for yet, but an epidemic was brewing. Of course, nobody was openly talking about it. That was also when I had my first Pap smear; it came back negative, but my gynecologist told me that almost 90% of tests for women my age come back POSITIVE. !!!
Essentially, the epidemic exploded right around the time you all had your children, so your generation probably doesn't view it as such a massive issue.
As for me, I don't have a single female friend who isn't HPV positive. These are women in their mid-20s who need checkups every few months because they deal with CIN III (one step away from cancer), who have to explain to their boyfriends that they need to use condoms FOREVER, and who have to be extra careful during pregnancy...
And this isn't about women with multiple partners. Some caught it from their very first boyfriend. Because apparently, men don't really care; they don't show symptoms, they just act as carriers.

If there is any way to lower my risk of going through all that, I am not hesitating.
So far, all my Pap smears have been fine. I went in for my annual checkup this morning, and my doctor said if this result is negative, I should get the HPV vaccine.

What I want to know is this... Has anyone older than 13 been vaccinated, and what are the COSTS? I've heard the vaccine is incredibly expensive. On the other hand, I also heard it might be available for free.
Does anyone know anything about this?

Hey,
You can get vaccinated after 13—I think up to age 25. I read that in an article where prominent American gynecologists specializing in youth reproductive health (including my own doctor) were discussing it. Girls aged 13 get it for free since it's covered by government funding as part of a campaign to reduce HPV cases and cervical cancer. The age 13 mark was chosen because it's assumed most girls haven't been sexually active yet, making the vaccine most effective. But that doesn't mean you can't get it if you're older and haven't had sex; quite the opposite. It’s a three-dose series, and the price is $3 $0.00, though I'm not sure if that's per dose or for the whole set. I believe there might be options for partial or full coverage for those with lower incomes.
I'm 19, not sexually active yet, and I'm thinking about getting it. Before I make a final decision, I'm going to consult thoroughly with my gynecologist, who is very knowledgeable on the subject.

Elizabeth James95 said:Hey,
you can actually get vaccinated even if you're older than 13—up to age 25, I believe. That's how I read it in an article where some prominent American gynecologists specializing in youth reproductive health (including my own doctor!) were discussing it. Girls starting at 13 receive the vaccination for free, essentially funded by the government, because it’s part of a major public health campaign to reduce HPV cases and, ultimately, cervical cancer rates. They settled on 13 as the baseline because it's generally considered the age when most girls haven't become sexually active yet, which makes the vaccine most effective. But that doesn't mean if you're older and haven't been sexually active, you can't get it; quite the opposite, actually. The series requires three doses, and the cost is around 3 $0.00, though I'm not entirely certain if that's per dose or for the full three-dose regimen. I suspect there might be options for partial or even full coverage for young women facing financial hardships.
I am 19 years old, I am not currently sexually active, and I am weighing the decision to get vaccinated. However, before I make a final call on whether to proceed, I plan to have a very thorough consultation with my gynecologist, who is highly knowledgeable regarding this matter.

Elizabeth James95, thank you 🙂
Yes, I heard the price was somewhere in that ballpark too...
I'll definitely need to look into potential discounts or assistance programs.

A small side note for those who are still feeling hesitant.
I was just having lunch with a friend and we ended up talking about this exact topic. She, unfortunately, has HPV. She mentioned that for her, the worst part is the psychological toll. It's this constant, nagging anxiety—this sort of psychosis—that something is growing down there...

Look, ladies, I’m 32... so I’m not exactly ages away from where you all are...
My daughter is in 7th grade right now, too. And let me be crystal clear: there is absolutely no way I'm letting her get vaccinated.
I've already sat down and had a long talk with my daughter-in-law about this, and we're on the exact same page.

Even my best friend ended up catching HPV from one of
those early guys she was seeing, and honestly, watching her struggle with the fallout for years has been heartbreaking...
But at the same time, I vividly remember him constantly insisting he couldn't
deal with wearing a condom because he thought it felt "gross." He basically told her she should just stick to birth control pills,
meanwhile, he was being reckless and ended up passing HPV onto her anyway.
I remember trying to explain to her that condoms aren't just about preventing pregnancy,
they're about protecting yourself from other nasty diseases, too...

