Ladies 18-26: Gardasil/HPV Shot: Would you get it? Why or why not?

I just went to get my first injection and had second thoughts because the OB showed me some articles from a reputable newspaper about how Merck, the company which makes it, is not necessarily trustworthy because Vioxx, another one of their prodcuts, doesn't work as said. She also said that the FDA is turning into a corporation which doesn't have our best interests at heart, which I agree with, but isn't THIS vaccine a good one? Especially if it prevents cervical cancer and 70% of HPV as claimed.

She also said it had only been researched for 8 yrs. or so which was not enough time to know potential long-term effects.

I was actually a little offended she presented me this information and had such agenda-pushing. I don't know what to do now! Is it safe or not?

I'm 23 and will not get that shot. There is NO causative evidence that HPV causes cervical cancer, just that there is a higher incidence of it in people that have HPV. It'll all correlational evidence and I really have issues with all these states jumping on the "mandatory shot" bandwagon. Merck is a conglomerate company that will say whatever they can to sell a product.

So no, I won't. If you are having safe sex and make sure your partners are clean, there shouldn't be an issue. Also, do realize that it only vaccinates for 4 different strains of HPV, not the other 10+ strains.

EDIT - about the 1 out of 4 having an STD thing... go look at the sample size. LESS than 1000... and in a... low SES area. That's not an accurate study. It's skewed to look like there are WAY more girls infected than there are.

I've heard about that and the side effects it comes with...
hmmm...
what if this new drug really is some experiement to see the reaction and than they will tune it up in the later years?

I'm 14 and i have had the 1st and 2nd shot and no side effects just sore arm right after and i have friends who have had all 3 shots and they had no side effects

I had the gardasil one just to let you know

I got the first injection, and i had a bad reaction to it. normally, i do very very well with shots. i never get sick. nothing makes me weak, i never pass out, i handle pain with no problem.
as my doctor was injecting me, i felt a very intense pain, i could even feel the liquid going into my body, it felt so thick. afterwards, my arm went numb, and as i was leaving the office a few minutes later, i passed out at the door. for the next week or so, the whole right side of my body was terribly sore, getting numb at times.
im thinking about refusing to get the other two shots.
and you're right, it's too new, and they really havent done enough research on it yet.
if i were you, i'd wait.

This is a very sticky subject right now, but I am planning on vaccinating my 10 year-old daughter when the time comes. I recently did a report on this and was surprised to learn that we are all exposed to this virus by the time we are in our forties or so, however; if the immune system is strong the body will eradicate this virus sooner or later. My whole problem with that is why wait if you can be vaccinated aginst this. A recent poll indicated that 1 out of 4 teenaged girls(13-18) had an STD! This was pretty scary.
I really feel like you did the right thing.

yes but its not covered by insurance but its better safe and sorry!

I'm not getting one yet. I'm not sure if enough research has been done on the vaccine, and what the long-term side effects are. I'm a little skeptical.

i have had all three series of it, i had NO side affects (accept some rash around the injection area because of EXTREMELY senstive skin, happens with all shots) and i figure it can't hurt, and if it doesn't prevent it, it doesn't. but if it does then you will be happy in the end.

but honestly its whatever you want to do. its your body.

I'm 25 and not going to get it since my finance and I are both virgins so the little bit of risk with a vaccine isn't worth the very low probability it will help me. (The only reason I could imagine would be if he were to die and I were to remarry and I'm not about to plan for that.)

I think if you would be planning to be doing things putting you at risk, it would be good to get. Otherwise, waiting and seeing might be better than getting a vaccine that isn't tested in the long term.

I would never even contemplate getting the shot. A big no. Merck does not care about you, it cares about money.... Follow the money and you find your truth! Don't let them use you. It is not safe!