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Can STD Be Contracted Through Oral Sex And Transmitted To Another Through Sexual Contact?
Question: Several years ago my wife had a Leep procedure done after a PAP Smear returned a positive for mild dysplasia(?). Since that procedure she has had clear PAP Smears, but hasn't had one done for about 6 years or so (I'm) not sure of the exact time period. She is going in to have a check-up in a couple of weeks. My question is 2 part. The first is with this amount of time passing, is it likely that a PAP with come back again abnormal or could have evolved into cervical cancer. There is so much advertisement about it now that wasn't there years ago. Second question is about 4 years ago we went through some rough marital times. I had seen this other woman on and off for about a year and a half. During that time we never had unprotected sex. However, I did perform some oral on her, bur her never on me. If for any reason this woman may have had an STD of Chlam./Ghonn or other possibilities, what is the likely hood I would have gotten it in my throat and then passed it to my wife (we have since gotten on track and things are really good now). It's been about two and half years since seeing the other woman. At the end of things with her I did have some STD testing done and they were negative (urine and blood). They said that they did not do throat culters. I am wondering if I had one of these in the throat could I have passed it to her and we have been passing this back and forth for two and a half years? The thought of all this is just giving me nightmares.
Brief Answer:
Dysplasia and STD concerns are minimal
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Firstly, with regard to the dysplasia, we don't typically perform an LEEP procedure on mild dysplasia alone. My guess is that she had either a more abnormal finding or the dysplasia that was present was not clearing on its own over time. After the LEEP, the pathology report would have reported whether or not the 'margins were clear'. Typically we then perform more frequent Pap smears (every 6 months) until there are two normal ones in a row and then revert to yearly Pap smears. My guess is that the LEEP likely cleared the problem and while she did not have the usual follow up in place, the chances of a problem is incredibly small.
The time frame for progression from mild dysplasia to cancer is very long and it is incredibly unlikely that she will be found to have cancer on an exam 6 years later. Yes, she needs to get in for a Pap smear, but no, there is very little concern that there is anything serious going on. If she has persistent dysplasia of any kind, she may be faced with a repeat LEEP procedure.
With regard to the other STD concerns, gonorrhea is associated with pharyngitis (throat infections) but it is relatively uncommon. It is more commonly acquired with oral stimulation of a penis vs. that acquired through oral stimulation of a female.
Yes, majority of the carriers do NOT have symptoms, but it can be associated with a sore throat. In a study of sexually active couples seeking STD screening of both partners, the incidence of positive throat cultures was about 1% (this did not differentiate between the men and women). It is likely that the women were more likely positive in these cases. My guess is that your risk is remarkably LESS than 1%. You could simply solve this issue by going into a clinic and asking for a throat culture for gonorrhea.
Finally, if you had passed gonorrhea to your wife, it is almost certain that she would have eventually had symptoms (vaginal discharge, odor, pelvic pain). If she is aware of your indiscretion, then you could simply ask her to ask her doctor for STD screening of the cervix. If not, then you will likely be able to rest easier by just getting in to have your throat cultured.
I think that you have very little to worry about. She definitely needs a repeat exam and Pap smear.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Timothy Raichle
OBGYN
Dysplasia and STD concerns are minimal
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Firstly, with regard to the dysplasia, we don't typically perform an LEEP procedure on mild dysplasia alone. My guess is that she had either a more abnormal finding or the dysplasia that was present was not clearing on its own over time. After the LEEP, the pathology report would have reported whether or not the 'margins were clear'. Typically we then perform more frequent Pap smears (every 6 months) until there are two normal ones in a row and then revert to yearly Pap smears. My guess is that the LEEP likely cleared the problem and while she did not have the usual follow up in place, the chances of a problem is incredibly small.
The time frame for progression from mild dysplasia to cancer is very long and it is incredibly unlikely that she will be found to have cancer on an exam 6 years later. Yes, she needs to get in for a Pap smear, but no, there is very little concern that there is anything serious going on. If she has persistent dysplasia of any kind, she may be faced with a repeat LEEP procedure.
With regard to the other STD concerns, gonorrhea is associated with pharyngitis (throat infections) but it is relatively uncommon. It is more commonly acquired with oral stimulation of a penis vs. that acquired through oral stimulation of a female.
Yes, majority of the carriers do NOT have symptoms, but it can be associated with a sore throat. In a study of sexually active couples seeking STD screening of both partners, the incidence of positive throat cultures was about 1% (this did not differentiate between the men and women). It is likely that the women were more likely positive in these cases. My guess is that your risk is remarkably LESS than 1%. You could simply solve this issue by going into a clinic and asking for a throat culture for gonorrhea.
Finally, if you had passed gonorrhea to your wife, it is almost certain that she would have eventually had symptoms (vaginal discharge, odor, pelvic pain). If she is aware of your indiscretion, then you could simply ask her to ask her doctor for STD screening of the cervix. If not, then you will likely be able to rest easier by just getting in to have your throat cultured.
I think that you have very little to worry about. She definitely needs a repeat exam and Pap smear.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Timothy Raichle
OBGYN
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you for following up on the question. I thought it was mild dysplascia, but I am trying to remember what the OBGYN said 15 or so years ago. She did have PAP smears every 6 months and did have 2 clear ones. Then since then she has had 2, maybe 3 more clear ones. I don't remember anything about margins when talking to the Dr with her.
All I hear about now is HPV and Cancer and I went to a county clinic and the lady told me I would have given it to her after we got married. My wife was a virgin, but I had been with 3 women before her and new nothing at all about this sort of possibility, nor had I ever even heard of it. The lady at the clinic told me she would never be clear of it since we would just keep passing it back and forth.