And seriously, go back and read that stuff about the vaccinations on the previous page, because that vaccine
really hasn't been properly tested....

Sending you all my best and wishing you luck....

Susan Harris said:Let’s be clear: this isn't some sweeping indictment of women who move quickly from one partner to the next. That’s a lazy assumption. The reality is far more insidious. Some women contract the virus with their very first partner. The core of the issue lies in a profound lack of concern; because they aren't exhibiting any physical symptoms, they essentially function as silent carriers, moving through life entirely unaware that they are passing it along.

Honestly, what does it even matter if they aren't switching partners? That’s missing the forest for the trees. The core issue here is that many young women seem to harbor this misguided notion that if they stick with their first partner, they are somehow shielded from contracting an STI, or conversely, that their ability to conceive is somehow guaranteed by that initial encounter. It’s a fundamental misunderstanding of biology. The frequency of partner changes isn't the variable at play here; rather, we are looking at a massive deficit in basic health literacy. What we desperately need isn't just another vaccine rollout, but comprehensive, old-fashioned education.😁It is my firm belief that by implementing mandatory vaccination, we are inadvertently fostering a dangerous sense of complacency; we risk creating a future where the general public's awareness regarding the inherent perils of unprotected sexual activity is significantly diminished.🤷

northernraven49 said:Posted on the Gender Forum
...
It’s quite sobering when you take a moment to look at the actual data. During the first 26 months following the FDA's approval of Gardasil in the US—which brings us up to August 2008—the agency received roughly 8,000 reports involving adverse events and deaths following vaccination. When you look at the list of reported side effects, it’s truly extensive. We aren't just talking about a sore arm; the reports include things like paralysis, seizures, muscle spasms, heart irregularities, kidney failure, vision issues, arthritis, breathing difficulties, severe rashes, and constant vomiting. There were also reports of miscarriages, menstrual irregularities, and reproductive system issues. Perhaps most ironic is that some recipients reported genital warts, vaginal sores, and HPV infections—which are the very things the vaccine is intended to prevent! And, most tragically, the reports even included instances of death. It really makes you stop and think about the full scope of these safety signals.

CBS News, CNN, and MSNBC.

(...)

It’s interesting to look at the actual breakdown of how things work. Based on what I've been reading, HPV types 16 and 18 are responsible for about 70% of cervical cancer cases, which is exactly what the Gardasil vaccine is designed to target. However, we have to keep in mind that the remaining 30% of cases are linked to other genotypes—specifically, there are 13 other types of the virus that can be causative agents. It is important to note that Gardasil doesn't provide protection against those other 13 genotypes. It's all about understanding those specific numbers!

The vaccination process typically happens in three separate doses, and when you add up the total cost... $1100 From what I can gather, we’re looking at how much of our hard-earned tax dollars are being funneled through the New York City budget to fund these programs. For instance, back in 2009, they set aside $600,000 specifically for this purpose. It’s important to remember that this vaccination isn't actually "free"—it’s being paid for by the taxpayers. When you look at the actual data, the cancer caused by this specific virus is quite rare, accounting for only about 3.3% of all female cancer cases. Because of that, I find it hard to see the logic behind certain local initiatives or county-wide pushes to mass-vaccinate girls at a specific age—usually around seventh grade. To me, it feels like there isn't a strong public health justification for it. We end up pouring massive amounts of money into these programs when the actual public health benefit is minimal, or perhaps even negligible, considering those low risk percentages.

Personally, I have to say I’m pretty much against articles like this one. To me, they feel incredibly biased, almost as if they're intentionally leading people—especially those who might be skimming rather than reading closely—toward the wrong conclusions. I've pulled out the specific snippets above that I believe are most important for spotting the logical traps being set here.

First off—it says that 8,000 cases were recorded, but those are just the ones noted *after* vaccination. If I recall correctly, one of the classic logical fallacies is the assumption that because one event precedes another, the first must be the cause of the second. That’s just not how logic works! A preceding event might be the culprit, but more often than not, it’s just a coincidence. So, out of those alleged 8,000 reports, maybe there are 1,000 actual issues, maybe 100, maybe even just 10—or perhaps none of them are actually side effects resulting from the shot. We simply don't know! To me, the even bigger manipulation in presenting this information (just like any other statistical data) is that they haven't mentioned the sample size. How many people were actually vaccinated? Is it 8,000? 800,000? 80,000,000? Every one of those numbers creates a completely different subjective sense of risk for me. Without knowing that number, my only thought is that this is a deliberate attempt to scare people by throwing around large, contextless figures.

