talking to your kid about HPV Vaccine

[Anonymous]

I only have a few questions Did you tell your DC why they are getting the HPV Vaccine if they did?
I am going to take my 15 year old to the doctor for a check up next week, and they will give her the HPV vaccine... Did you tell them why they are getting it what
that they still need to be careful IF and when they do it?
She is still a virgin, but I just want her to be safe before its too late..

I don't need your opinion if you got your degree on FACEBOOK U or Twitter College.

[Anonymous]

Of course. There are lots of reasons why someone should use condoms.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I explained it and so did the doctor, though I think they were 10 or 11. All part of the sexual health and safety ongoing discussions.

Virginity (technical PIV) doesn't matter necessarily for hpv.

[Anonymous]

Yes. As with the PP, I explained it to her, as did the doctor. I think her first one was at 12.

[Anonymous]

"Remember when we talked about sexuality transmitted diseases? This prevents against one called HPV, which can also cause cancer. So we're going to do it now so that you're protected from that one disease when the time comes. Of course you still would need to use protection since this doesn't protect against everything"

[Anonymous]

It vaccinates her against cancer - isn't that the most important part?

[Anonymous]

How is this a question?

You’re getting a vaccine against cervical cancer.

Safe sex is a conversation had at 13 and 14 and 15 and 16 and……

[Anonymous]

15 is a great age to start having more open conversations about sex and safety. Explain to her that it’s a vaccine that helps prevent cancer. I’m not sure how far you want to take the conversation, but it’s worth it, for her sake, to explain other things that will help keep her safe (like limiting alcohol use, consent, protection). You can also share what your values are about all these things, but that as she becomes an adult it will be up to her to make her own decisions, and you hope how you’ve raised her as had an impact on what she decides. Good luck, OP!

[Anonymous]

Why did you wait till she was fifteen? Now she will have to get three instead of two and she may have already caught it (it's spread by more than just itnercourse)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It vaccinates her against cancer - isn't that the most important part?

I don’t remember exactly how old mine were but they were much younger than 15. I told them it was a shot that would help prevent cancer later. At 15 you can be more specific but that’s still the main reason to get it.

[Anonymous]

Ideally at 15 your child has had enough sex ed that they are going to recognize HPV as a STI. But they may not know that there are many variants of HPV and the vaccine only increases their body’s ability to fight off SOME of them. Therefor it should be considered a backup to safer sex practices and she should always use a barrier method. As a midwife with an MS degree, who does recommend it- and will have my daughters get it when they are older, I would tell you from a public health standpoint, there is no reason not to treat it as neutral as all other vaccines. Your just following the recommendation of her doctor that now is the right time to get if for the largest length of coverage over the next years.


Also as a PSA, it is now approved up to 45yo incase anyone reading this was on the cusp over the last 10years when the age was lower.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It vaccinates her against cancer - isn't that the most important part?

That’s what I said to my kid.

[Anonymous]

I told my DS for sure. I think he was 9 when he got his first shot in Virginia.

We had a family friend who died of HPV related cervical cancer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why did you wait till she was fifteen? Now she will have to get three instead of two and she may have already caught it (it's spread by more than just itnercourse)

Time got away.

[Anonymous]

You can get HPV before intercourse!!