HPV in Men

Protecting Yourself from HPV
One of the common misconceptions about Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is that it is a disease strictly for women. Though there are fewer cases in men, the risk is still high enough it should not be ignored. Just as with women, HPV in men has several different varieties which are linked to different kinds of cancers and can cause a host of different problems. Learning basic information about the virus can help in making decisions about prevention, testing, and treatment.

Understanding the Risk
Statistically, there is not the same risk for men as there is for women for contracting HPV. Most at risk for infection are gay and bisexual men. The risk of HPV related anal cancer is about 17 times higher than that of men who only have sex with women. Men with HIV have an even higher risk of getting the disease. The rates of men with the disease are on the rise with more men getting sick from what was once considered to be a disease only for women. Still, only 1% of men who are sexually active will get warts related to the disease and less than that will develop cancer.

Testing for HPV
There are two main tests which are done to determine if there is HPV present in men. The first is a visual test for warts. Application of vinegar on suspected warts or lesions will cause infected areas to turn whitish in color (similar to hydrogen peroxide on a small cut.) This is important because often irregular genital skin can be mistaken for displaying warts if seen in the wrong light.
Using a pap test in the anus is another way to test for HPV cells in men. The cells are collected from the anus and tested in a lab. This is the best form of identification of HPV in men.

When to Treat HPV
It is also important to keep in mind that the majority of men who contract HPV will not require treatment by a doctor. In fact, many will have the disease without even knowing it. This is why many doctors will proceed with caution when discussing treatment options. If warts have developed on the skin or one has a partner that carries HPV, then it is time to see a doctor. A doctor will determine if the warts require surgical/chemical removal or if they are mild enough to clear on their own over time. If doctors suspect potential cancerous lesions, additional test will be required to determine how far the infection has spread.