Part two—the American media is reporting on this... though, if I’m being completely honest, I don't really care what they decide to broadcast. It isn't even about falling down a rabbit hole of conspiracy theories; it’s just my genuine feeling that they are far too obsessed with sensationalism. Everything is designed to sell ad space, and since ad revenue is driven by viewership, they go straight for the shock factor. Just think back to those endless, non-stop stories about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq... or all that intense coverage regarding the civil war in the North America. After everything we've seen, do you truly believe they have the actual time or the budget to commit to objective, deep-dive investigative journalism?

THIRD POINT — The argument that it "only" protects against 70% of cancer cases. Wait, hold on a second. How can anyone say "only"? For all you "smart" people who think 70% is a small number, why don't you just stop wearing seatbelts in your cars? Or better yet, don't bother putting your kids in car seats. Why bother? It won't provide 100% protection, right? So what’s the point? Isn't that exactly the kind of logic used in this "brilliant" passage? Not to mention the ridiculous idea that maybe if your car catches fire or plunges into a river, the seatbelt or the car seat might actually get in the way of your escape. My personal take is pretty simple: nothing provides 100% protection. Nothing! But there is such a thing as risk reduction. Any sane person would try to lower their risk whenever possible. In fact, most people are willing to accept a tiny bit of extra inconvenience—like being buckled in—if it significantly reduces the primary danger, like flying through the windshield because some idiot pulled out in front of you.

FOURTHLY—I find the hypocritical angle regarding cost quite telling. People argue it isn't truly "free" because it’s funded by taxpayers (which, let's be honest, applies to pretty much EVERYTHING labeled "free" in this country), while simultaneously pointing out that it protects against cancer types that account for "only" 3.3% of all cancer cases. It’s funny how that works. As soon as you need "free" coverage for an individual disease that is incomparably rarer than that 3.3%, suddenly everyone starts complaining about how unfair the system is because it doesn't prioritize rare cases. So, what is the logic here? We should fund treatments for one-in-a-million scenarios, but not for something much more common? I just don't see where the moral principle that every life matters went out the window.

To wrap things up—I’ll admit I don't know enough about the vaccine itself to be an expert, but I certainly know enough about this "reasoned" article against vaccination to believe it is intentionally misleading. I honestly cannot fathom how anyone could view this as serious, valid argumentation when they are making decisions about something that could potentially save their own child's LIFE!

I have a quick question... When this was all being talked about, I was a bit younger, but I'm 21 now. Is it still possible for me to get the HPV vaccine, and where would I even go? Does anyone have any experience with the process or know how it works?

Look, there’s already research coming out of places like Australia, the UK, Norway, and Sweden showing that getting Gardasil actually spikes cervical cancer rates. We're talking a massive jump—around 100% for the 15-to-24 demographic. It used to be that this kind of thing was super rare in young women, but now? Not so much. Meanwhile, the numbers for the unvaccinated crowd have been steadily dropping for years.
Right now, they’re handing this vaccine out for free to every single high schooler. I honestly don't see the point if the cancer risk is climbing like this.

Jamie Rivera78 said:Studies are already surfacing (in Australia, the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, and elsewhere) suggesting that Gardasil vaccination leads to a significant spike in cervical cancer rates. We're looking at roughly a 100% increase in the 15-24 demographic. It used to be a rare occurrence among young women, but apparently, those days are over. Meanwhile, rates among the unvaccinated have been dropping for years.
High schoolers get this shot for free right now. What's the point, if cancer is actually becoming more common?

Could we get links to these supposed studies? Every single one I've come across claims the exact opposite. In Australia, they’ve seen a massive drop in cervical cancer incidence since introducing the HPV vaccine.
https://www.cancer.org.au/news/media...r-by-2035.html

https://www.aappublications.org/news...alcancer080918

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6194907/

Sandra Johnson78 said:I have a question... When this was all happening, I was a bit older... Now I'm 21. Can I still get vaccinated against HPV, and where? What's the process, if anyone has experience?

