What causes HPV in men?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus that infects half of the young adults aged 15-24 years each year in the United States. In general, genital (penis, scrotum) HPV infection has increased significantly over the past decades.
HPV infection is caused when the HPV gets transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person through oral, vaginal, or anal sex. However, HPV infection can also spread through close genital contact (even without having sex). It can be passed even when an infected person shows no signs or symptoms.
Having multiple sexual partners increases men’s chances of getting an HPV infection.
Those people who have a weak immune system (including those with HIV/AIDS) may be less equipped to fight off the HPV.
What are the symptoms of HPV in men?
The clinical history and presentation of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection vary according to the affected/infected part (genital, anus, mouth, or throat).
HPV may cause warts on the body or genitals, depending on the contact with the infected person.
HPV genital infection appears in the form of a small bump or group of bumps, known as warts, on the genital or anal area. These warts can be small or big, raised or flat, or shaped like a cauliflower. However, many people do not exhibit any signs and symptoms when they get infected with HPV. Often, the infection improves without medical treatment.
However, in some people, the infection does not go away and may cause diseases like cancer. The HPV can cause cancer of the cervix (mouth of the uterus), penis, anus, and throat.
What tests help diagnose HPV in men?
There are around 100 types of HPV and around 40 types are sexually transmitted. There are tests to detect some of them. If your doctor says that you have genital warts, this means you have an HPV infection, but there are no such tests to confirm it. Also, the type of HPV that causes cancer is different from the one that causes infection.

SLIDESHOW
The 14 Most Common Causes of Fatigue See SlideshowWhat is the treatment of HPV in men?
There is no single curative treatment for anal and genital (anogenital) warts caused by HPV.
Generally, treatment aims to eliminate as many visible warts until the patient’s immunity becomes strong enough to let warts disappear on their own.
The treatment of most HPV infections involves directly eradicating warts through any of the treatments that include:
- Surgical excision (surgical removal of warts)
- Chemical ablation (application of a chemical, such as Trichloroacetic acid or TCA that burns warts)
- Cryotherapy (application of liquid Nitrogen to freeze warts and destroy them)
These treatments usually need to be done in multiple sessions over several weeks or months.
HPV induced cancers can be treated if diagnosed at an early stage. A doctor can diagnose them and suggest the most appropriate therapy.
How can HPV be prevented in men?
Several things can help prevent HPV in men. These include:
- Getting HPV vaccination: In most young people (between the age of 9 and 26), HPV can be prevented by getting an HPV vaccine, which is safe and effective.
- Using condoms: Avoiding direct contact with the virus is the only way to prevent HPV infection. Hence, using latex condoms rightly is an important step that men can take to prevent themselves from getting an HPV infection. It must be remembered that even though condoms reduce the chances of HPV infection, it does not eliminate the risk completely.
- Staying in a mutually monogamous sexual relationship: Men should have a single sexual partner, who only has sex with them.
Health News
- Attachment Theory: What It Is, Stages & the Different Attachment Styles
- Gentle Parenting: What It Is, Techniques & Discipline
- U.S. Nursing Homes Fail to Report Many Serious Falls, Bedsores: Study
- The Younger You Get Diabetes, the Higher Your Risk for Dementia Later
- FDA Grants Full Approval to Paxlovid to Treat COVID-19
More Health News »
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Genital HPV Infection - Fact Sheet. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/std/hpv/stdfact-hpv.htm
Patient education: Human papillomavirus (HPV) (The Basics). Available at: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/human-papillomavirus-hpv-the-basics
Top HPV in Men: Symptoms, Causes, Tests, Treatment Related Articles
Can a Woman Give a Man HPV?
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a type of virus that is different from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and herpes virus (HSV). It is the most common cause of sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States. Yes, human papillomavirus (HPV) can be transmitted from a woman to man and vice versa.Can You Get HPV If You Are Not Sexually Active?
The human papillomavirus is transferred from person to person by skin-to-skin intimate contact with someone who has the infection. Transmission of HPV without sex, though uncommon, does happen.Can You Still Be Sexually Active With HPV?
Like other STIs, HPV is spread through skin-to-skin sexual contact during oral, anal and vaginal sex. It's possible to have sex even if you have HPV or you're concerned about getting it, but get vaccinated, practice safe sex, get tested regularly, and talk to your partners about it.HPV Test
The Cervista HPV test (human papillomavirus infection test in women) is a screening test used with other tests such as Pap smear and colposcopy for screening the two HPV types most likely to cause cancer, and to identify all "high-risk" HPV types. Cervista HPV test is not recommended for routine screening or for women under the age of 30.Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
Genital Warts Pictures
A wart in the moist skin of the genitals or around the anus. See a picture of Genital Warts (HPV) and learn more about the health topic.Genital Warts (HPV) Infection in Women
Genital warts is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Warts look like raised, flesh-colored lumps. Learn about symptoms, transmission, and treatment.Can I Get HIV From Casual Contact Like Hugging or Touching?
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cannot spread through casual contact such as hugging or touching. HIV does not spread through urine, saliva, tears, sweat, kissing (closed mouth or social kissing), shaking hands, sharing utensils, sharing food or drinks, sharing clothes, or from toilet seats. HIV is spread through bodily fluids from a person with HIV.How Does a Man Know if He Has HPV?
What is HPV, and what does it look like in men? Learn how to recognize HPV, when to see your doctor for HPV, and how to prevent and treat HPV in men.How Does a Woman Get HPV?
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Infection
HPV or human papillomavirus is a group of viruses that infect human mucous membranes and skin. HPV is highly contagious. Learn about symptoms, diagnosis, and vaccines.STD Quiz
There are more sexually transmitted diseases than just the ones you've heard of. Find out what you've been missing with the STD Quiz.STDs Facts Slideshow
Sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and genital herpes are common STDs. Think you might have an STD? You’re not alone. Find pictures of herpes, gonorrhea, and more. Learn how venereal disease can harm your health, and how to tell your partner if you have an STD.