How To Test For HPV

Anyone worried about HPV should know about how to test for HPV. HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus. It affects about one percent of men who are sexual active in the United States yearly. HPV can cause varied forms of medical problems, most of them include anal cancer, penile cancer and genital warts. Currently, there is no FDA approved way to test for HPV in men. Even though there is no test for HPV, there are ways to protect yourself from contracting HPV. To properly protect against HPV, a few things are needed:

• Condoms.
• Underwear.
• Your doctor.

 To protect against HPV, simply:

1. When having sex with your partner, properly wear a condom. Never use the same condom twice.
2. Wear your underwear during sex. Keep your testicles tucked inside of the underpants to keep skin to skin contacts as limited as possible.
3. Ask your doctor about the HPV vaccine. The HPV vaccine protects against the four most common types of HPV. Two of the types cause certain cancers, and the other two protect against genital warts. Keep in mind that this vaccine doesn't cure HPV, it only helps prevent it.

When protecting against HPV, using the proper sexual protection goes along way. This includes properly putting on and using a condom. To do this simply:

1. While the penis is erect, place the condom on the head of the penis. Make sure it's facing the right way; it should be able to unravel down the shaft of the penis.
2. Start unraveling the condom down the penis. While the condom is only on the penis a little bit, pull up on the tip of it to make room for semen to collect.
3. Unravel the condom all the way to the shaft of the penis.
4. Apply any lube you wish to use.

HPV can seem daunting, but with proper medical care and education it can be handled. Keeping in contact with your doctor about the HPV can also help. Make sure to notify your doctor if there are any changes in your HPV.