You can. There's plenty of info in an open Facebook group called "Vaccination/Immunization"—it's for anyone with questions or doubts.

Jessica Walker30 said:Can I get a link to these "studies" you're talking about? Because everything I've ever read says the exact opposite. In Australia, cervical cancer rates have plummeted since they started using the HPV vaccine.
https://www.cancer.org.au/news/media...r-by-2035.html

https://www.aappublications.org/news...alcancer080918

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6194907/

Look, here’s the latest data and some actual references:
http://healthimpactnews.com/2019/fre...to-pap-smears/

Look, this isn't some peer-reviewed scientific study or a credible source. It hasn't been vetted by anyone. Anyone can post whatever they want online. It's just fake news.

Jessica Walker30 said:I have to disagree. This isn't a peer-reviewed scientific study or a credible source. Anyone can post whatever they want online, but that doesn't make it true. This is just fake news.

Even 24 News covered it, so it has to be true. 😵

Just wanted to share that I was able to get vaccinated at age 22, and it was completely free. I’m not sure if that program is still active, so you might want to check with your school physician or the CDC to see if you can still take advantage of it.
I’m heading in soon to get my second dose. I honestly had no idea this was such an widespread issue; I’ve never personally had any symptoms or anything to show for it, though my gynecologist mentioned that those specific tests aren't typically included in our standard annual checkups here in the States, so there's really no way of knowing for sure. When I mentioned to some friends that I was going in for the vaccination, several of them told me they actually tested positive—some have already fought through it, and others are still dealing with it. It was quite a shock to hear.

Even though this hasn't been talked about here very recently,
I want to share my experience. Maybe it helps someone...
I'm 24. I didn't get the vaccine when I was a little girl.

I grew up in a super conservative household, so I didn't have sex until I was 24.
Because of how I was raised, I wasn't really informed about STIs—just the basics from school or stuff I found online...
Since things were so strict at home, I didn't start seeing guys until much later. I met someone when I was 19.

We never actually had intercourse, just heavy petting and oral...
We lived in different states and saw each other every once in a while over those few years.
I knew he was seeing other people, but I honestly believed he was using protection. Unfortunately, he wasn't. When I was 22, I noticed a wart in my intimate area. I went to my OB-GYN, who referred me to a proctologist since it was close to the anal area (even though we never had anal sex or anything like that). That’s when my nightmare started. I was so angry at everyone. My parents for raising me so conservatively that I was clueless, my school for not giving us enough info, the guy for not using protection, and myself for not researching things better and letting this happen to me.

After two agonizing surgeries in the anal area and months of fighting the HPV virus, I felt so defeated. Every time I looked at the raw skin just days after surgery and saw a new wart appearing, I thought I’d lose my mind. Every time I had to go to the bathroom, I cried from the pain. It sent me straight into a depression.
After those brutal months, my proctologist suggested I get the Gardasil vaccine, even though I'm 24 and already infected with the virus.
I was desperate. I agreed to anything that might help.
I went through the three doses, and after the first one, the warts actually started clearing up. I couldn't believe my luck...

Ladies, please, get your daughters vaccinated. Save them from this kind of pain and suffering. I regret so much that my mother didn't make sure I got vaccinated and that I had to go through all of this.
Gardasil protects against various types of HPV that cause warts, which can eventually turn into cancer if they aren't treated.
And treating them—the surgeries, the burning, the removal—it's beyond painful.
It makes you feel humiliated. It kills any desire or will to ever be intimate again.
Just to be clear, I didn't have full intercourse with him. It was just skin-to-skin contact in the genital area, but that's more than enough for HPV to spread and turn your life into hell.
I wasn't even in a "high-risk" group, really. I had only been seeing that one person all those years.
That’s why I’m asking all parents to talk to their kids about sex, protection, and STIs. It’s clearly such a taboo subject in many American families.
No one deserves to go through this, regardless of whether they've had one partner or many.

From my experience, the Gardasil vaccine is completely safe. It saved me, physically and mentally.
If I have daughters one day, I am definitely getting them vaccinated.

I hope all my struggle makes sense and helps someone else going through the same thing, or someone deciding whether to vaccinate.

Best!