Since the advent of Gardisil and other vaccinations for the human papilloma virus (HPV), most of the media attention on this subject has gone to the importance of these treatments for the health of women and girls. While this is certainly an important issue, it seems that in this discussion, the consequences to boys and men has been neglected. And yet this virus poses serious threats to male health and infections can, as they do in women, lead to serious problems.
HPV in Perspective
… it is thought that nearly every sexually active adult has been exposed to the HPV virus in their lifetime.
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Before getting too worried about this problem, it is important to note that the CDC ranks HPV infections as the most common form of STD in America and it is thought that nearly every sexually active adult has been exposed to the HPV virus in their lifetime. The good news is that in the vast majority of cases, the body’s immune system will fight this infection off in the same way it does an infection like the flu or a cold — and in many cases, a man will not even know that he has had an infection.
However, in some cases, the infection lingers and can lead severe health consequences. This is especially true for men who already have weakened immune systems and whose bodies might not be able to fight off this virus. Men who have HIV or have a history of cancer or are on certain drugs that suppress the body’s immune response.
HPV Consequences: Genital Warts and Cancer
Another possible consequence of an HPV infection is the development of oral or throat cancer which can affect either the windpipe (pharynx) or the voice box (larynx).
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The CDC notes that one of the most common consequences of an HPV infection is the development of genital warts, which appear as raised bumps or clusters of bumps on the penis or around the anus and which can come and go on their own or simply remain there until treated. Fortunately, these are not the same kind of warts that are caused by herpes infections and can be treated, sometimes with topical medication or by being removed at the doctor’s office. Even better, the strains of the HPV virus that cause this problem are not the kind that cause cancer.
Cancer, however, is a possible consequence of HPV exposure just like it is for women. While it is certainly not a common form of cancer, it is estimated that around 1,820 men will be diagnosed with penile cancer and 2,640 with anal cancer in 2015.
Another possible consequence of an HPV infection is the development of oral or throat cancer which can affect either the windpipe (pharynx) or the voice box (larynx). Warning sign and symptoms of this disease include a cough that will not go away and which has no obvious cause, soreness or hoarseness in the throat or a change in voice and difficulty breathing and swallowing. However, especially if it is detected early, this form of cancer is highly treatable with some combination of surgery, chemotherapy or radiation.
Preventing HPV Infections in Men and Boys
At this point, there are no routine screenings for HPV in boys and men …
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At this point, there are no routine screenings for HPV in boys and men, though some doctors are calling for the broader use of anal PAP tests for gay or bisexual men, who are at a much higher risk for developing this problem. There are other doctors who believe that screening should be more widespread in order to detect this problem early and begin treatment.
There are, however, many ways which boys and men, no matter what their sexual orientation, can reduce their risk of HPV exposure:
Practice abstinence or use condoms with every sexual encounter.
Follow the recommended HPV vaccine schedule: boys between 11-12 should be given this vaccine and older boys through the age of 21 if they have not received the vaccine previously. Gay and bisexual men can receive this vaccine through age 26, as can men who have HIV or who have other conditions which weaken their immune systems.
The takeaway here is that while HPV can have a serious impact on women’s health, the same holds true for men and because some many men will be exposed to the HPV virus in their lifetime, it is an issue that should receive more coverage in the media — and also once which doctors should discuss with their patients to spread the word on this important health issue.
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Photo: Getty Images
No national vaccine program for men in the UK yet. Must be the patriarchy.