How To Detect The Human Papillomavirus In Men

Learning how to detect the human papillomavirus (HPV) in men can be a very important part of maintaining good health and practicing safe sex. HPV is transferable and the earlier it is detected, the less chance of it being given to other partners and the earlier the treatment may begin to subdue the symptoms. The following is some advice on how to detect the human papillomavirus in men, which can cause genital warts.

Things you'll need:

• Doctor's appointment

1. If you have no cause to suspect you may have HPV, it can never hurt to get tested. If you do not get tested because you think it is unlikely you have contracted the human papillomavirus, keep an eye out for physical side effects. Genital warts, bumps on and around the genitals, may start to develop and this is often a sure sign of HPV.
2. Look for any strange skin developments. Some types of HPV can cause bumps on other parts of the body, such as on the hands and feet. Keep an eye out for these, as they can signal HPV.
3. There are tests that detect HPV in women (called pap smears), but they do not work for testing on men. Physical examination and reference to a doctor are the only real ways to detect the human papillomavirus in men, so keep keep an eye out for warts, especially within a few weeks of any suspicious sexual encounter. Keep looking for physical signs as long as you continue a sex life. If you have had the same HPV-free partner for some time, you are not going to contract it unless a third party comes into play, but know that warts may show up any time after the virus is contracted, but they usually show early on after infection. If warts are found, samples of them may be removed by physicians and examined to see if they are the result of HPV. The physical warts that are caused by HPV are not cancerous, but they can be a major setback and there are treatments that can reduce them. Also consider testing even if you see no signs, as the blood tests will reveal the presence of the virus. Some men who have HPV do not display physical symptoms, like warts.

Learning how to detect the human papillomavirus relies on your ability to physically examine yourself. Any strange warts that appear around the genitals or even on other parts of the body may point to HPV and there are subsequent tests that can confirm whether or not they are caused by the virus. Sometimes, no signs will show, even if someone has contracted HPV. Treatments that minimize the symptoms of HPV are also available, though determining whether or not HPV is present should come first and for a certain diagnosis, you will need to visit the doctor.