Probably Half Of All Men Have HPV

A new study of 1,100 men in the U.S., Brazil, and Mexico found that half were infected with HPV, which is quickly being seen as evidence that boys should be vaccinated with Gardasil.

A new study of 1,100 men in the U.S., Brazil, and Mexico found that half were infected with HPV, which is quickly being seen as evidence that boys should be vaccinated with Gardasil.

• A recent study of college cheerleaders found that cheerleaders overall were "highly disposed to eating disorders," but the athletes who wear midriff-bearing uniforms were at particularly high risk. 33.1% of survey participants displayed signs of developing disordered behaviors.
Lately, it seems like whenever I turn on Hulu, I'm greeted with an ad for Gardasil, the HPV vaccine. As someone who cares a lot about reproductive health, this should make me happy. Except I just can't stand the ads.
• The consequences of unprotected sex are pretty obvious nine months later, but this ad from Trojan shows there can also be unforeseen consequences 32 years later when your "mistake" is annoying other people in a movie theater. •
Fresh from the department of no shit studies: A recent survey of teen girls in the UK has found that receiving the HPV vaccine did not inspire them to have unsafe sex, but instead reminded them of the risks. [NewScientist]
• A CDC advisory committee has recommended GlaxoSmithKline's HPV vaccine Cervarix, which is similar to Merck's Gardasil vaccine, for use in girls and women. But, some say Cervarix is overpriced because it offers less protection than Gardasil. •
• Maine officials announced today that opponents of the state legalizing gay marriage have gathered enough signatures to put the issue to a vote in November. Expect a heated battle in the next two months. •
On September 9, a Food & Drug Administration advisory committee will consider whether Gardasil should be approved for boys and if Cervarix, another HPV vaccine approved for women in developing countries, should be sold in the U.S. [Business Week]
In the most comprehensive safety study since its approval, the CDC reports that Gardisil isn't more dangerous than other vaccines. However, Merck promoted Gardasil by providing undisclosed funding to associations while ignoring poor women most at risk for cervical cancer.
Since the 1970s, the number of people with tonsil cancer in Stockholm has tripled. Now researchers have linked the increase to HPV and say the rise of oral sex during this time is to blame.
The makers of Gardasil are trying to get the HPV vaccine approved for boys, which is why now people are questioning the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, rather than if it makes girls slutty.