She has not had sort of discharge, odor or anything like that, and I don't recall her ever saying anything about pelvic pain. She is not aware of my indiscretions and I did stop that a long time ago and things have gotten a lot better, but this has always been on the back of my mind. I was also told I may have gotten some other form of HPV from the other lady and passed it onto my wife as well that may put her at risk for additional cervical issues/cancer. How likely is it that I may contracted a different form from oral sex and can that be passed onto her? I am assuming that is a strong possibility. This whole thing has just got me all messed up. I've worked so hard to put ours and our 4 kids lives back together that I am afraid this is all going to blow-up in my face and that I now need to start worrying about the possibility of throat cancer for me.
Also, I was planning on doing the testing again on Monday, but I have not found anywhere that I live that does throat cultures. They used to, but do not any longer. They said that the urine and blood is reliable, so I just don't know about getting that done.
All I hear about now is HPV and Cancer and I went to a county clinic and the lady told me I would have given it to her after we got married. My wife was a virgin, but I had been with 3 women before her and new nothing at all about this sort of possibility, nor had I ever even heard of it. The lady at the clinic told me she would never be clear of it since we would just keep passing it back and forth.
She has not had sort of discharge, odor or anything like that, and I don't recall her ever saying anything about pelvic pain. She is not aware of my indiscretions and I did stop that a long time ago and things have gotten a lot better, but this has always been on the back of my mind. I was also told I may have gotten some other form of HPV from the other lady and passed it onto my wife as well that may put her at risk for additional cervical issues/cancer. How likely is it that I may contracted a different form from oral sex and can that be passed onto her? I am assuming that is a strong possibility. This whole thing has just got me all messed up. I've worked so hard to put ours and our 4 kids lives back together that I am afraid this is all going to blow-up in my face and that I now need to start worrying about the possibility of throat cancer for me.
Also, I was planning on doing the testing again on Monday, but I have not found anywhere that I live that does throat cultures. They used to, but do not any longer. They said that the urine and blood is reliable, so I just don't know about getting that done.
Brief Answer:
HPV is very common and not associated with throat cancer
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
HPV is a common virus. There are a LOT of different strains. Some cause warts on your hands and feet, and others cause genital warts or precancerous changes on the cervix. I explain to patients "you are exposed because you are a human being who has been sexually active". Yes, if your wife was a virgin then you "gave it to her", but so what - you are just human. You had partners before her (of which she probably knows) and that is what you brought to the table. There would be no way of differentiating the strains that you had when you got married from additional strains that you were later exposed to. In other words, if she has recurrent dysplasia, it is by no means a 'smoking gun'. She has been exposed and the treatment is easy and it is also very easy to avoid cervical cancer. For example, if she goes into her visit and the Pap smear is normal, then you have nothing to worry about. If the Pap smear is abnormal, then it is likely related to reactivation of the prior HPV infection or re-exposure from the strains that you were always carrying.
Does this help? Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Timothy Raichle
OBGYN
HPV is very common and not associated with throat cancer
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
HPV is a common virus. There are a LOT of different strains. Some cause warts on your hands and feet, and others cause genital warts or precancerous changes on the cervix. I explain to patients "you are exposed because you are a human being who has been sexually active". Yes, if your wife was a virgin then you "gave it to her", but so what - you are just human. You had partners before her (of which she probably knows) and that is what you brought to the table. There would be no way of differentiating the strains that you had when you got married from additional strains that you were later exposed to. In other words, if she has recurrent dysplasia, it is by no means a 'smoking gun'. She has been exposed and the treatment is easy and it is also very easy to avoid cervical cancer. For example, if she goes into her visit and the Pap smear is normal, then you have nothing to worry about. If the Pap smear is abnormal, then it is likely related to reactivation of the prior HPV infection or re-exposure from the strains that you were always carrying.
Does this help? Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Timothy Raichle
OBGYN
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you Dr for that explanation. It does give a better understanding. It's so hard to determine what is and what is not accurate. I hear of women getting cervical cancer and have only been sexually active for a short period, then others late in life. That there are lots of strains and it is very confusing what does and doesn't lead to this.
We actually never spoke about my prior activity before we were married. I came from a very conservative family and it was not talked about at that time. I had never heard of HPV or concerns like that at anytime. Prior to ever meeting her I went to a church leader and talked about having sex out of marriage (my parents had always taught and asked me to always wait, but I gave in as a young person when I was out on my own). That leader told me that it was my business and I did not need to share it with anyone and to move-forward with my life. This is what I did and it was shortly after this I met her and we just never had that discussion.
Thanks again for your explanation. I think Monday I will go and have a panel done for my piece of mind relating to the other issues and I will pray this check-up will go well for her.
We actually never spoke about my prior activity before we were married. I came from a very conservative family and it was not talked about at that time. I had never heard of HPV or concerns like that at anytime. Prior to ever meeting her I went to a church leader and talked about having sex out of marriage (my parents had always taught and asked me to always wait, but I gave in as a young person when I was out on my own). That leader told me that it was my business and I did not need to share it with anyone and to move-forward with my life. This is what I did and it was shortly after this I met her and we just never had that discussion.
Thanks again for your explanation. I think Monday I will go and have a panel done for my piece of mind relating to the other issues and I will pray this check-up will go well for her.
Brief Answer:
I understand the confusion but this will all turn out okay
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for the follow up information. You are only a human being and should not think less of yourself for past indiscretions or decisions. I wish you the best of luck!
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Timothy Raichle
OBGYN
I understand the confusion but this will all turn out okay
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for the follow up information. You are only a human being and should not think less of yourself for past indiscretions or decisions. I wish you the best of luck!
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Timothy Raichle
OBGYN
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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