5 Facts About The Gardasil Shot For Men

If you've been thinking about getting vaccinated for the genital human papillomavirus (HPV), then there are 5 useful facts about the Gardasil shot for men which you might need to know. There are 4 types of HPV viruses which cause the majority of HPV-related diseases in men. The Gardasil shot for men is an effective vaccine that prevents 90% of the occurrence of genital warts in men ages 9 to 26. For your information, here are 5 facts about the Gardasil shot for men.

1. The Gardasil shot protects against the genital human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States. HPV affects both men and women, and is transmitted through any kind of genital contact, not necessarily intercourse. Estimates place the rate of infection for the U.S. population at between 75% and 80%. The majority of men and women who contract HPV do not even realize that they have the virus as most do not develop symptoms. The body's immune system may eradicate HPV on its own within two years.
2. The Gardasil shot helps prevent genital warts, which are the most common symptom of HPV in men. Genital warts are flesh-colored growths with a great deal of variability in their appearance. They can be small to large, flat or raised, and appear alone or in clusters.  Genital wart treatment is often painful, and involves cutting the warts off, removing them with acid, or freezing them with a cryogenic agent or liquid nitrogen.
3. The Gardasil shot is actually a series of vaccinations instead of a single shot. In total, three Gardasil shots are given over the course of three months. The second Gardasil shot should be given two months after the first, and the third shot should be given six months after the first one. All three doses must be given in order to receive the full benefit of the vaccine.
4. There are certain individuals who should not receive the Gardasil shot. People who are allergic to the active ingredients in the vaccine should not get the shot. People who develop a hypersensitivity to the active ingredients after a shot should not receive any more shots. Also, people suffering from a severe allergy to yeast should not receive Gardasil.   
5. Gardasil can also help protect against certain types of cancer in men. The most common cancer of concern would be that of the penis. However, Gardasil also conveys some degree of protection against the following cancers: anal, head and neck. Cancer occurrence is far more common in women than in men.