Here’s my opinion first: Women with HPV should be tested by their husbands when available.
Problems with HPV testing for men.
1, there are currently HPV tests for men abroad, but the positive rate is not as high as for women. The reason for this may be that sample collection for men is not as reliable as for women, because only a small number of samples can be taken from the urethra and around the penis: even if men are infected with HPV, they can basically clear the virus through their own immunity due to the physiological structure. In addition, HPV testing and research on men is not done as much as on women.
2. Some units do not offer HPV testing for men.
CDC’s answer and recommendations.
How do men become infected with HPV?
Men become infected with HPV through sexual contact with an HPV-infected person. HPV is easily transmitted during anal or vaginal intercourse, and can also be transmitted through oral sex or other close mucosal skin contact. HPV can be transmitted even if the infected person has no visible signs or symptoms.
Can HPV infection in men cause disease?
Most of the time, HPV infections go away naturally and do not cause any health problems. If the infection does not go away, over months or years, symptoms of HPV may develop. It is difficult to know exactly when you have HPV infection. persistent HPV infection can lead to genital warts or certain cancers, but it is not known why some people develop symptoms and others do not.
What diseases are caused by HPV infection?
Most men with HPV infection never develop symptoms, and the HPV virus usually disappears naturally.
Persistent HPV infection can lead to genital warts.
Persistent HPV infection can lead to certain types of cancer.
Therefore, men should see a doctor if they develop any new or unusual warts, or abnormal growths, lumps, or sores on the penis, scrotum, anus, mouth, or throat.
What are the symptoms of warts?
Genital warts usually appear as a small lump, or group of lumps, on the penis or anal area. These warts may be small or large, flat, or shaped like a cauliflower. The warts may disappear, or stay the same, or grow larger or more numerous. Often, the doctor can diagnose warts by examining them. Genital warts can recur, even after treatment. The type of HPV that causes warts does not cause cancer.
Can HPV cause cancer?
Yes. HPV is not cancerous, but it can cause cancer.
HPV usually goes away naturally
HPV can cause cancer if the infection persists. Common HPV-related cancers in men are penile cancer, anal cancer, tongue cancer, tonsil cancer, and throat cancer. All of these cancers are caused by persistent HPV infection. Cancers develop very slowly, and may be diagnosed years or decades after HPV infection. Currently, there is no way to know who is only temporarily infected with HPV and who will develop cancer.
How common are HPV-associated tumors in men?
Although HPV infections are very common in men, HPV-associated tumors are not common. Men are more likely to develop HPV-associated tumors in the following conditions:
? People with HPV infection who are immunocompromised (e.g. HIV) are more likely to develop cancer.
? People who have anal sex are at risk for anal HPV infection, which can further develop into anal cancer.
Can men be tested for HPV?
There is no approved test to detect HPV in men.
The CDC does not recommend routine testing for HPV (also called “screening”) or related diseases in the absence of symptoms.
However, some institutions offer anal cytology for men at high risk for anal cancer (HIV patients, or anal sex users).
If a man does have symptoms and is concerned about the possibility of cancer, he should go to a hospital to get tested.
Is HPV infection or HPV-related disease treatable in men?
There is no specific treatment for HPV infection. However, health problems caused by HPV can be treated.
Genital warts can be treated with various methods, or with medications.
HPV-associated tumors should be treated promptly once diagnosed.
How can I reduce my chances of getting HPV infection?
Two steps.
Get the HPV vaccine. The vaccine is safe and effective. It can protect men against warts and certain cancers caused by HPV. The vaccine should be given before sexual activity begins. Usually 3 vaccinations are given over a 6-month period.
Condoms can reduce the chance of HPV infection or all other sexually transmitted diseases. However, HPV can infect areas that are not covered by condoms, so condoms do not adequately prevent HPV infection.
What types of men are candidates for the HPV vaccine?
In the United States, the HPV vaccine is recommended for the following males:
All boys 11 or 12 years of age, and up to 9 years of age.
Boys who have not been vaccinated before age 21.
Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men who have not had the vaccine before age 26.
Men with HIV who have not had the vaccine before age 26, or who are immunocompromised.
What does HPV infection mean for my health and my partner’s health?
See a doctor if you and your partner have new or unusual problems (such as warts, growths, lumps or pain) on your penis, scrotum, anus, mouth or throat.
Even if you’re healthy, it’s a good idea to check you and your partner(s) for other sexually transmitted diseases.
If you or your partner has genital warts, you should avoid having sex until the warts disappear or are removed. It is not known how long it takes for HPV to stop spreading after the warts are removed.
What does HPV infection mean for my relationship with my partner?
HPV infections are usually temporary. A person may have HPV infection for many years before they develop health problems. If you or your partner is diagnosed with an HPV-related disease, there is no way to know how long you have been infected with HPV.
HPV infection does not indicate that you and your partner have had other sexual relationships. The most important thing is that you both discuss your sexual health and the risk of all other sexually transmitted diseases to each other.