GARDASIL HPV â€“ How old or young the girl?

**Austin Richards** · 03-30-2010 11:43 PM

My girlfriend's daughter is nine and she wants to know at what age you would have it done for your daughter. I looked it up and said 9 was the starting age.

I use to be in the medical field and always had the philosophy that you never want to be one of the first ones using a new drug. For instance at one point they said you could take the pneumonia vaccine as often as you wanted, and then about 5 years later said you shouldn't take it more than 3 times in a lifetime.

It says that three injections are given. Her daughter doesn't do shots well and just the mention of it was enough to put her in a panic. Do you know if it hurts much and if it is given in the butt?

I already know that it doesn't protect you against all cancers. On a side note, I see that it can be used on boys and will help prevent genital warts. Have you given it to your sons?

One other thing... she was telling me that it was expensive and she is going to check if her insurance is going to cover it, so if you have any first hand experiences in payment, I'd really like to hear that.

**x.st.angel.x** · 03-31-2010 01:10 AM

I dont think that the vaccine is necessary until a young lady is about to start having sex... at age 9?? no i dont think thats necessary at all. I would wait till they're in thier teens or least... earliest 12 years old.

**miszxclusiive** · 03-31-2010 01:15 AM

not necessary til she's sexually active... already have it so i know what im telling u

**x.st.angel.x** · 03-31-2010 01:18 AM

Yeah i had the shots as well and im almost 20.... at 9 years old is too young in my opinion also im not sure about men being able to take the shot to prevent genital warts. I have heard nothing about that...?

**miszxclusiive** · 03-31-2010 01:44 AM

yea actually guys are going to be able to get them

**p3375** · 03-31-2010 02:23 AM

Agree w/ the replies, just get it before the girl (or guy) becomes sexually active.
Note: cancer prevention is a benificial side effect, the primary puppose is to prevent the most commmon strains of Human Paplomia Virus (HPV) which causes genital warts (thus - the 'effective for guys' thing). The reason it prevents cancer is that HPV infections cause cervical cancer in a signif % of those who get it.
Re: holding off, caution with taking it - any vaccine, medical procedure, drug or activity has risks. What we have to do as responsible adults is decide for ourselves whether the risk of taking the vaccine, drug, procedure is outweighed by the risk of not taking the ... whatever. Old vaccines (i.e. the old horse-serum stuff used for rabies treatment) had risks as high as 20% fatalities for those recevning. So why did folks take it? Cause rabies is 100% fatal.... so ya make a judgement call and hope for th best.
Modern vaccines in the US are wayyy safe, despite some of the conspiricy / internet junk you may hear..
So - long winded but have the kids take the vaccine. I had mine

P

**p3375** · 03-31-2010 02:25 AM

Oh, sorry forgot
Check your local Health Department if in US - lots of them give the vaccine FREE -
P

**Austin Richards** · 04-01-2010 12:09 AM

Thanks everyone for the great advice. Apparently the wait until being sexually active doesn't help prevent any cancer. I especially want to think p3375 with the Health Department possibility.

**kira** · 04-01-2010 12:50 AM

I had mine a few years ago at 22. It hurts! I handle shots and pain well but my upper arm was stinging for hours and sore for days. Even when I had the 3rd shot done at a different clinic. Painful.

Apparently the wait until being sexually active doesn't help prevent any cancer.

Having the shot before being sexually active won't help prevent cancer either. It only helps prevent cancer by preventing the sexually transmitted disease so no sex, no potential cancer prevention. Personally I would do it again but I would suggest waiting as long as possible and potentially even after becoming sexually active for awhile if you start early. I just don't think it's something maturing bodies need to deal with and from what I've heard the side effect rate is much higher amongst younger girls. There was some controversy over it and the fact they were pushing to use it on pre and early teens.

**bubblybabyb** · 04-06-2010 05:13 PM

Hello--

9 seems a bit young and I don't think she's going to be sexually active at that age. I would say to wait until she's about 13-15. I got it when I was about 16 and I wasn't sexually active then. I don't think you should wait until she's sexually active--and she may not even tell you when she does start to become sexually active. I think that age would be appropriate. And remember, always encourage her to be open and honest with you. Building trust is important and she needs to feel comfortable enough to open up and talk to you. After all, she's a young girl--It's better that she be open with you then keep things that could possibly have long term effects away from you.

*B*