Where to take samples for HPV testing in men

HPV testing is generally for women, but it is not just for women. Men also need to do HPV testing in some cases. So do we know all about HPV testing for men? What does HPV testing for men do? Does HPV infection have a big impact on men's health? Let's learn more about it with the editor below!

We don't know much about HPV infection in men. Generally, men are not easily infected, but it is not ruled out that couples can be infected with each other. So how should men who are infected with HPV be treated? We need to know.

HPV test for men

According to a detailed introduction by a gynecologist, there has been no large-scale scientific research on HPV infection in men at this stage. Reference literature shows that among women with HPV infection, the HPV detection rate in their immediate family members is only 16%.

This is because, first of all, HPV is more suitable for existing in a humid environment, and the area around the male genitals is not as humid as the female genitals, which is not suitable for the growth and development of HPV virus. Therefore, even if there is HPV infection, the amount of virus infection is relatively small;

Secondly, because sampling around the male reproductive organs, such as the coronal sulcus and urethral opening, is difficult, only a small number of samples can be obtained. If the precise measurement method is not flexible enough, the virus may not be detected.

However, in clinical medicine, we often see hygroma around the anus and glans penis of men. Several men who have sexual partners have direct relatives who are infected with HPV at the same time or successively, indicating that men may be carriers, and HPV infection in men is still relatively common.

Should men take HPV test?

It is difficult to collect samples from the male reproductive tract for HPV testing. Because the area around the male reproductive organs is dry, the sample size is small and misdiagnosis is easy. Therefore, the detection rate of HPV in men is relatively low. However, if there are conditions, it is still appropriate to test the HPV of the relatives of women infected with HPV. However, at this stage, clinical testing for HPV infection in men is not widespread enough.

In fact, men should also take HPV tests so that they can better treat women who are positive for HPV infection. It is worth mentioning that we also need to understand the details of HPV infection so that we can help women better treat HPV infection.

How do men get infected with HPV and what are the main symptoms?

Similar to women, men can also be infected with HPV through close skin and mucous membrane contact, mainly through sexual intercourse (inside the vagina or anus). Simple contact in daily life, such as waving hands, will not cause infection.

Low-risk HPV virus causes genital warts, which usually occur at the anus, male genitals, scrotum, groin or thigh. Condyloma acuminatum can be cured. High-risk HPV infection may cause penile cancer or anal cancer in men (common in gay, bisexual or HIV-positive men), but it is very rare.

What impact does HPV infection have on men's health?

Male HPV infection itself is not a disease, and the vast majority of infections can be eliminated by the body's own immune system. Generally, it will not cause any symptoms and will not affect health.

Even if men are infected with HPV, due to the unique physiological structure, they can basically eliminate the virus infection through their own immunity and rarely develop diseases. In short, HPV rarely causes more serious health problems for men, especially those with good immunity.

How can couples or immediate family members who are infected with HPV prevent cross infection?

Since HPV virus is very common in nature, infection often occurs, and it is not necessarily caused by improper behavior. If one of the spouses is infected with HPV, they should ensure the following aspects: do not engage in risky sex; use special tools during intercourse to prevent or reduce cross-infection; get appropriate treatment for the infected person; and exercise to improve the body's resistance.

What is HPV test for men

1. Pathological examination

The key features are incomplete keratinization, hypertrophy of the height-to-width ratio of the stratum spinosum, papilloma-like hyperplasia, and epidermal abrupt thickening and increase. The level of hyperplasia may resemble occult epithelial cell tumors. The thorn cells and the substrate somatic cells have an unusual number of nuclear divisions, which is quite similar to lesions. However, the somatic cells are arranged in a standard manner, and the boundary between the hyperplastic epithelial cells and the dermis is clear.

2. Immunohistological examination

The common lactate dehydrogenase anti-lactate dehydrogenase method shows the viral protein in the warts to confirm the presence of viral antigens in the warts. When the condyloma acuminatum protein is positive, a weak dark red positive reaction may appear in the superficial squamous epithelial cells of the condyloma acuminatum.

3. Tissue organic chemistry test

Take a small amount of lesion tissue for acid-fast staining, and use specific anti-human papillomavirus infection antigens for staining. If there is viral antigen in the lesion, the antigen and antibody will fuse. In the lactate dehydrogenase anti-lactate dehydrogenase method, the nucleus can be stained bright red. This method has good specificity and is relatively fast, which is helpful for diagnosis.

4. Acetic acid white test

Apply 3-5% glacial acetic acid to the wart for 2-5 minutes. The skin at the diseased site will turn white and slightly raised. Lesions at the anal opening may take 15 minutes. The acetic acid whitening test is very sensitive for detecting condylar warts. It is better than basic tests for observing histological changes. However, sometimes in cases of epidermal keratinization or traumatic abrasions, positive and positive skin whitening signs appear to have unclear and irregular boundaries. The British CDC reminds that the acetic acid whitening test is not a specific test and that positive results are more common.

HPV testing generally includes the several methods described in detail above. These methods are actually very common and we need to understand them clearly. If a man is diagnosed with HPV infection, we need to take it very seriously so that we can get stronger treatment. We need to understand them clearly.

Treatment for HPV infection in men

1. One method of treating HPV is laser treatment. This type of treatment usually uses CO2 lasers to burn HPV. This method is most suitable for warts around the vulva, genitals or anus. For rotating or small multiple warts, a one-time treatment is feasible. For multiple or large warts, 2-3 treatments are required.

2. What are the ways to quickly treat HPV? Electrocautery is a more reasonable method for treating HPV. Electrocautery is aimed at how to eradicate HPV. High-frequency electric needle or electric knife is used to remove the warts. The actual method is local anesthesia, followed by electrocautery. This treatment method is suitable for warts with a small number and a small total area. This method only removes the warts.

3. Surgical treatment of HPV is something we often hear about. For HPV patients, surgical treatment is more suitable for small warts. For very large HPV, surgical treatment can be used to remove them. During surgical treatment, the tumor must be refrigerated and cut into slices to check whether the damage has been removed cleanly.

4. Cryotherapy for HPV. This method uses ultra-low temperature liquid nitrogen at -196℃ and cryotherapy to treat HPV, which promotes the necrosis of wart tissue and causes it to fall off. This method is suitable for wet warts with a small number and a small area. It can be treated 1-2 times with an interval of one week. This method can generally eliminate warts.

Conclusion: We should all know the professional knowledge of male HPV testing. There are many treatment methods for male HPV infection. Generally speaking, couples can actively cooperate with each other in treatment, which may be better and faster. The above detailed introduction to the treatment methods of male HPV infection allows us to have a detailed understanding.