Can men get HPV?

Many women are very worried when they are diagnosed with HPV infection. Some are suspicious of each other, and some are afraid to have sex for a year, which seriously affects the relationship between husband and wife. Many women also have such doubts: I am infected with HPV, can men get HPV?

1. Is HPV infection common among men?

HPV infection of various types is very common in the population. About 80% of women are infected with HPV at some stage in their lives. It is not possible to conduct a detailed assessment of men at this stage, and there is no large-scale scientific research on men at this stage. It is estimated that more than half of men will be infected with HPV at some stage in their lives. Reference literature shows that among women with HPV infection, the HPV positive rate that can be detected in their immediate family members is only 16%.

What is the reason for this? One reason is that HPV is more suitable for existing in a humid environment. HPV virus is not suitable for growing and developing around the male genitals because this area is not as humid as the female genitals. Even if there is HPV infection, the amount of virus infection is relatively small. Second, it is difficult to take samples around the male genitals, such as the coronal sulcus and urethral opening. Only a small number of samples can be obtained. If the precise measurement method is not flexible enough, the virus infection may not be detected.

2. Should men undergo HPV testing?

As mentioned above, 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 HPV positive rate in men is lower.

However, if there is such a standard, the immediate family members of HPV-infected women should be tested for HPV. However, at this stage, clinical testing for HPV infection in men is not widespread enough, and many hospital outpatient clinics do not perform this test.

3. What are the ways and main symptoms of HPV infection in men?

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. 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.