HPV in Men: Symptoms, Causes, Complications, Treatment and Preventions
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common Sexually Transmitted Disease that infects more than 14 million people every year.
Based on its association with cancers, HPV can be classified into two categories, i.e., low-risk and high-risk HPV types.
Many sexually active people get infected with this virus at some point in their lives, and high-risk HPV types may cause cancers in people.
Thus, learning about HPV symptoms and causes is essential for early detection and treatment to ensure a faster recovery.
This comprehensive article will elaborate on the symptoms, causes, complications, treatment, and prevention of HPV in men.
How common are HPV cancers in men
As per the World Health Organization (WHO), HPV can cause around 5% of all cancers worldwide in people.
Out of this estimate, around 69400 men are known to get HPV-related cancer each year.
However, in 90% of people infected with a virus, their body controls the infection itself with the immune system.
Still, high-risk HPV types can increase the chances of cancers in men.
HPV symptoms in men
This STD can be asymptomatic in many cases and does not show signs of infection while being infected.
However, it may cause the following symptoms in people:
- Warts on the hands, feet, and genital region
- Unusual growth appears in some body parts
- Lumps and lesions on the body
- Sores on the body
How do men get HPV infection
A man can acquire HPV infection through sexual intercourse which includes vaginal, oral, or anal sex.
It can also spread through close skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.
HPV can also be transmitted if the infected person shows no signs or symptoms.
According to the CDC, you can have HPV even if you had sex with one person.
The symptoms of infection may appear years later when you have sexual intercourse with an infected person.
Complications of HPV in men
Many times, the body’s immune system destroys the infection-causing pathogen before it can harm the body.
However, it may also show symptoms in some cases, as follows:
Nongenital warts
HPV may cause the following non-genital warts in men:
- Common warts: They appear on hands and fingers and are rough bumps that may cause pain and are susceptible to injury and bleeding
- Plantar warts: These warts are generally grainy in texture and hard to touch. They appear on the feet and may cause discomfort
- Flat warts: Flat warts are less-raised lesions and flat-topped. These can grow anywhere in the body, but men usually have them in the beard region
Genital warts
Genital warts are small cauliflower-like, flat lesions or tiny stem-like possessions that appear on the genital region.
In men, these bumps are around the penis, scrotum, or anus.
According to the Mayo Clinic, these genital warts may not cause discomfort or pain. However, it can lead to itchiness.
Cancer
HPV can lead to the following cancers in men:
- Penile Cancer: In infected men, HPV can cause cancer of the penis. It is more common in men with HIV and who are involved in sex with another man
- Anal Cancer: HPV can cause Anal Cancer. Some physicians may recommend Anal Cytology Testing for screening of the disease
- Mouth and Throat Cancer: These are the most common HPV-related cancers in men and cause cancer of the mouth, throat, the base of the tongue, and tonsils in people
How to test for HPV in men
There is no approved test for clinical use for men.
The HPV screening tests are approved for the detection of infection in people with the cervix.
However, there is no approved HPV test for the early detection of HPV on the penis, vulva, anus, mouth or throat region.
Treatment for HPV in men
According to the Mayo Clinic, the warts may go away after some time, mostly in children.
However, there is no permanent solution for the virus.
It may reappear in the place and can infect again.
The following medications can help the infected person to treat the condition:
- Salicylic acid: The treatment medicines containing Salicylic acid work by removing the layers of warts
- Imiquimod: This prescription-based cream can boost the immune system in people
- Trichloracetic acid: It can burn warts on the genitals, and palms
- Podofilox: This medicine can work by destroying genital warts but may cause a burning and itching sensation
A doctor may also recommend the following surgical method to remove warts if medicine does not work:
- Cryotherapy (freezing warts with liquid Nitrogen)
- Electrocautery (burning warts with an electric current)
- Laser surgery
- Surgical removal of warts
How to lower the chances of HPV infection
People can follow the given methods to decrease their chances of getting HPV infection:
Get vaccination
HPV vaccines are approved for both men and women and can effectively prevent infection.
Vaccines can prevent HPV-related cancer and other HPV types linked with genital and anal warts.
The vaccination must be given between the ages of 9 and 12. However, vaccines do not help people to treat an existing infection.
Use barriers
Using condoms may be beneficial in limiting the transmission of infection-causing pathogens.
It cannot provide complete protection against HPV, as it cannot cover every possible infected area, such as genital or anal area.
Still, it can provide some protection against HPV with other STDs.
Avoid multiple sexual partners
Sexually active men should avoid having sex with many partners and people who have multiple sexual partners.
It can decrease the infection transmission from one infected person to a healthy individual.
Conclusion
HPV in men may be classified under two categories, i.e., low-risk and high-risk HPV types, depending on their association with cancers.
Though HPV is an asymptomatic condition, it can show some warts, unusual growth, lumps, or sores in men as signs of infection.
A man can acquire infection through vaginal, oral, and anal sex and close skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.
HPV can also cause certain complications in men, such as nongenital and genital warts, and high risk of anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers.
Early detection of the infection is crucial for treatment. However, there is no approved screening test for people without a cervix.
Still, men can prevent it by using condoms, getting vaccinated, and avoiding multiple sexual partners.
Also, on noticing serious symptoms, consult a healthcare practitioner and seek prompt medical intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does HPV go away in men?
As per the WHO, 90% of HPV infections can go away, as the body’s immune system may work to control the infection itself. However, HPV without treatment may lead to genital warts and cause discomfort. Further, high-risk types of HPV can increase the chances of penile, anal, and Oropharyngeal Cancer.
What are the signs of HPV in a man?
Generally, HPV is asymptomatic in many cases and does not show signs of infection. However, it may cause painless growth of nongenital and genital warts, lumps, and sores on the body. You should consult a healthcare practitioner and seek prompt medical treatment to destroy warts with prescribed medicines.
Can HPV be cured in males?
Yes, HPV can be treated in males, but there is no permanent cure for the virus. It may reappear in the same place and infect it again. However, you can take prescribed creams for destroying warts on hands, fingers, and genital region or immune system-boosting medicines.
How do men get HPV?
Men can acquire or transmit HPV infection through vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Also, close skin-to-skin contact with an infected individual may increase its chances of transmission. To have safe sex, men can use condoms and avoid multiple sexual partners to lower the chances of getting HPV.
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