HPV In Men

HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, is easily transmittable viral infection, which resides upper skin level. It is the most common STD. There are almost hundred known types of HPV. While it is largerly reknown to be a high risk factor for women, which can develop cervical cancer from certain types of HPV (mainly type 16 and 18), the impact on males remains often undiscussed.

HPV is present in stratified epithelium of the skin only (so it cannot be detected by blood check). There it changes cell's DNA with own code and replicates.

It's estimated, that 1% of population has HPV at any time and around 50-80% of people will encounter it during life. While the virus remains in body for months and years without any symptoms, it is not possible to detect it. This helps to spread the virus, since it can take years after transmittion to discover the virus in one's body.

HPV is sexually transmittable, however close contact of skin is usually enough to spread the virus, therefore traditional protective method can lower the risk, but not completely remove. If one of the partners has HPV, it is very probable sooner or later the second one will have it too.

Most of the infections have no symptoms at all. However, sometimes genital warts can develope around anogenital areas. The warts can largely vary in size, colour and spread. Most of the time they have form of small red or purple bumps. Sometime they are invisible for human eyes.

In more serious cases, they can be accompanied by bleeding.

HPV in men is accompanied by lower level of health risk than HPV in women, however, shouldn't be overlooked. In rare cases, it can develope into anal or penile cancer. Since the HPV can affect also mouth and throat, HPV infection is a risk factor for mouth and throat cancer. Generally, the risk is high especially for patients with immunodeficiency (AIDS suffering patients).

The biggest danger of HPV in men is in spreading the virus to female partner.

HPV virus can't be treated directly. The symptoms often disappear on its own, suppressed bu our immunity, however it is impossible to tell if the virus is still present in body or not. It is estimated, that 70% of infections are gone in 1 year and 90% in 2 years Along the quickly spreading vaccine for girls and young women, one version (Gardasil) is suitable also for boys and young men, which can prevent around 90% of the warts-causing HPV types and lower the risk of developing precancerous lesions.

The warts can be treated bu usual ways (freezing, laser, gels) by doctor, or in some cases by patient himself.

You should always have a doctor check any smptoms of HPV. The best treatment of HPV is strong immunity, so general diet enhancing immunity is helpful. Especially garlic has strong antibiotic and antiviral effects.

As for warts treatment, there are dozens of more or less natural remedies, which can help you to treat the conditions with various success. Applying various natural acids, chalk, duck tape can usually do no harm, in many cases it can even help, but this depends on each one's individual conditions. Warts should be closely monitored and treated professionally.