HPV in men is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can cause symptoms such as warts in the genital region, itching and discomfort in private parts, in addition to increasing the risk of penile cancer.
Although it is also common for HPV infection in men to not cause any symptoms, the virus can be present in the body and still be transmitted through contact with contaminated skin.
If HPV infection is suspected, it is recommended to consult a urologist for an evaluation. When there are warts, their removal may be recommended through the application of medication to the skin lesions or surgery.
Read too: HPV: what it is, symptoms, transmission and treatment
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of HPV in men are:
- Warts on the head or body of the penis;
- Bleeding or pain at the site of the wart;
- Itching in the genital region;
- Discomfort in private parts.
Although it is common for HPV in men to cause no or few symptoms, warts tend to increase in size, causing discomfort and bleeding during sexual intercourse, and also appear in other places such as the scrotum and anus.
Depending on the part of the body that came into contact with the HPV virus, warts can also appear in the mouth or throat, for example.
Furthermore, HPV in men can also increase the risk of penile cancer. Understand better what penile cancer is.
How to confirm the diagnosis
To confirm the diagnosis, the urologist performs a physical examination, evaluating the symptoms presented and the person’s health history.
If you want to confirm your risk of HPV, make an appointment with the urologist closest to your area:
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To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may also request a peniscopy, a type of examination where the genital region is observed with a type of magnifying glass. Find out what penisoscopy is and how it is done.
Furthermore, when there are warts, the doctor may also recommend a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
How to stick
HPV in men is transmitted mainly through unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person, even if the person does not have any type of wart or skin lesion, and transmission can occur through vaginal, anal or oral sex.
Furthermore, even though using a condom during sexual intercourse offers some protection against the transmission of HPV, there is a risk of becoming infected through contact between unprotected parts of the body, such as the vulva or scrotum.
How the treatment is carried out
There is no treatment capable of eliminating the HPV virus and, therefore, the infection can only be cured when the body itself is able to eliminate the virus naturally.
In the case of warts, HPV treatment in men generally involves their removal, which can be done with the application of irritating or acidic medications, such as podophyllin or imiquimod, cryotherapy, laser or surgery, for example. Find out how genital warts are treated.
In addition to treatment, men who know they have an HPV infection should avoid having unprotected sex to avoid transmitting the virus to their partner.
Does HPV in men have a permanent cure?
HPV infection in men is usually cured even without specific treatment. However, it is important that warts are treated properly because removing them helps the skin recover from the infection, reduces the risk of virus transmission and can alleviate symptoms.
Even if the warts are removed, it is common for them to return, and it is necessary to treat them again according to the doctor’s instructions. See more details about curing HPV.
How to prevent HPV
The best ways to prevent HPV infection in men are to use a condom during all sexual relations and take the HPV vaccine, which can be done free of charge in the SUS for all boys between the ages of 9 and 14. Find out more about the HPV vaccine and when to get it.
Bibliography
- VIVES, A; CONSENTINO, M; PALOU, J. The role of human papilloma virus test in men: First exhaustive review of literature. Urol Esp Proceedings (Engl Ed). Vol.44, n.2. 86-93, 2020
- AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY. GENITAL WARTS: DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT. Available at: <https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/az/genital-warts-treatment>. Accessed on 02 Dec 2022
- GRENNAN, D. Genital Warts. JAMA. 321. 5; 520, 2019
- CDC. HPV and Men – Fact Sheet. Available at: <https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv-and-men.htm>. Accessed on 02 Dec 2022
- LENZI, Andrea et al. Rome consensus conference – statement; human papilloma virus diseases in males. BMC Public Health. Vol.13, n.117. 2013
- STRATTON, Kelly L; CULKIN, Daniel J. A Contemporary Review of HPV and Penile Cancer. Oncology (Williston Park). Vol.30, n.3. 245-249, 2016
- STATPEARLS. Human Papillomavirus. 2022. Available at: <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448132/>. Accessed on 02 Dec 2022
- SARIER, Mehmet et al. HPV infection in urology practice. Int Urol Nephrol. Vol.52, n.1. 1-8, 2020
- CDC. Genital HPV Infection – Fact Sheet. Available at: <https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm>. Accessed on October 22, 2020
