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Show AggieLife Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010 Page 7 Health: Change causing confusion continued from page 5 for HPV-related Pap changes, as well as women who have one virginal partner when they began their sexual relationship, and they are virginal as well." Orians said that by age 21 or within three years of beginning sexual activity, it can be a particularly problematic time. "If a young woman who's become sexually active and has multiple partners and doesn't have any assessment of her health for three full years, issues of infertility, general pelvic health, safe relationships and self-image can come up," Orians said. "All of these things can go amok in these three years, including that HPV can present itself." An important point for college-aged women, according to Orians, is that they are the highest risk group to have undesirable results on a pap test, because they are beginning their sexual lives. And some have multiple partners during this time. But for many women, going to the gynecologist for these personal procedures and discussions is unnerving. Orians said to plan ahead to find a provider each woman is most comfortable with. Orians said, "Ideally, you should bring a list of your concerns. Also, it can be comforting that the staff has also been through that exam — they know that anxiety. It's a universal anxiety women have. But knowing the answer to your questions, having a comfortable relationship with your provider and knowing you are doing what you can to protect your health is hopefully comforting." If the pap test results come back positive, then an exam every six months would happen, depending on the anxiety of the patient and the severity of the findings, Orians said. Positive results can be caused by many things, including inflammatory and reactive changes in the cervix which can be interpreted as a bad result. Also, Orians said bacterial and fungal infections can also be picked up by the test, but HPV changes are the major concern. According to Orians, women who have received the vaccine Gardasil makes recipients immune to four strains of HPV, an STD. This HPV infection The first broad U.S. estimate finds that 24.9 million females aged 14 to 59 are infected with human papillomavirus. 11r1rA 71-1411/47 riNti$9111194r 0 Get photo reprints, mousepads, t-shirts and more. Click on Photo Reprints, at www.aggietownsquare.com WEEKEND GETAWAY IN MOAB! Thursday-Saturday, April 15-17 How it compares New STD infections each year, estimated in 2000r 6.2 million HPV Chlamydia 2.8 million Genital herpes 1.6 million Gonorrhea 718,000 ..3E0 I121 1.11 e Van 'e tte ZIPitiaAttir+3 wad Cabytinhintb /aft/W triatba Hepatitis B UtahStateUniversity MOAB EDUCATION CENTER 81,000 HIV I *Latest data available 40,000 makes women less likely to have HPV induced changes of the cervix. However, since the vaccine is fairly new, Orians said, there isn't years of data from tracking its effects. Having the vaccine doesn't mean that women can't get uterine infections from using tampons, a sexual encounter or any other issues that can come up with pelvic health that needs to be addressed on a regular basis. Orians said many college women are unaware that condoms don't provide perfect protection against HPV. "I think misinformation or unaddressed questions of risks with sexual behavior are poorly understood," Orians said. "Misinformation really affects this group. Being unaware of behaviors can cause risk to reproductive health." Also, the cost of going to a health care provider is a worry for college-aged women. The Student Health and Wellness Center, however, offers its services free of charge to students. Orians said, "Pap testing has a cost to send the vial in to be tested, but the cost does not make us money. It is to test the specimen. This is the least possible cost. We do complete assessments for women's health, except for mammography or prenatal care." Elwood said a Pap test costs $60. She also said students should remember that even though you don't have this exam every day, the provider does it often and knows how you feel." Excellent resources, according to Orians, for further information on these issues are available at the center, located on 1200 N. 850 East, or visit www.cdc. gov/cancer/cervical/basic_ info/screening.htm and http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/ breast/basic_info/screening. htm. Planned Parenthood is also a reliable source of information on these issues. " — storee.powell@aggiemail. usu.edu Street Speak What is the worst gift you received this Christmas? "My parents gave me a snow shovel so I couldn't have any more excuses for not helping them with work." IA To find out more, contact us at: (435) 259-7432 • moab.usu.edu SEE IT. HEAR IT. FEEL IT. BELIEVE It Ay-) TONIGHT vs. Nevada 7 PM DEE GLEN SMITH SPECTRUM Admission is FREE with USU Student ID! WWWITTAHSTATEAGGIES.COM prices textbook dropped! PSY 1730 was: $60.40 now: $45.34 "A set of $1 measuring cups from my little brother." used even lower — Melissa Smith, sophomore, English teaching TRICX HOE-SCHUH • SHERRIE L. NISI S — Oliver Diamond, sophomore, mechanical engineering 14'1110 ;Pc .04 s 4 Effective s College gam. Learning, "My in-laws gave me a flask." — Chris Neil, senior, political science "A green apple from a friend. I don't even like green apples." - Nicole Zhang, freshman, education rDIT USU gB°°K UtahState photos and information by Steve Sellers University A |