How to Recognize HPV in Men (Human Papillomavirus)

Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Most people with HPV do not even know they are infected. There are more than 40 types of HPV that affect the genital areas of both sexes. Some of these types may cause cancer, others may cause genital warts. In the majority of cases, the infection will clear up naturally over time. This article will help men recognize HPV, and seek medical help when needed.

Part 1

Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of HPV

1. 
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   Know that HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States. It is spread by skin-to-skin contact in the genital area and most often transmitted by vaginal or anal sex (but can also be transmitted via oral sex). You do not need to have intercourse specifically to become infected. Almost every person who is (or has been) sexually active will have the infection at some point in their lives. ^[1]

   • The reassuring thing is that there are over 40 strains of the HPV virus, and the vast majority of these are "asymptomatic" (meaning you will never know you have or had the infection). The majority of HPV infections also clear up on their own over the course of 1 to 2 years, as your immune system naturally fights them off.
   • Note that people can be infected with the HPV virus even if it has been years since they last had sex. ^[2] And, as previously mentioned, they may never have shown any signs or symptoms.
   • People can also have HPV even if they have only had one previous sexual partner. ^[3] The only way in which one would be sure of not having HPV is if they have never had sex before in their life.
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   Recognize signs and symptoms of HPV when they are present. There are some strains of HPV that cause genital warts, and some that cause cancer. However, as previously mentioned, these are rare compared to most strains of HPV which show no symptoms at all and are of no cause for concern. ^[4]

   • Genital warts are usually readily visible on the penis, the groin, the thighs, and/or around the anal area. There may be a single wart or multiple, they may be raised or flat, and they usually do not hurt. Some have a cauliflower appearance. Know that it could be weeks to months after being in contact with the infection (after a sexual experience causing infection) that warts may appear, so it is not something that develops immediately. ^[5]
   • To diagnose genital warts in males, doctors will usually inspect the genital area. Sometimes, doctors will apply vinegar to illuminate warts that aren't yet raised or visible.^[6]
   • Cancers that can arise in men as a result of the HPV virus include penile cancer, anal cancer, and/or cancer of the oropharynx (back of the throat, base of the tongue, and/or tonsils). These are quite rare, with 400 men diagnosed with HPV-related penile cancer, 1500 men diagnosed with HPV-related anal cancer, and 5600 men diagnosed with cancer of the oropharynx (which may or may not be related to HPV as it also arises from smoking and alcohol) annually in the United States. ^[7]
   • Note that anal cancer is not the same as colorectal (colon) cancer. Colon cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosis and is completely unrelated to the HPV virus. ^[8] There are routine screening tests for colon cancer that can be performed by your family doctor, and you can ask your doctor about this if you are interested in learning more about it.
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   Check for signs of anal or penile cancer, and/or cancer of the oropharynx. These include:

   • Anal cancer:
     
     • Bleeding, pain, or itching of the anus.
     • Discharge from the anus.
     • Swollen lymph nodes (lumps you can feel) in the anal or groin area.
     • Unusual bowel movements or a change in the shape of your stools.
   • Penile cancer:
     
     • At the onset you may notice a change in color, a thickening of the skin, or an enhanced mass of tissue on the penis.
     • Later you may see a growth or sore on the penis. Most often this affliction will be painless, but it may cause pain or it may bleed.
   • Cancer of the oropharynx:
     
     • Sore throat, voice changes or hoarseness, constant coughing, or pain or trouble swallowing or breathing.
     • Unexplained weight loss.
     • Lump or mass in the neck.
   • Note that all forms of HPV-related cancer may present with no symptoms, so the absence of symptoms does not exclude the diagnosis. However, it is rare (with a 1% prevalence of HPV warts or cancer in sexually active men) so with safe sex precautions (condom use, and careful selection of sexual partners) as well as self-examining your genital area and receiving "anal pap smears" (if this applies to you as a bisexual/gay/HIV positive man...more on this later) you will set yourself up for the best chances of good health.
4. 
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   Be aware of risk factors for HPV in men. Men who are gay or bisexual are 17 times more likely to develop HPV-related illness (warts or cancer). Fortunately, these conditions are rare, with 1% of the population of men who are sexually active exhibiting symptoms of HPV at any time. However, given the heightened risk for gay and bisexual men, many family doctors off what is called an "anal pap test." This is similar to the pap test that looks for cervical cancer in women (also an HPV-related cancer), but it checks the anus for men. ^[9]

   • Men with compromised immune systems (such as those with HIV/AIDS) are also at an increased risk of developing HPV-related warts or cancer. Therefore, many family doctors also offer the "anal pap test" to men with HIV/AIDS as well. ^[10]

Part 2

Seeking Medical Evaluation and Treatment When Needed

1. 1
   Be aware of the importance of self-examination to detect any HPV signs as early as possible.

   • For men, it is recommended to regularly examine your penis and genital area for any signs of warts and/or areas that look unusual on the penis. ^[11]
   • If you have any concern as to the appearance of your genital area, do not hesitate to see your doctor about it. They have plenty of experience screening for HPV-related lesions, and can either put your mind at ease about it or offer treatment sooner rather than later which reduces the chance of any long-term complications.
2. 
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   See your doctor for screening tests if this applies to you. ^[12]

   • There are no "standard screening tests" for men looking for HPV, other than for men who are gay, bisexual, or HIV positive. In these cases, it is recommended to see your family doctor for what is called the "anal pap test" - a screening test that is becoming more and more popular for men who fall into these categories.
   • Again, the benefits of detecting an HPV-related anal cancer earlier rather than later make treatment much easier, and the chances of cure much higher.
3. 3
   Receive necessary treatment from your doctor if you do have a diagnosis of genital warts of an HPV-related cancer.

   • For warts, treatment options include creams or ointments (such as Podofilox, Imiquimod, or Sinecatechins) which can be applied by you at home, or freezing (cryotherapy) or surgical removal by a physician. ^[13] Most cases of warts resolve within 3 months of treatment. Some people opt to watch and observe their warts, for some go away on their own (however, if your warts increase in number or worsen in severity, it is best to see your doctor for treatment).
   • For cancer, the treatment will depend upon the severity, as well as how early it was discovered. Treatments may include surgically cutting it out, or receiving radiation to the area, or chemotherapy in more complex cases. Seeing your doctor sooner rather than later will help prevent the need to go down this road as any concerns can be addressed from the outset.

   Source : wikihow.com
   

How to Recognize, HPV, Human Papillomavirus, men