Can Men Get Infected with HPV? Risks and Concerns

Q: Can Men Get Infected with HPV? Risks and Concerns

The first question： If human papillomavirus (HPV) invades the mucous membranes, the primary manifestation would be the appearance of warts. <br>Therefore, your symptoms do not seem to indicate an HPV infection; they may be due to inflammation of the foreskin caused by mucosal tea

Yes, males can be infected with HPV (human papillomavirus)?

My girlfriend tested positive for HPV DNA over a month ago, with a viral load of over 600, but it was not type 6 or 16, and she was diagnosed with CIN 1.
Her gynecologist performed a cauterization procedure for treatment and advised her not to engage in sexual intercourse for a month.
About a week ago, during a follow-up appointment, her recovery was found to be good.
However, a few days ago, we had sexual intercourse (without protection).
When I went to the bathroom, I noticed small white bumps on my glans and foreskin.
They were not painful or itchy, but they quickly multiplied.
While washing in the shower, one of the pustules burst, and after that, they stopped growing, leaving behind discolored scars.
I took the opportunity to visit a urologist at a local hospital, who diagnosed me with balanitis and prescribed Rinderon-A for application twice daily.
Currently, it seems to be improving, and there are no more pustules, but the discoloration remains.
I still have some concerns: 1.
Can non-genital wart types of HPV cause symptoms in men? 2.
Even though my girlfriend underwent cauterization, do we need to ensure that she no longer has the HPV virus before we can safely have intercourse? Could it be that the high viral load in my girlfriend's body led to my infection, considering we are both monogamous partners?

sc, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2010/08/20

Dr. Li Yilun reply Urology

The first question: If human papillomavirus (HPV) invades the mucous membranes, the primary manifestation would be the appearance of warts.
Therefore, your symptoms do not seem to indicate an HPV infection; they may be due to inflammation of the foreskin caused by mucosal tears during sexual intercourse, or possibly an infection from other viruses such as herpes.
However, any type of HPV can certainly be transmitted through sexual activity.
In males, lesions are more easily detected, and if warts are present, it could be a sign of infection, with types 16 and 18 being the most common among genital warts, while other types are less likely to present symptoms.
In females, HPV is associated with cervical cancer.

The second question: Your girlfriend likely had sexual intercourse with you before her diagnosis.
If she was infected, she may have already contracted the virus, especially if you have been engaging in unprotected sexual activity.
However, based on your description, there are currently no symptoms.
Nonetheless, it is advisable to use appropriate protective measures such as condoms during sexual activity, maintain good physical and mental health, reduce stress, exercise moderately, and enhance your immune system, as these are effective methods to resist viral infections.
For your reference, human papillomavirus (HPV) is a small DNA virus (diameter 55 nm) belonging to the Papovaviridae family.
There are over a hundred known genotypes of HPV, with more than thirty types capable of infecting the skin and mucous membranes of the human genital area, leading to various diseases.
For example, the common sexually transmitted disease known as "condylomata acuminata" or "genital warts" is caused by HPV types 6 and 11.
HPV has a high degree of host specificity, meaning it specifically infects human skin and mucous membranes.
Under normal circumstances, the nuclei of human skin and mucous membrane cells are uniform in size; however, when infected by HPV, the nuclei become enlarged and vary in size, leading to cellular dysplasia and precancerous changes.
Recent epidemiological studies have shown a strong correlation between HPV and the incidence of cervical cancer.
Therefore, having a method to test whether women are infected with HPV would greatly aid in the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer.
Additionally, the cervical cancer vaccine mentioned in the news is actually a preventive vaccine against HPV.
If this vaccine can be successfully developed and administered to girls before puberty, it could help them develop antibodies against HPV before they reach reproductive age, significantly reducing the prevalence of cervical cancer and benefiting women's health.
The primary transmission routes for HPV are through "sexual contact" (hands, mouth, genitalia) or through "blood and bodily fluids." However, in very rare cases, transmission can also occur during childbirth or through other means.
According to statistics, the prevalence of HPV infection among women in Taiwan averages around 9%.
The prevalence rates for different age groups are as follows: 6.6% for ages 20-30, 7.5% for 30-40, 7.3% for 40-50, 9.2% for 50-60, and 14.8% for those over 70, indicating an increase with age.
In Taiwan, the most common HPV genotype is type 52, followed by type 16 and then type 58.
However, when comparing cases of invasive cervical cancer, type 16 is the most prevalent, followed by type 58, while type 52 is quite rare.

Reply Date: 2010/08/20

More Info

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection that affects both men and women. While much of the focus is often on women due to the association of certain HPV types with cervical cancer, men can also be affected by HPV and can transmit the virus to their partners. Understanding the risks, symptoms, and preventive measures is crucial for both partners in a relationship.

1. Can Men Get Infected with HPV?
Yes, men can get infected with HPV. There are over 100 different types of HPV, and while some types are associated with genital warts (such as types 6 and 11), others are classified as high-risk types that can lead to cancers, including anal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers. However, many men who are infected with HPV do not show symptoms and may not even be aware that they are carrying the virus.

2. Symptoms and Diagnosis:
In men, HPV often does not cause any noticeable symptoms. Some may develop genital warts, while others may experience conditions like penile or anal dysplasia. The white spots you described on your glans and foreskin could be a sign of a skin condition, such as balanitis or a reaction to irritation, rather than HPV. It's essential to follow up with a healthcare provider for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

3. Transmission and Risk:
Since HPV can be asymptomatic, it is possible for you to have contracted the virus from your girlfriend, especially if she had a high viral load at the time of your sexual contact. Even after treatment, it is important to understand that HPV can remain dormant in the body, and the risk of transmission persists. Therefore, both partners should be aware of their HPV status.

4. Testing and Treatment:
Currently, there is no routine HPV test for men, and the best way to determine if you have HPV is through the presence of symptoms or lesions. If your girlfriend has undergone treatment for HPV, it is advisable for her to have follow-up testing to ensure that the virus has been cleared. If she still has HPV, there is a risk of transmission during sexual activity.

5. Safe Sexual Practices:
To reduce the risk of HPV transmission, using condoms can significantly lower the risk, although it does not eliminate it entirely since HPV can infect areas not covered by a condom. It is also advisable to limit the number of sexual partners and to engage in regular health check-ups.

6. Vaccination:
The HPV vaccine is effective in preventing the types of HPV that most commonly cause genital warts and cancers. Since you mentioned that you have received the nine-valent HPV vaccine, you are protected against the most common high-risk types, but it is still important to practice safe sex and maintain regular health check-ups.

7. Concerns About Future Relationships:
If you and your girlfriend are both committed to each other and have been each other's only sexual partners, the risk of transmission is lower, but not zero. If either of you has concerns about HPV, discussing these openly and considering testing or further medical advice can help alleviate anxiety.

In conclusion, while HPV is a common infection, understanding its implications, symptoms, and preventive measures is crucial for both partners. Regular communication with your healthcare provider and each other about sexual health is essential for maintaining a healthy relationship. If you have further concerns about your symptoms or HPV status, seeking a consultation with a urologist or a specialist in sexually transmitted infections would be beneficial.

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