5 Facts About HPV In Men

For your health reference, here are 5 facts about HPV in men. According to the United States Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually-transmitted virus. Most sexually active men will have HPV at least once in their lifetime.

Genital human papillomavirus infects the male genitals, the skin around the penis or anus, and sometimes the mouth and throat. If you are sexually active male, you should be aware of these five facts about HPV.

1. HPV is passed through sexual contact. Genital human papillomavirus is a sexually-transmitted disease. It is passed only through genital contact--usually through vaginal or anal sex, and sometimes through oral sex. Men and women can spread the virus without realizing it, since most people with HPV develop no symptoms or problems.
2. Some HPV types can cause genital warts. For most men with HPV, the genital human papillomavirus causes no serious health concerns. However, some types of HPV can cause genital warts. Warts most often appear on the penis, testicles, groin, anus, or thighs. The can grow alone or in clusters, and they usually do not hurt.
3. Some HPV types can cause cancer. Some types of HPV can cause cancer. The most common cancers caused by HPV are anal cancer, penile cancer, head cancer, and neck cancer. The cancer-causing viruses are not the same HPV types that cause genital warts.
4. Some men are more at risk for HPV diseases. Homosexual men are seventeen times more likely to develop anal cancer than heterosexual men, according to the CDC. Men with weak immune systems, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), are also at higher risk for cancer. Genital warts are also harder to treat in men with HIV.
5. There is no cure or treatment for HPV. Unfortunately, there is no current cure or treatment for HPV. But doctors can treat other health problems caused by HPV in men. Genital wart are treated with medication or removal by surgery or freezing. Cancers can be treated with surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy. And an HPV vaccine is available to protect men from developing genital warts.